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Bah Humbug! Inverness Christmas light switch-on ceremony cancelled by Highland Council

Inverness's Christmas light switch-on event in 2015. Image: Gordon Lennox / DC Thomson
Inverness's Christmas light switch-on event in 2015. Image: Gordon Lennox / DC Thomson

Inverness’s Christmas light switch-on ceremony will not go ahead this year.

Highland Council has said it “intends to” put up a Christmas display in the centre, and lights can already be seen hung through the streets.

However, the big switch-on will not be celebrated with a community event.

The council said the reason for this was rising costs and the capacity needed to deliver such a celebration.

In previous years, Inverness’s light switch-on events have had people lining the streets of the city to watch a torchlight parade and join in with a carol service.

Christmas lights in Inverness in 2014. Image: Sandy McCook / DC Thomson.

When it was last held in 2019, Inverness councillor Bet McAllister said “the Christmas lights torchlight procession is one of the most popular events in our winter festival programme”.

Similar events could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions.

In Aberdeen, crowds will gather on Sunday to see the lights go on and Elgin will host a similar event on November 26.

Christmas lights across the Highlands

Community councils and groups outwith Inverness will be responsible for deciding whether they will hold ceremonies.

A spokeswoman from the council has confirmed there will be no “switch-on ceremony” in Inverness this year.

She said: “At this time, it is intended to have a Christmas display in the city centre of Inverness, which is funded by the Inverness Common Good Fund as has been the case for many years.

“In all other parts of the Highlands, community councils / community groups have been responsible for funding Christmas/festive lights in their areas.”

Highland Council has not yet shared any more details about festivities taking place across the region.

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