Sleigh bells ring around Inverness as Santa tours city neighbourhoods
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Excited youngsters across Inverness have been delighted by the sight of Santa visiting their streets in his special illuminated sleigh.
As well as bringing festive cheer, he and his elves are also helping to raise money for various good causes.
The socially-distanced visits have been made possible thanks to the help of Inverness Culloden Rotary Club.
Derek McRae, one of the members involved, said Santa's street visits had caused great excitement and there had been a great turnout.
"It has been phenomenal particularly among young parents who have been thanking us," he said.
"We have been getting lots of messages from grandparents, too.
"Santa's sleigh has not been done in Inverness for at least 30 years so for many people it is a new spectacle."
As the vehicle took to the streets, its lights were switched on by STV's Nicola McAlley.
The club has also delivered an early Christmas present to four local good causes – MFR's Cash for Kids, Culloden-based Adopt-a-Child, Wee Wild Hearts and Dream, Believe Achieve Highland which each received £250.
Santa will continue his visits around city neighbourhoods next week although planned visits to supermarkets at the weekend have been cancelled as coronavirus regulations do not make it feasible.
People can also check on the rotary club's Facebook page for any updates.
Sleigh times:
Monday December 14 – Inshes/Drakies:
5.30pm to 6pm – Drumossie Ave, Balvonie Crescent, Eastfield Avenue, Cuthbert Road, Drakies Avenue; 6pm to 6.35pm – Miers Avenue, Sycamore Crescent, Drumossie Avenue, Mason Road; 6.45pm to 7pm – Woodgrove Drive, Delness Road, Woodgrove Gardens; 7pm to 7.30pm – Briargrove Drive, Briargrove Crescent, Meadowfield Avenue, Cloverfield Road.
Tuesday December 15 – Slackbuie:
5.30pm to 6.25pm – Slackbuie Way, Morningfield Road, Earl Gate, Slackbuie Road, ends of Knocknagael and Ivy Crescent; 6.25pm to 7.10pm – Dukes View, Morningfield Place, Bramley Close; 7.10pm to 7.30pm – Orchid Avenue, Clover Crescent, Morningfield Road.
Wednesday December 16 – Slackbuie/Hilton:
5.30 pm to 5.55pm – Aignish Drive, Aignish Gardens, Banavie Gardens, Bracara Road; 6.10pm to 6.55 pm – Oldtown Road, Mackay Road; 6.55pm to 7.30pm – Cauldeen Road, Drynie Avenue, Temple Crescent, Druid Road, Aird Avenue, Temple Crescent, Old Edinburgh Road.
Thursday December 17 – Kinmylies/Wester Craigs:
5.30pm to 6.20pm – Polvanie View, Foresters Way, Bishops View, Ruighard Place, Great Glen House; 6.30pm – 7.10pm – Brudes Hill, Leachkin Road including ends of Lomond Way and Lomond Gardens; 7.10pm to 7.30pm – Stornoway Drive including ends of Bowmore View, Dunvegan Place and Lerwick Crescent.
Related story: Santa's sleigh routes in Inverness announced
