What's on in Inverness and the Scottish Highlands

February

Blood Brothers - Monday 15th ~ Saturday 20th ~ Empire Theatre ~ Inverness

It has spent over 21 years in the West End of London and is loved by millions across the world. This year Blood Brothers makes a welcome return to the Highlands. This legendary musical follows the timeless tale of twins separted at birth who grow up on opposite sides of the tracks only to meet again with tragic consequences.

Admission: Ticket prices vary with dates and times.

Contact: Eden Court Theatre Inverness on 01463 234 234

April

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival ~ Thursday 29th - Monday 3rd May ~

Themed on Whisky, Food, Music and the Heritage & Culture of Speyside, the 2010 Festival will offer a wide array of quality events. All is local Distilleries participate in what will be another specacular event. Local highlights include; Whisky & Chocolate at Gordon and PacPhails in Elgin on 29th & 30th April, Knockomie Whisky Tasting and Goumet Dinner on 30 April and the Benromach Experience on 1st May. Please visit the Spirit of Speyside website for full details about all the events taking place.

Admission: Varies with each event

Contact: www.spiritofspeyside.com

May

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival ~ Thursday 29th - Monday 3rd May ~

Themed on Whisky, Food, Music and the Heritage & Culture of Speyside, the 2010 Festival will offer a wide array of quality events. All is local Distilleries participate in what will be another specacular event. Local highlights include; Whisky & Chocolate at Gordon and PacPhails in Elgin on 29th & 30th April, Knockomie Whisky Tasting and Goumet Dinner on 30 April and the Benromach Experience on 1st May. Please visit the Spirit of Speyside website for full details about all the events taking place.

Admission: Varies with each event

Contact: www.spiritofspeyside.com

Forres Theme Day ~ Sunday 2nd ~ Grant Park, Forres

Forres will play host to a collection of some of the finest veteran, vintage and classic vehicles from throughout Scotland. With music, entertainment and various side stalls, this annual celebration of motoring nostalgia is a fantastic day out for all the family.

Admission: Free

June

Nairn Book and Arts Festival ~ Saturday 5th - Sunday 13th ~ Nairn

Now in it's 7th year and never just about books, this community festival includes music events and art exhibitions as well as book sales and signings, in venues throughout the town. An estimated 2000 people visited the various events and exhibitions each year. Writers, artists, musicians and playwrights display their talents and local people, young and old, participate in writing competitions, poetry writing and painting workshops. Three photographic exhibitions also add to the variety of the week.

Contact: www.nairnfestival.co.uk

Burgie International Horse Trials ~ Thursday 17th ~ Sunday 20th ~ Burgie

The Burgie Horse trials are a big international event with rider from all over the world competing. A day for everyone with classes for locals as well as top class riders.

Contact: www.burgie.org

July

Forres Highland Games ~ Saturday 10th ~ Grant Park, Forres

The 82nd Forres Highland Games takes place in the beautiful natural amphitheatre of Grant Park Forres. There is a packed programme of traditional heavy events, highland dancing, solo piping, pipe bands, athletics 10K road race, cycling including unique message bike races and that stirring sight of the massed pipe bands. There will be plenty to entertain everyone including sideshows for the younger members of the family.

Contact: www.forreshighlandgames.fsnet.co.uk

Festival of Sacred Dance, Music and Song ~ Saturday 10th - Saturday 17th ~ Findhorn Foundation

A week-long event hosted by the Findhorn Foundation in the beautiful Universal Hall. Sacred / Circle Dance brings together traditional dances from around the world and contemporary choreographies. The dances range from joyful and fun to inward-looking and meditative. Findhorn has been home to these dances for more than 30 years and we continue to share their transformational and healing power.

Contact: www.findhornfoundation.org

Inverness Highland Games ~ Saturday 24th ~ Bught Park, Inverness

Part of the Inverness Summer Festival. Founded in 1822 our Games are one of the most spectacular traditional Gatherings staged in Scotland. A wonderful mixture of new attractions and traditional events ensures that the City of Inverness Highland Games is always one of the highlights of any summer in the Highlands. As usual the heart of the City of Inverness Highland Games will be the traditional Heavy athletic events, the Highland Piping competitions and the Highland Dancing competitions

Contact: www.invernesshighlandgames.com

Inverness Highland Tattoo ~ Monday 26th - Saturday 31st ~ Northern Meeting Park, Inverness

It may not be as big as the world-famous Edinburgh Tattoo, but the annual Inverness Military Tattoo is the Highlands' only tattoo and has been running for just as long: both were first held in 1950. Performers march nightly to the park from Inverness Castle over the River Ness. Joining the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps, will be a host of visiting bands and display teams, the Golden Lions Parachute Display Team (weather permitting), the Imps Youth Motorcycle Display Team, the Highland Tattoo Dancers and Military Bands.
All in all, not only exciting and breathtaking, but also colourful, spectacular, noisy and, most importantly, unmissable.

Admission: Grandstand £10; outside £8; family & concessions tickets available

Contact:  www.tattooinverness.org.uk

August

Nairn Highland Games and Half Marathon ~ Saturday 21st ~ Nairn

A full programme of track and field events is complemented by the traditional competitions for the heavies, and piping and Highland dancing classes.  Another popular event on the programme is the Nairn Games Half Marathon. The links amphitheatre provides an outstanding setting for the event and the adjoining links are packed with the Showies (the travelling fair) which start arriving a fortnight before games day.

Contact: www.nairnhighlandgames.co.uk

Nairn & District Club Flower Show 

A very popular show in recent years with a high standard of entries. There are exhibits of flowers, fruit & vegetables, as well as homebaking & craftwork and is open to adults & children. This year six local primary schools will be taking part in a Pallet Garden competition.

Contact:

September

Moray Marathon ~ Sunday 5th ~ Elgin Sports Centre

3 in 1 running event incorporating the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k road races through the picturesque landscape of Moray.

Marathon - 9.30am
Half Marathon and 10k - 11am

Contact: 01343 543736

Admission: For entry fees and further information please contact Nicky Nash on 01343 543736

Autumn Whisky Festival ~ Friday 24th - Monday 27th

Dufftown is rich in the tradition of whisky - it has nine distilleries among a population of just 1,800. This concentration is reason enough for a four-day festival of whisky tours and tastings, ceilidhs, dinners and many other events. Distillery tours include a chance to see inside Glenrothes, Glen Spey and others which are not normally open to the public. A small loyal band of festival followers take part in competitions such as the whisky-knowledge test, The Whisky Game, and the International Malt Whisky Nosing Competition.

Contact: www.spiritofspeyside.com  /  www.dufftown.co.uk/whiskyfestival