Badenoch and Strathspey communities are the latest in Highland to be told how much money they are likely to need to fund their Christmas displays this year.
Nethy Bridge tops the table at £3000, with council officers revealing that the village has 44 lights, more than Aviemore, which must find around £1750.
Grantown needs to find £1,800, while Cromdale must find £1,600.
Local councillors yesterday discussed a report yesterday setting out the council’s estimated funding costs for their communities now that it has withdrawn the £35,000 budget for the delivery of Christmas lighting.
The report says larger displays such Grantown require the use of platform access vehicles and licensed specialist-trained operators, skills that other communities could, ‘with planning and support’ also secure, with Grantown as an example.
Health and Safety guidelines for communities are at final draft stage, councillors were told.
Councillor Bill Lobban said: “I’ve spoken to Aviemore and they have said they’re taking over the service themselves, with assistance.
“Loads of communities already do it themselves, and those that don’t will learn from those that do.”
The council says for the moment it doesn’t intend to charge for the electricity used in displays.
Council officers say the future intention is to arrange a framework tender to offer the Inverness Common Good and other communities a contracted facility for the erection and removal of Christmas lighting decorations.