Kessock Bridge Closure

[changilass]

Just to let any one traveling know, the bridge will be closed on Saturday 12th from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Saw this signposted today and thought I would let you know just in case you happen to be going that way.

[Bill Fernie]

Yes the Kessock Bridge will be closed on Saturday night for two hours. This is because it is the setting for possibly the biggest fireworks display ever seen in the Highlands to mark the end of Highland 2007. There will be a parade from Inverness out to the Bridge. Plenty of vantage points all over Inverness and down by the water will see the fireworks.

[changilass]

Cheers for the explanation Bill. Hubby and myself werre wondering at the colsing times if it had been for maintenance, now it make sense.

[Highland Laddie]

Probably where the cash has gone instead of for the road gritting.
what an excellent use of our tax. NOT

[Mr P Cannop]

will there be a massed pipe bands ??

[orkneylass]

or dancing gritters?

[Anne x]

will there be a massed pipe bands ??
on front page of org it says pipes and drums

[starry]

It looks good




Highland Lights ~ Solais na Gaidhealtachd
12 January 2008 ~ 12 Faoilleach 2008
Inverness ~ Inbhir Nis
7.00pm Torchlight Procession from Huntly Street, near the Ness Bridge, Inverness
7.00f Caismeachd ri Lasair Lòchrain bho Shràid Hunndaidh, faisg air Drochaid Nis, Inbhir Nis
8.30pm Fireworks spectacular, Kessock Bridge
8.30f Cleasan-teine Miorbhaileach, Drochaid Cheiseig
On Saturday 12 January 2008, “An t-Seann Bliadhn’ Ùr” (The Old New Year), join with the people of Inverness for Highland Lights - Solais na Gaidhealtachd, the grand finale of the city’s Winter Festival (http://www.invernessbid.co.uk/).
Whether you’ve had a day in the shops at the January sales or perhaps dinner in town, make sure you get along to this fantastic extravaganza of music, fire and fireworks planned by Inverness to mark the close of Highland 2007, Scotland’s year of Highland culture.
Torchlight Procession
Wrap up warm for a fantastic magical, musical Torchlight Procession – and carry a flaming torch for charity! Buy a torch from The Highland Hospice, Barnardos and Friends of Arms (The MS Therapy Centre) at special market stalls in High Street and Huntly Street from 4.30pm on 12 January.
Along the route of the procession, pipes and drums, marching bands, street theatre and fire surprises will liven the way!
Fireworks
From the city centre, the procession will wind its way along the river towards the Kessock Bridge for a spectacular firework finale. Gather at the official viewing area on Longman Drive for the first ever pyrotechnic show to take place from the Kessock Bridge. Choreographed to music broadcast live on Moray Firth Radio, the fireworks promise one of the most impressive displays in the UK during 2008. Visible across the skies around the Beauly Firth!
Groupe F, Marseille-based internationally renowned specialists in large scale pyrotechnic shows, combine colours, rhythm and dramatic design to create intense and memorable displays – this world class display is one not to be missed!

This is an outdoor event featuring wax based torches – please dress appropriately. Wear warm clothing suitable for the weather conditions.
Subject to licence.
This event is free and suitable for all ages.
Created and produced by Unique events.
More details in press release (http://www.highland2007.com/default.aspx.locid-07lnew07y.htm).
To create a safe arena for the Highland Lights event, a number of traffic restrictions will be in place - see traffic information (http://www.highland2007.com/highland-lights-traffic-information.html) for more details.
Entertainment
Across the city of Inverness, an exciting programme (http://www.highland2007.com/highland-lights-events-in-inverness.html) of music and dance is on offer in hotels, bars, restaurants and other venues to round off your evening.
Highland Lights is one of many events taking place from 22 November to 12 January as part of Inverness Winter Festival. See www.invernessbid.co.uk (http://www.invernessbid.co.uk/) for full details.

[Boozeburglar]

It is being funded to the tune of £250,000 by the Inverness Common Good Fund, with a further £50,000 being added by Highland 2007 itself. There is a huge amount of controversy about the Common Good Fund being used in this way, and several ex Provosts of Inverness have spoken out against it.

Meanwhile there are vital projects within the community in Inverness, doing real good, that are facing closure save for a couple of hundred thousand.

The overwhelming majority of Inverness people I have encountered and discussed this with have been up in arms about such a huge waste of their money.

The whole Highland 2007 is seen as a fiasco here, sponsoring events merely to be able to use them as publicity.

I mean, Rock Ness? The first year it made a good profit, and the second year it needs money from Highland 2007? From OUR pockets?

It is some kind of sick joke.

And here they are sticking £300,000 of public money up in the air in twenty minutes.

And a torch lit procession along the river?

Rubbish, it is through building sites and an industrial zone.

[Bill Fernie]

In case there are still people who do not know what Highland 2007 was about you can still find out on the web site www.highland2007.com

A look at what the money was spent on overall might be helpful and the informaiton can be found at http://www.highland2007.com/Highland%202007%20Funding%20Offers%20of%20Award.pd f

It should be remembered that there was much private sponsorship involved as well as public money.

As an incomer to the Highlands I still remember well the arguments over the costs of the Edinburgh Festival in its early years. I hear little these days about the costs of the event that has multiplied into several festivals that take up a large part of the year and one of the biggest tourist events for people from Scotland, the UK and abroad. Wikipedia has short bit on the Edinburgh Festival at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_International_Festival. It might not be the same as Highland 2007 but it does show that in 2004 the spend might appear modest from the council for the huge benfits that Edinburgh undoubtedly has received over the past years since it began. Events and Festivals are big in almost every country for the major affect they can have on the economy. Highland 2007 is one way of tackling things and there will always be other ways of doing things.

An evaluation of the year is to be prepared and no doubt the succeess and not so successful ideas will be highlighted.

[Fran]

I would love to go to that, looks like it will be a spectacular show.

[Mr P Cannop]

what pipe bands will be there ??

[mareng]

or dancing gritters?

Quality! :lol:

[Bill Fernie]

what pipe bands will be there ??

The list of bands and performers taking part in Highland Lights includes -
Northern Constabulary Pipe Band
Charleston and Nairn Pipes and Drums
Ullapool and District Junior Pipe Band
Isle of Skye Pipe Band
Dingwall Royal British Legion Pipe Band
Ross and Cromarty Pipes and Drums School
Nairn Academy Musicians
Happyness Drum Circle
The Broch Inspectors - (ceilidh band)
Carrumba - (Samba drum band)
Commotion - (Samba drumming group)
Orkestra del Sol - (Carnival Brass Band)
Belenos - (fire poi)
Spirit of the Moment - (fire performers)

More details of the event at http://arts.caithness.org/article.php?id=435

[rhino]

shame im working, will be a fantastic sight!!

great vantage viewpoint on top of hill just above the bridge( ord hill).

great coverage of the bridge and the added fireworks at night would make some awesome photos.

[changilass]

Is there gonna be a webcam so we can at least watch the events from up here?

[Mr P Cannop]

is there anyone else going to this ?? if so could some one a video of this also ther massed pipe bands please ??

Thanks

[Mr P Cannop]

Yes the Kessock Bridge will be closed on Saturday night for two hours. This is because it is the setting for possibly the biggest fireworks display ever seen in the Highlands to mark the end of Highland 2007. There will be a parade from Inverness out to the Bridge. Plenty of vantage points all over Inverness and down by the water will see the fireworks.

mfr are doing a live broadcast for this as well as video

[Aaldtimer]

Millions left in festival coffers

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44219000/jpg/_44219653_h2007one203strachan.jpg Highland 2007 was launched and concluded in a blaze of fireworks

A council has still to spend more than £5m out of £6.8m it budgeted for a year-long arts and culture festival which ended on Saturday.
Just over £1.6m was spent on Highland 2007 up until 30 November.
Scotland's Highland Year of Culture climaxed with a torchlight procession and fireworks from the Kessock Bridge at Inverness.
A report to Highland councillors said some grants for community projects had not yet been completed and claimed. Thursday's education, culture and sport service committee will also be told the situation was also due to delays with Ferrycroft/Lairg Auction Mart, Sutherland Sports Facility and Caithness Regional Sports Facility. Slippage of an estimated £445,000 is expected into 2008/09.

This from BBC website. So why did they have to use the Inverness Common Good Fund to finance it?