Ross-shire festive lights offer beacon of hope for better times ahead

RESILIENT communities across Ross-shire are signalling a defiant determination to bounce back from the horrors of a year that no one saw coming.

With countless community events and planned celebrations falling foul of the coronavirus crisis and local businesses still counting the cost, many have pressed ahead with low-key Christmas light switch-ons as a symbol of hope for better times ahead.

In the county town of Dingwall, the appearance of festive lights has been widely welcomed at the end of what has been a grim year for many.

The town hall clock tower will become “a beacon of hope”, said local volunteer Andrew Macivor, thanks to programmable coloured lights which can be altered for a variety of uses. He hailed the work of volunteers and business benefactors for helping get this year's display up and running.

He said: “We are sending out a bit of hope and encouraging people to shop locally too.”

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