Happy Blogging and thanks for being part of the Inverness Winter Festival.
NEWSFLASH
Dec 31st 1:30pm
(Picture by Simon Varley)
We are very sorry to announce that The Red Hot Highland Fling has been cancelled on the advice of Northern Constabulary due to the extreme weather which has arrived in the Highlands.
The main concern that we have is of course for the safety of our concert goers and those working at the event.
Sadly the difficulties that are currently being experienced by the spectators and performers heading for Inverness due to the closure or dangerous state of some of the roads around Inverness at the present time has made this an easy, but very painful, decision for us to make.
Unfortunately the only thing that we are unable to control during our Festival is the weather.
Despite this huge disappointment to everybody involved there is only one thing left to say ....
"Happy New Year Folks" ....we really did give it our best shot!
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After weeks of wonderful Winter Festival Fun, it is now time for the event that everybody has been looking forward to for month, The Red Hot Highland Fling which is guaranteed to bring our 2009 Winter Festival to an unforgettable climax.
] Headlined by Scotland's favourite Hogmanay Party band The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and featuring special guests Blazin Fiddles and Peatbog Faeries, it really doesn't get any better than this when it comes to a line up for a Hogmanay show.The news that three of Scotland’s favourite festival bands will be performing FREE at a family friendly show in Northern Meeting Park Arena has been greeted with delight across the Highlands and we look forward to welcoming everybody who is travelling from further afield to join us.
The Gates will open at 20:00 and the show will open at 20:30 with the award winning winning group, Blazin Fiddles , who will showcase the distinct flavour of fiddle music from various regions of the Highlands and Island in a fiery blend that is guaranteed to get the party off to a rousing start.
Blazing Fiddles will be followed by The Red Hot Chilli Pipers who went down a storm at the 2008 Inverness St Andrew’s Days celebrations.
Winners of BBC one primetime show ‘When Will I be Famous’ and voted ‘Live Act of the Year 2007’ at the Scots Traditional Music Awards, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have a huge following in the Highlands and are guaranteed to ensure that Northern Meeting Park is bouncing.
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are performing in the middle of our show by popular demand in order to give some of the younger citizens of Inverness the chance to experience the sights and sounds of a band that have to be seen to be believed.
Taking us to the bells and the Fireworks display that will explode over Northern Meeting Park to welcome in 2010 will be the Skye based Peatbog Faeries who are one of Scotland’s best known names in contemporary folk music.
Their music embodies many styles and influences, including rock, jazz, electronica, and folk - but their main influence is traditional celtic music. The band's unique sound is created through a mix of programmed effects and traditional celtic arrangements, played on bagpipes, fiddles, and whistles.
Councillor Glynis Sinclair of the Inverness Festivals Working Group said “We are absolutely delighted to have signed up The Red Hot Chilli Pipers , Blazin Fiddles and the Peatbog Faeries for our Hogmanay Party.
All three bands are guaranteed to ensure that Inverness is going to have one of the most enjoyable traditional Hogmanay parties staged in Scotland this year and we are really looking forward to what should be a tremendous night with a Red Hot Hogmanay Party atmosphere”.
Hope to see you all in Northern Meeting Park Arena for an unforgettable night.
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All the major outdoor events in the 2009 Inverness Winter Festival are sponsored by the Inverness Common Good Fund are free of charge .
You don't need to get a ticket in advance to get in to our free events. All you need to do is dress up warmly and turn up with a smile. Naturally if you have seriously overdone the pre-event cocktails, we reserve the right to refuse admission to you or the friend you are holding up.
All our events are family friendly gatherings and for those of you joining us for the first time we hope you will help us ensure that the younger members of community have a great time.
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The Ness Islands 2009 show on December 18th, 19th and 20th attracted over 10,000 visitors and delighted children of all ages. With temperatures falling to minus plenty special mention must go to everybody who performed at the event and worked so hard behind the scenes to create a Winter Wonderland that had to be seen to be believed.
There are scores of photographs in our Gallery and we would love to see the photographs that you took at this great event.
