Christmas crazy Highland family celebrate dazzling 25-year festive tradition

A CHRISTMAS-daft family are shedding light on a milestone celebration of their own this festive season .

It started off in 1997 as a couple of sets of lights illuminating 1 Viewfield Road in the royal burgh of Tain.

John Gregory and his Dad Fergus gradually built up an impressive display year on year which gained hundreds of visitors over the festive season.

Since leaving home in 2006, the display has continued with John carrying on the tradition with his wife Dawn and two sons Andrew (12) and Archie (11).

His kids both love the lights and look forward year on year to seeing what new decorations emerge, the Asda home delivery driver said. "Although trying to recruit them both to help put them up is a somewhat difficult challenge!"

Now located at 23 Jubilee Drive in Tain, and with many lights added, the display boasts over 10,000 individual lights and many inflatables to wow children and adults alike.

They are on every night, weather depending.

Mr Gregory said: "We love putting on the display every year and it's always nice to hear the lovely comments from everyone. We are huge fans of Christmas and don't see us stopping the display any time soon!"

Asked the inevitable question about his energy bill given the current climate, he said: "Yes there's been a noticeable increase but because they're only on from 4pm to 8pm weekdays and till 9pm weekends. We reckon it's adding an extra £20 to £25 a week to the normal bill. Yes, a fair bit extra but having done the display for so many years it's a cost we factor in every year and it's worth the amount for the delighted faces of youngsters and adults alike.

"And also there's the fact we ourselves love how the display has changed and grown. It's gets us in the festive mood!"

Do you have a festive lights display in Ross-shire you would like to share to help put a smile on some faces this Christmas? Get in touch by emailing newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk

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