Highland Council’s decision to permanently axe the Red Hot Highland Fling Hogmanay party in Inverness has sparked strong reactions
News that Inverness's main Hogmanay party is no more has sparked a strong reaction among locals and visitors alike.
Highland Council confirmed this morning that the Red Hot Highland Fling has been scrapped altogether, having taken a break last year while work was being done on the Northern Meeting Park.
At the time it was anticipated that the event, which has been running since 2008, would be back again for 2025.
But the costs of putting on the ever-popular fixture of the Highland winter calendar began to raise doubts over its future earlier this year.
And the axe has now officially fallen - bringing a the curtain down on the party with a whimper instead of a bang.
Reaction from the community was swift, with comments ranging from sadness to anger that an area seemingly synonymous with Hogmanay might go without a big bash.
David Mackay said: "Capital of the Highlands and nothing on. What a joke."
“Absolutely raging this is no more,” said Orla Macrae. “The best bands took in the new year at this and folk from all over the world came to it… so much for culture and music of the Highlands… As a strong music/band gig goer I miss this event!!! Get decent bands like you used to in the Trad scene and I’m happy to pay for a ticket…”
David Nolan added: "We’ve gone to Inverness for Hogmanay for years. What’s the point now with no focus for New Year celebrations? Surely the money it brings in to the city plus a reasonable charge could make it work?"
And Kenny Day also lamented the news, adding: "Inverness should be the UK's Hogmanay Central bringing in much needed winter income to the area."
Highland councillor Jackie Hendry meanwhile, said then news was sad but that costs and health-and-safety rules had made the event financial unsustainable.
"In recent years new health and safety regulations have meant that we've had to reduce capacity from up to 10,000 to 4000," she said. "With increased insurance costs it meant it could no longer be viable. We've explored so many options to have a Hogmanay event, as we will miss it as much as the wonderful public who have attended and made it such a great night."
Other comments pointed people in the direction of other musical events being put on by local nightspots in the run-up to Hogmanay this year.
Fraser McLean flagged up An Seòmar's plans for December 28, featuring Dr Wook and the Hollow Pines, alongside other support acts.
While Graeme Liv highlighted a newly-announced Oasis tribute band night, also in An Seòmar, on December 30.
Others such as Elaine EM Wattson, meanwhile, questioned if the Highland Capital was big enough to make such events pay their way.
She said: “Inverness isn’t big enough plain and simple. It’s called city but it’s a poor, poor city...”
And Karen Campbell hit out at the reasons for the cancellation, saying: “What a load of excuses. What was the point in spending all that money on the Northern Meeting Park if it can’t be used for the purposes like this? Inverness council are a joke. We don’t even have Xmas markets either. It’s a bland performance as usual.”
What do you think of the news? Do you agree with any particular points? Do you think the problem stems from something else? Email newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk.