Festive Fun

Festive Fun FOR EVERYONE

Iain Ferguson The run-up to Christmas is certain to be a colourful and exciting time thanks to a small group which has been raising money and planning fun-filled events to celebrate the season and attract people into Fort William to enjoy the good cheer.

Organisers of the Fort William Festive Fund were thinking well ahead when it launched a social media fundraising campaign a few months ago with the aim of putting up Christmas lights in the High Street.

With the support of the public and local traders, the project has grown and in addition to the lights there will be events along the street with numerous competitions being run in several shops for great prizes as well as the fun of taking part.

Friday November 26 from 5.30pm is the time to get yourselves down to Fort William High Street in time for the festivities to begin, with many shops opening late to help you catch up with Christmas gifts of all kinds.

There will be live music in Cameron Square from musician and tutor Jillian Anderson’s band, along with students from her music classes on the peninsula, Lochaber Wind Band, Lochaber High School big band and dancers from Vicky Horn Dance, mulled wine and stollen at Black Isle Brewery and Santa’s Grotto, which has been sponsored by the Scottish Fair Trade Forum.

The forum has also provided funding for fair trade gifts for visitors, as well as some of the local grocery stores, which have pledged sweets to go in the gift bags. Talking Teacups is providing children’s entertainers along the High Street, there is facepainting in the Bookshop and Maddie will be at the cinema entertaining youngsters.

A raffle, featuring generous donations from local makers and businesses, will be drawn at 8pm.

In the past, Lochaber weather has been at its ‘best’ for many of these events, but no-one has ever been put off by it and still had the same fun and enjoyment of seeing the faces of youngsters bursting with excitement. Don’t miss it!