Half century reunion on the cards for former Inverness pupils
A REUNION call has gone out to former pupils of Inverness Royal Academy who trooped through the doors of the landmark old Academy building in Midmills Road for the first time – 50 years ago.
The anniversary celebrations will be held in the Highland capital later this month and ex-pupils from America and Australia are among those expected to attend.
The last reunion, in 1999, was considered a great success, and so it was decided to reach out to fellow pupils once more.
There are many living still in Inverness and in the surrounding area.
And members of the organising committee have also made contact with other former pupils scattered across the globe.
Teachers of that era have also been invited and several are likely to attend.
Some will have taught in two subsequent academy buildings since the class of ‘68-’74 left the "old" IRA building. The Midmills Road site was recently earmarked for retirement flats and also for an arts centre.
Notable pupils from 1968 include Iain Gray, ex-leader of the Scottish Labour party, and Lord Iain Armstrong, one of Scotland’s top law lords. Jimmy Chisholm, an actor of Take the High Road and Braveheart fame, and Ann Oram, internationally renowned artist, are also on the guest list. And on the sporting front there are two ex-footballers – former Caley and Rangers striker Billy Urquhart, and Dave Milroy, a former captain of Inverness Thistle.
Organising committee member Mr Urquhart said: "It promises to be a really good night and it’ll be great to catch up with folk we knew as youngsters 50 years ago. We’re hoping for a really good turnout."
The reunion is on Saturday, August 25, at 7pm at Fairways in Inverness.
