A new holiday tradition brought the community together in Inverness ahead of Christmas.

The Eastgate Santa's Grotto, which captivated the hearts of families in its inaugural year, is set to become a holiday tradition, bringing smiles to the faces of children and adults alike.

This year the Eastgate Centre have teamed up with Highland Action for Little Ones (HALO) , TFX Performing Arts Academy and FitKidz to organised a "Pay It Forward" Day at the Santa's Grotto

The event is designed exclusively for children who may face barriers preventing them from experiencing the joy of a visit to Santa before Christmas.

Mel Thomson from HALO, expressed their enthusiasm for contributing to such a meaningful cause.

She said: "The joy that the Santa's Grotto brings to our community is truly heartwarming. We at HALO are delighted to be a part of this 'Pay It Forward' Day, ensuring that every child, regardless of circumstances, can share in the festive magic."

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Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their dedicated team of elves have embraced the Christmas spirit by generously volunteering their time to make this day extra special for each and every child who attended.

Eastgate Centre manager Chris Kershaw conveyed heartfelt thanks to the families who have visited the Santa's Grotto and who have shown support in its first year.

They expressed a sense of privilege in extending the Christmas spirit through the 'Pay It Forward' Day, recognising the importance of inclusivity and spreading joy to those who may need it most.

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