Dingwall 800 rallying call for creatives and community activists
CREATIVES and community activists keen on helping Ross-shire’s county town mark a major milestone in its history are being invited to step up to the challenge.
To mark 800 years since Dingwall became a Royal Burgh, a year-long programme of celebrations is being planned for 2026.
Local residents, community groups and businesses are now being invited to get involved in shaping this major milestone for the Highland town.
Fèis Rois, in partnership with Highland Council, Dingwall Community Council, Dingwall Community Development Company, and other local organisations, is coordinating the Dingwall 800 programme.
The focus is on “Telling Dingwall’s Story - Past, Present & Future.”
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Two public drop-in information sessions will be held this month for anyone interested in learning more, sharing ideas, or getting involved.
These will be held at the Fèis Rois office in Robertson House, Dingwall on Monday, July 14 July from 6-8pm and Thursday, July 17 from 2-4pm.
All are welcome to attend. Fèis Rois, one of Scotland’s top traditional arts organisations and based in Dingwall, is particularly keen to hear from local groups, individuals, creatives and businesses interested in participating in or supporting the 2026 celebrations.
As part of the preparations, a logo design competition is being launched for young people aged 8 to 25.
The winning logo will represent the Dingwall 800 celebrations across all publicity materials. Young creatives are invited to create a logo inspired by Dingwall, its history, people, and future.
Entries may be hand-drawn, painted, or created digitally. The deadline for entries is Sunday, August 31. Tou can find entry details at www.feisrois.org.
The winning design will be used across all Dingwall 800 marketing materials and the winner will also receive a £300 voucher for Fèis Rois, which can be used for a year of weekly music classes or to attend a residential course. There will also be two runner-up prizes.
Siobhan MacIntyre, the recently appointed Dingwall 800 event producer, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for young people to contribute to a historic event and have their creativity recognised as part of a major community celebration.
“I’m sure that come next year there won’t be a single person in Dingwall who doesn’t recognise the Dingwall 800 logo!”
Siobhan, who took up her role in June in between working at Glastonbury Festival where she has worked as part of the producing team for over a decade, is from the Highlands and is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Technical and Production Arts Management. As well as Glastonbury, she has worked across the UK and internationally on large-scale arena tours including Catherine Tate, Strictly: The Professionals, and Steve Backshall Live.
Siobhan added: “I’m excited to contribute to Fèis Rois, the community of Dingwall, and be part of celebrating and supporting Scotland’s rich cultural heritage”
Highland Council’s Dingwall and Seaforth area committee chair, Cllr Graham MacKenzie, said: “We are delighted to welcome Siobhan to the new post of events producer as we prepare to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Dingwall becoming a Royal Burgh.
“In May the Dingwall and Seaforth committee of Highland Council agreed to allocate funds to Fèis Rois to help recruit Siobhan. She has an impressive career background in high-quality cultural and arts events, and will now lead on the delivery of an ambitious and exciting programme of work to mark this special milestone.
“2026 promises to be a major year for the town and surrounding area. Dingwall 800 events will help drive tourism and boost economic growth, as well as to deliver other priorities previously identified in our area-based plan.”
To find out more about the drop-in sessions or logo competition, please visit www.feisrois.org.
