WATCH: Green electricity project, Hydro Ness, in Inverness lit up in red and blue to commemorate the 276th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden
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A green electricity project in Inverness was lit up in red and blue to mark the 276th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden.
Hydro Ness, next the Holm Mills bridge on the banks of the River Ness, and Ness Bridge in the city centre were lit up as part of a programme of events at the weekend to commemorate the historic event which marked the end of the Jacobite Rising.
Events, including a special tour exploring the tactics and the impact of the conflict on local communities, were also held at Culloden Battlefield itself.
Malcolm Macleod, executive chief officer infrastructure, environment and economy at Highland Council, was thrilled to see Hydro Ness illuminated to acknowledge the anniversary of the Battle of Culloden.
The Hydro Ness project generates and supplies over 500,000 kwh of green electricity annually to nearby Inverness Leisure, helping to offset the organisation’s reliance on grid-supplied electricity and reducing the council’s carbon footprint.
"Lighting Hydro Ness to help raise awareness or to celebrate events is something I am keen to see continue," Mr Macleod said.
"Not only does it make the city and river area unique, it also helps enhance its natural beauty through vivid lighting displays."
Visit Inverness Loch Ness Tourism Business Improvement District provided £7000 in funding for the Hydro Ness scheme.
Michael Golding, chief executive of Visit Inverness Loch Ness, said: "Hydro Ness is a piece of architectural and engineering art that provides an opportunity for visitors to interact with our renewable energy sector.
"Having it and Ness Bridge lit up to commemorate the Battle of Culloden – an event that is ingrained in our area’s history - is something very special."
Raoul Curtis-Machin, operations manager at Culloden Battlefield, was delighted to welcome visitors back.
"We had a packed schedule of talks, tours and events over the weekend, both in-person and online, which were very well-received," he said.
"And this weekend was just the beginning as we gear up for a bumper return to international tourists."
More information on Culloden Battlefield can be found at www.nts.org.uk/culloden.
Pictures: Hundreds gather at Culloden Battlefield
