Inverness Highland Games programme will be 'very special' say organisers

A MASS Highland fling at the upcoming Inverness Highland Games has been forecast to be the event’s biggest ever.

Organisers at Highland Council believe many participants will be fundraising for city three-year-old Sam Douglas, who suffers from an undiagnosed neurological condition that causes epilepsy and developmental delay.

Thousands of pounds of donations have gone toward specialist therapies thanks to the Step Up For Sam campaign.

The team behind US TV show Expedition Unknown will also be at the event in Bught Park on Saturday.

A council spokeswoman said: "The show’s host Josh Gates is expected to join hundreds of spectators in the opening ceremony’s mass Highland fling, which looks likely to be the biggest ever staged as it will feature a number of locals who are taking part to raise funds for three-year-old Sam Douglas, who requires specialist medical care."

The spectacle is part of a busy schedule, which includes a variety of new additions.

The programme will start with the Inverness Gala evening on Friday which features the Inverness Wheelbarrow Grand Prix organised by Inverness Culloden Rotary Club, and performances in the High Street by the City of Inverness Pipe Band, the Elizabeth Fraser School of Highland Dancing and members of the Inverness Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Association.

There will be a parade across Ness Bridge to Northern Meeting Park at 7pm where the Highlands Strongest Man and Strongest Woman Championships organised by the Forge Gym will take place.

A big crowd is expected because spectators who buy their games tickets next Friday will be able to see the strength competitions for free.

Crew from Italian TV show The Alternative Olympics will also be on hand next Friday and Saturday.

Dan Carlin will try to retain his title in the Inverness Highland Games, which will climax with the Stonemason’s Stone event.

The biggest addition to the programme will see the Show and Shine Inverness car show, organised by 2K Custom, make its debut in the show field. More than 100 cars are set to be on display near the Clan Village, Exclusively Highlands Craft Fair, Horne’s Fun Fair, the Traders Village, a sports zone, Armed Forces displays and the solo piping competitions organised by the Inverness Piping Society.

To mark the Year of Young People, a series of races for under-5s has been added to the listings.

The first Inverness Gigs Presents musical showcase will take place in the Clan Village from 6pm. The show will feature four of the top young emerging bands in the Highlands and organiser Chris Lemon has ensured that musically the showcase has something to suit all tastes.

To add to the musical offering, the Gathering Tent will host traditional folk music in the afternoon before becoming the venue for the first games day party organised by the Highland Capital’s Polish community in the evening.

Games chieftain Provost Helen Carmichael said: "Our expanded programme is the result of many months of work to create something very special indeed. I would like to thank the many local competitors, performers and volunteers for their tremendous efforts in helping pull it all together.

"The games provides a wonderful opportunity for us to highlight the very best that we have to offer, while delivering a much appreciated and significant boost to our city’s profile and economy."

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