Hundreds of Inverness students were celebrating yesterday after years of hard work and dedicated study paid off.
More than 250 Inverness College UHI students graduated in a ceremony at Eden Court Theatre yesterday in front of friends and family.
Graduates were celebrating successfully achieving a range of qualification – from HNC and HND to degrees and PhDs.
Among the students graduating was Holly Fraser, 21, who achieved a first class honours degree in architectural technology.
She will be flying out to New York later in the year to take up a position with Turner Construction, as part of an ongoing link between the college and the global firm.
She said: “I’m very lucky to be getting the opportunity, I can’t wait.
“It’s not the kind of thing you might think of when you think about the college so I’m very grateful.”
She graduated alongside classmates including Michael Van’t Zand, 25 from Kiltarlity and Adam Wylie, 25, from South Ronaldsay in Orkney who also gained first class degree in architectural technology.
Also with the ground before the ceremony yesterday was Mark Paulin, 21 from Inverness, who achieved a degree in sports management and is set to take up a position with High Life Highland.
During the ceremony students also presented the Highlands and Islands Student Association teaching award to business lecturer Tara Morrison, whilst guests heard from Inverness-born guest speaker Moray Macdonald, managing director of public relations firm Weber Shandwick Scotland and chair of the Board of Trustees for Scouts Scotland.
Diane Rawlinson, principal and chief executive at Inverness College UHI, said: “Each year more and more young people choose to study with us at Inverness College UHI, benefitting from our close relationships with industry and of course our superb new facilities.
“The achievements we have marked today are testament to the talent and hard work of our graduates. I am proud of their achievements and very much looking forward to hearing about their future career success.”
Following the ceremony, staff, students and guests joined a procession led by mace bearer Martin Whyte from Inverness College UHI.
The procession left the theatre and followed the River Ness along Ness Bank to the Three Graces statue
This was followed by a celebratory reception at the Inverness College UHI building at Inverness Campus on the outskirts of the city.