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A RECORD number of revellers – hundreds of them making the trip from Ross-shire – gathered at the Hogmanay bash in Inverness to celebrate the start of 2020.

The family-friendly Red Hot Highland Fling attracted 15,000 people, forcing organisers to close the gates of the Northern Meeting Park at eight minutes to midnight when the crowd reached capacity.

Highland Council’s Inverness events manager Gerry Reynolds praised revellers for their behaviour.

“The crowd was absolutely exemplary,” he said. “I cannot praise them enough.”

First launched in 2008, the free event has now become established among local residents while international visitors this year included people from as far away as Argentina, Norway, the Netherlands and Italy.

Compered by comedian Craig Hill, it featured bands Skippinish, Torridon and Dorec-a-belle plus fireworks and a rendition of Auld Lang Syne at midnight.

“The event has developed a reputation over time and it is good to get feedback that the hotels are busy and people are having a good time,” Mr Reynolds said.

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