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Inverness prepares to party as stars begin to arrive at Castle Stuart

Former champion Edoardo Molinari was among the first golfers to arrive at Castle Stuart
Former champion Edoardo Molinari was among the first golfers to arrive at Castle Stuart

Inverness is preparing to party with visitors beginning to head north for this weekend’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

The Highlands are expecting to welcome about 70,000 spectators to the competition at Castle Stuart.

The first star names began to arrive at the course yesterday to get a feel for the fairways ahead of competition getting underway in earnest on Thursday.

And the city centre of nearby Inverness has been spruced up to welcome visitors.

A carnival atmosphere is expected with live music and street performances due to be hosted as part of the Bunkers Festival in the city centre.

Inverness Bid manager Mike Smith promised a “warm welcome” to all visitors, saying that the city’s businesses were set to embrace the event with many expected to stay open late.

He said: “We’ve set up banners on the High Street and a banner across Academy Street to welcome everybody into the city centre.

“We’ve encouraged businesses to embrace it and I think they’re all really looking forward to the next few days.

“We’ll also have people out at Castle Stuart to welcome people.”

He added: “It’s a win-win for us, it’s great to have such a prestigious event back in the area.”

The Bunkers Festival will feature street performers including the Highland Salsa Band, the Fraser School of Highland Dance and the City of Inverness Pipe Band performing with many others between Thursday and Saturday.

Highland Council’s Inverness city manager David Haas said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open back to Castle Stuart.

“It’s great that it is back again and we’re very keen to make it a big success.”

This summer is the first time that the Scottish Open has returned to Castle Stuart since 2013.

The first players arrived at the course on the shores of the Moray Firth to get a feel for the fairways ahead of the competitive action teeing off on Thursday.

Among the first stars to arrive at the course was 2010 champion Edoardo Molinari and the American tour pro Steve Stricker.

Also arriving was former Ryder Cup player JB Holmes – although he was without some of his important kit.

He took to social media on arrival to say: “Just landed in Scotland for the Scottish Open and my clubs are missing… I kind of need them this week..”