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Having received funding from Awards for All and The Highland Culture Programme, the group of volunteers behind the award-winning ‘Sea Cromarty Sparkle’ in 2007, spent many months throughout 2009 creating a programme of events with the intention of welcoming ‘home’ family and friends to Cromarty. On the days leading up to the 31st, folk flocked to attend the popular Homecoming Ceilidh, Treasure Hunt, Beach Clean Up, Cruiteran by Candlelight classical concert and Singalong Grease movie night. On Hogmanay itself, 250 people braved the difficult early evening weather, to take part in a ‘Torchlight Procession of Wishes’, culminating in a ceremony at the iconic Emigration Stone on the Links. A ‘Homecoming Beacon’ was lit at the Harbour as a symbol of welcome to those coming home and spectacular projections featuring local art works, the primary school children and locals from the town’s two pubs, courtesy of Evanton’s ‘Arts in Motion’, were beamed onto the Royal Hotel and Cromarty Arms. The late evening saw the sleet come to an end and a crowd of around 200 gather at the Homegrown Stage down by the Harbour to enjoy live music from local talent, Piggery Spur, Phil Graham, Iain Hogg and piper, Angus Binnie. DJs ‘Binnie & Hogg’ kept everyone moving with their collection of classic pop tunes and the Countdown Clock, Homecoming Beacon and ‘Best Wishes’ fire sign heralded in 2010. Deemed the highlight of the five days, the inaugural ‘Cromarty Splash & Dash’ took place on the morning of January 1st with an incredible 28 locals and tourists, many of whom wore fancy dress, running over the snowy sands and into the sea to the delight of the watching crowd. Unfortunately, the roads were deemed too slippy to allow the ‘dash’ round town to proceed. Salsa North provided the perfect warm-up and entertainment. A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped out with all the events — both in the run-up and on the days. Your efforts were greatly appreciated.
You can re-live this event by checking out this YouTube clip and many others. Further images can be found on the Cromarty Archive, including these of the Splash & Dash. You can still send one of these four specially designed ‘Wish You Were Here’ Cromarty postcards, by clicking on the image and filling in the form. Hogmanay may be over but Cromarty is still THE place to be!
This text should be replaced by a video of the Cromarty Homcoming.
Video by Keir Robertson
Ag Aithneachadh Prògram Cultar na Gàidhealtachd |
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