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On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December Santa and his reindeer hosted a wonderful party in Whin Park.Hundreds of families turned out to join in the fun and made this one of the most magical events in the whole Winter Festival. 
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Scottie says
"Yes the Loch Ness Monster does exist and she will be swimming in Loch Ness on both December 31st and January 1st as usual.
If you have a question that you would like answering about the Inverness Winter Festival please leave it here and we will get Scottie to answer it for you.
Scottie says
"No. Thanks to the members of the Inverness City Committee, this is a free event to which everybody is invited.
All you have to do is turn up at Northern Meeting Park Arena ready for the opening of the gates at 8pm dressed as warmly as possible.
You don't need tickets - just a great big warm smile is all we are looking for.
Remember this is a real family event so bring the wee ones and show them how Hogmanay should be celebrated!"
For the answers to more questions - click the comments link below
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The 2009 Hogmany Ecumenical Service will take place in historic St Andrew's Cathedral on the banks of the River Ness.
The annual Hogmanay Ecumenical Service is one of the most popular traditional events in the Winter Festival Calendar bringing together as it does the people of Inverness for an interdenominational service of thanks at the end of each year.
This year's Service will take the form of Choral Evensong and the Preacher will be Father James Bell from S. Mary's Roman Catholic Church Inverness.
Everybody is welcome to attend this Service and we hope that those of you visiting Inverness for the first time will take this opportunity to experience a service in our beautiful cathedral.
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FUNDRAISING CONCERT - THE IRONWORKS - THURSDAY DECEMBER 17th
The Friends of Inverness Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre have announced that Fest-Aid, the Winter Festival’s first ever fundraising concert which was held in the Ironworks in Inverness on December 17th has raised over £1000.
Hosted by DJ Andi Candoo, Fest-Aid was one of the few concerts ever staged where folk had the choice of paying to attend or not and thanks to the generosity of sponsors, The Ironworks and the Inverness Common Good Fund and the Inverness Festival together with a wonderful line up of talent, a great night was had by all.
Broch Inspectors
Canntaireachd Harmony Singing Group
Fèis a Bhàle
Fèis na h'Oige
Matthew Maclennan and Nicky McMichan
DJ Andi Candoo
Councillor John Holden said " I would like to thank everyone who supported Fest-Aid and help us raise such a wonderful amount. Thanks to the kindness of The Ironworks and the Inverness City Committee it has given the MS Therapy Centre a wonderful early Christmas present which I know will be appreciated by both the members and their families and the Centre's staff and volunteers!"
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Big Rory would like to apologise to the bus drivers of Inverness for Rudolph's behaviour.
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Inverness was filled with smiles when Big Rory and Rudolph hit town!
There are lots more pictures in our Festival Gallery
Don't forget to upload your pictures as well - we love seeing them!
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Santa joined Cllr Roy Pedersen to welcome the Victorian Market Model Railway back for the 2009 Winter Season on Saturday 28 November.
The model railway runs around a track high above the Inverness Victorian Market's shops and is one of the most popular children's favourites in Inverness
To discover more about the Victorian Market click on the link below
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Santa arrives by Rocket at Inverness Town House
The wonderful Gaelic Carol Singers of Coisir Og Inbhir Nis
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After two hugely successful years the third annual Highland Santa Run returns to Inverness on Sunday 29th November as part of the Inverness Winter Festival.
The 2008 Santa Run saw hundreds of people from across Inverness, the Highlands and Moray take part in this 5km fun run with a festive twist….all participants were dressed as Santa!
You can register to be part of the fun at the UK’s most northerly Santa Run now and we would love to hear what you think about one of the funniest events staged during our festival.
To find our more about the Santa Run or to register visit www.wilddayout.com or call 01667 458849
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Pudsey the Bear came to our Bonfire and Fireworks Display on November 5th to tell us all about the Spymasters Challenge which is taking place at the Ironworks on November 14th.
It sounds like it could be a lot of fun so please click on the link below for further details and good luck!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HZII4D5nYw
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