Gladiator star Russell Crowe forced to decline chance of appearing at Inverness Highland Games this summer
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe has declined an offer to perform with his band at this summer’s Inverness Highland Games.
The Gladiator actor only recently confirmed he would be taking his Indoor Garden Party tour, featuring The Gentleman Barbers and Lorraine O’Reilly, to the city at Eden Court Theatre on July 26.
But hopes have faded that the Australian was set to make it a double bow in the Highland capital by giving the thumbs up to an invitation from Inverness and area provost Glynis Campbell Sinclair to attend the big Bught Park event on July 13.
Crowe, who in January claimed Lovat Fraser ancestry, has let the Highland councillor know that he has a pre-booked date in Italy to fulfil on that date.
Provost Campbell Sinclair said: “It’s great that Russell Crowe will be playing at Eden Court, what a fantastic draw for the venue.
“There has been much interest locally and internationally since his announcement that he was coming to Inverness.
“While it is unfortunate that it appears he had pre-booked Italy before knowing the date of the Inverness Games, I am still delighted that he is coming to Inverness and performing at Eden Court.
“There have been many comments on social media about his gig in Inverness with people booking flights and accommodation, so this is great news for the city.”
In January, Crowe revealed that investigations into his family tree had shown he was a direct descendant of Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat – the last man beheaded in The Tower of London.
The historic clan's traditional lands lie in the Beauly area and along Loch Ness.
The following month, Crowe sparked a frenzy of interest internationally across social media by suggesting that he might appear in Inverness with the band.
He said online: “What about a gig in Inverness? Any Fraser of Lovat relatives want to come?”
That prompted the provost to issue a video invitation to the Aussie inviting him to bring his band to the city’s Highland Games.
Crowe’s confirmation that he would play Inverness in July seemed to suggest he was on for the date, but that possibility has been wiped out by his European tour schedule.
