A Highland High Five

Visitors, locals and businesses have given a ‘high five’ to the range of events which took place as part of the Highland Homecoming celebrations during September and October.

Ranging from sporting events to music festivals, contemporary art to events celebrating Scotland’s rich heritage and tradition – the spotlight has well and truly shone on the Highlands with a wealth of record-breaking and memorable moments.

The Masters World Championships saw a record number of entrants for 2014 with Heavy athletes from across the globe gathering to compete at Bught Park, Inverness.  The Tomatin Toss event also celebrated gaining the new Guinness world record for simultaneous caber-tossing.

Visitors travelled far and wide to enjoy Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd) as it returned to Inverness for the first time in 17 years.  Over 3000 competitors took part in 200 competitions during The Mòd, whilst almost 100 Fringe events added to the electric atmosphere in Inverness.  The event is expected to have brought between £2.5 and £3million to the local economy.

The Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup also came home to Inverness as part of Highland Homecoming.  The event attracted the largest shinty crowd for many years to Bught Park as Glen Urquhart took on Kingussie for the chance to win shinty’s most coveted prize.  Over 5,000 spectators from across Scotland and beyond gathered in the Highlands with the perfect backdrop of the centre of Inverness, where the very first Camanachd Cup Final was held.  Many thousands more were entertained as the match was transmitted live on BBC 2, Radio Scotland and Radio Nan Gaidheal and broadcast online.

Nevis Range and the Leanachan Forest Trails saw over 150 racers from 23 different countries take part in the 2014 WEMBO World Solo 24hr Championships.  After 26 laps Australian racer Jason English was crowned World Champ for the 5th time.  New ladies World Champ was British born Kiwi racer Kim Hurst, who managed 24 laps and came in a very impressive 12th overall. 

The Highland Military Tattoo saw 350 performers entertain 2000 attendees each night, over three performances, with visitors attending from around the UK and as far afield as Japan, Brazil, France, Canada and the USA.

Crowds gathered to take in the sights and sounds of the Inverness Street Festival.  Audience research from the event showed that on average over the 3 days, 80% of people watching the shows came to the city centre specifically for the Festival rising to a phenomenal 87% on the Saturday.

Over 2700 attendees enjoyed a full and diverse programme at Homecoming Culloden including school choirs, traditional music and crafts, 18 local museum and heritage organisations and including a surprise performance by the Hellcats, the US Military Academy Band. 

Caithness Horizons Museum in Thurso celebrated unique Pictish and Norse Heritage culture with the Year of Ancient Ancestors Festival.  The event, which has had a number of events throughout the year has attracted over 10,000 visitors from as far away as Paris, Berlin, Zurich, Madrid, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said:
“The Highland Homecoming has celebrated our world renowned rich heritage and culture with visitors attending events from as far afield as Brazil or Japan. 

“It is evident how well the range of events have been received by locals and visitors alike with events drawing their biggest crowds in years and Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd) alone bringing in the region of £3 million for the local economy.

“Looking towards 2015 and beyond, there has never been a better time to capitalise on this increased awareness of Scotland.  That is why during 2015 our  second Year of Food & Drink, we will continue to build on this, working with our partners to promote Scotland’s outstanding natural larder and further develop Scotland’s reputation as a land of excellent produce.”

Angus Noble, Chairperson of The Inverness and District Bed and Breakfast Association, said,
“It was great to have so many extra events organised during the period of Highland Homecoming throughout September and October 2014.  From the World Sheep Dog Trials near Tain to the Royal National  Mod and all its wonderful fringe events – visitors to Inverness, Loch Ness and the Highlands had plenty choice of events to attend and be entertained. 

There was a fantastic buzz about the area and our members enjoyed good visitor numbers throughout September and October.  The big bonus over the two month period was that our visitors could be steered towards the many excellent Highland Homecoming events thus enhancing their experience of Inverness, Loch Ness and the Highlands and providing them with happy memories and experiences to take home and remind them of their holiday here. The icing on the cake was the good weather!”

Year of Homecoming events in the Highlands continue until the end of the year with the City of Inverness hosting the Red Hot Highland Fling (31 December).  Comedian Daniel Sloss will play Inverness (21 November) and Thurso (23 November). 

Kingussie will host Dance Away (14 – 16 November), a Christmas Festival (7 December) and Christmas Eve celebrations (24 December).

The world famous Land’s End to John O'Groats Reliability Trial and Tour. Open to classic cars built before 1984, the route will cover some of the most challenging and scenic roads in Scotland during 7 – 10 December.

Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries continue their ‘A Salmon’s Tale’ series with a focus on their conservation work on 29 November.