We want to know what makes the Highlands special for you

What sums up the Spirit of the Highlands for you?

If someone was visiting our area for the first time, what one thing would you want to tell them about the Highlands and its people? What makes this place special?

There’s lots that’s good about living here, such as the scenery and the warm, friendly people and the vivid colours we see as we move through the seasons each year.

Our weather, and the distinctive light that it brings, come rain or shine, summer or winter, is also special.

Or perhaps it’s the land around us, offering a wealth of outdoor activities to tempt us outdoors, or inspire our creativity?

Maybe you would say that the fresh, delicious food and drink found in all corners of the Highlands is what makes it special. Or is it our heritage, making us proud of this unique place?

You might want to highlight a special place you like to visit or that you hold dear to your heart? Or perhaps the warm welcome that awaits, no matter whether its kith and kin or people we are meeting for the first time? Other sights, sounds and smells particular to your favourite place? All of these…and more…?

Spirit of the Highlands is inviting everyone and anyone who knows and loves the Highlands to get involved and to contribute a story about what sums up the ‘spirit of the Highlands’ for them.

The stories collected will form the basis of online content and will be interpreted within the newly transformed Inverness Castle visitor attraction when it opens, to encourage people to visit and to explore the Highlands and to find out more about our extraordinary and unique area.

The stories will be available to everyone and will be used in different ways to attract people to find out about the Highlands and to plan a visit in the future; online, in print and through events and education projects.

We live in an extraordinary part of the world, rich in stories that make us laugh, cry or gasp in wonder, which inspire and thrill us, which make us think and make us ceilidh.

Whichever part of the Highlands you are in, these stories reflect who we are and how we live our lives. Everyone who lives, visits and works in the Highlands will have an opportunity to get involved in creating the story to be told through Spirit of the Highlands. The stories can be about our past, the present and the future, and be about whatever sums up the ‘spirit of the Highlands’ for you.

Tell us your story in up to 350 words via www.spiritofthehighlands.com or upload a photograph or short audio/video file which tells the story for you.

Everyone has a tale to tell, including you, so get involved by visiting the website and sharing it at www.spiritofthehighlands.com

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.