Surge in Inverness Hogmanay ticket sales led to bar woes – and queues of 'over an hour'
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As the anticipation for the grand Hogmanay celebration soared in Inverness, an unforeseen surge in ticket sales created an unexpected challenge for bars and revellers alike.
The city buzzed with excitement as enthusiastic attendees flocked to join the festivities on Sunday night. However, the overwhelming and unforeseen demand led to bar woes, with queues meaning some people claimed they waited over an hour to be served.
Callum Murdoch said: "The organisation on Hogmanay night with regards to the bar was nothing short of a disgrace.
"People were in a good mood arriving at the event and it’s fine, I get it, if I was organising an event like that too I’d also put security on and make people pay for drink in the event.
"However, we queued for an hour and 10 minutes to get to the bar, where we were eventually met with two gazebos and about six people serving drinks.
"We managed to get out just before the bells, however others were still queuing at that point."
Anne Mawdsley also went to the Red Hot Highland Fling at the Northern Meeting Park. She said: "I felt so sorry for the five bar staff trying to cater for this event. They were subjected to the irritation of people who had to queue for over an hour and miss the event during this time.
"I didn't mind paying the entry fee, but expected better than that."
An unforeseen surge in ticket sales took attendance to nearly 4000 people.
The bar was run by Edinburgh-based Sips.
Bruce MacGregor, who was involved in the event, said: "The team that operated the bar based their bar space and staff numbers on ticket sales just prior to the event.
"Coupled with the fact that a number of local staff let them down, it meant they were stretched.
"On the day itself the ticket sales almost doubled. By this stage it was impossible for the bar team to increase or indeed find staff.
"It's an easy fix.
"The event worked an absolute treat in terms of bringing people together – youngsters and families dancing their socks off and getting their rest during some sensational performances from the best traditional artists in the land.
"It's the one time of year we can really celebrate traditional Scottish music and song and every one of the acts did that. It felt really inclusive and loads of fun.
"I've never seen so many people ceilidh dancing – it was a joy to watch.
"I think we've actually started some 'new traditions' with the parade through the city, the drummers, the fire display groups and the idea that a massive ceilidh can work."
