PICTURES: Community spirit knitted together for Christmas in Nairn
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A Nairn group has surpassed all expectations this year with a wonderful Christmas display of handmade postbox toppers.
An annual tradition for the town, the Christmas trail crafted by the Yarnbombers Nairn has proven a real success in the community.
From the traditional nativity scene to frolicking penguins, festive mice, cheeky Grinch, snowmen, Santa, knitters went above and beyond to decorate the town with 17 toppers.
Caroline Mackay, who started off the Yarnbombers group in Nairn, said: "I think this years pieces are amazing with a continued freshness and multitude of different ideas, always something new to look at.
"One particular topper holds very significant memories to Ann Forsyth, a member of Yarnbombers Nairn. It's the stunning nativity scene at the Showfield. Her late mother made the nativity for Ann many years ago and it has been used in school classes, her own children and grandchildren but, over time, pieces were lost or damaged as it lay up in the loft.
"Ann decided to remake/repair and even add to now show this stunning nativity in memory of her late mother."
The initiative has been growing year on year since its inception during the pandemic, said Caroline.
"The community support is stronger than ever with more and more becoming appreciative of the the efforts undertaken by the team to bring some joy, smiles and bit of fun into our town," she said.
"We get a lot of stories about people loving the toppers and sending photos to family/friends all over the world. This is like magic for the team as it gives a huge sense of how our creations are affecting people. This year's Facebook page has seen a massive increase to 10K hits for Christmas!
"This year we added a QR code to our Christmas map for the Highland Hospice to try and see if could generate donations to help their local good work."
This year the group has also created a colourful Christmas tree for the community, currently situated outside the Nairn Community Centre.
"This has been a dream of mine – to take part in making knitted or crocheted squares for a Christmas tree. When we started the process, I had no idea just what a big undertaking it would be!
"First, we needed to find a handyman willing to design and make the gracious framework. Secondly, we needed someone able to sew a cover for the frame. Fortunately, Ann Forsyth helped with this.
"Then it was time to sew and sew and sew hundreds of squares together in such a manner that it would all fit together like a "made to measure" overcoat.
"We relied heavily on Alistair Forsyth for a lot of working out and hands on at every stage. It is hoped the tree will be out on public display for many years to come, allowing a sense of community and coming together."
The Christmas postbox toppers will be on display around Nairn until December 31st.
