PICTURES: 25 images from Christmas Market at Ross County FC stadium in Dingwall; Global Energy Stadium event pulls in 1000-plus visitors; Boost for charity partner Highland Hospice as Ross-shire trailblazer scores with visitors and stallholders
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A Christmas market trailblazer in Ross-shire’s county town proved a massive hit with visitors at the weekend, and will pave the way for another showcase next month, it has been confirmed.
It was a home fixture with a difference for Ross County Football Club making use of the many assorted nooks and crannies of the Global Energy Stadium in Dingwall for Saturday’s event – amongst them the changing rooms.
With the Scottish Premiership club’s players on away fixture duty, the club decided to give something back to the community by hosting the day-long market.
It allowed a wide variety of local traders to literally set out their stalls inside and sell direct to visitors.
The club followed Covid-19 guidelines and such was the demand that a lengthy queue had formed before the doors opened at 10am.
Charity partner Highland Hospice - which relies on donations from the public to maintain its operation - made over £1000.
The club later posted: “Huge thank you to everybody that came along to our first Christmas market and followed all Covid procedures excellently. Between opening and closing, over 1000 people attended and the feedback has been tremendous, both from attendees and our 32 local traders.
“Thanks also to our commercial team and volunteers for delivering the event. We look forward to our next market on Saturday, December 12.”
That event promises a socially distanced Santa’s grotto.
The club’s commercial manager, Lorraine Christie, said: “I had a lovely note from a trader afterwards thanking us for the way it was run and saying that it was a huge boost after the year everyone has had to endure so far. That means a lot.
“I spoke to visitors and traders and everyone seemed to be happy with how things had gone. Some people made a day out of it and went for lunch, and I think the town was buzzing.
“I know that the availability of lots of free parking was a real bonus for a lot of people, although it did become full on a couple of occasions.
“There will be more stalls at the next one and they are already fully subscribed. I’d say this one surpassed all expectations and it was just lovely to see so many happy faces and people following guidelines without any issues.”
Emma Nicol, Highland Hospice fundraiser, said: “It was such a great day – thank you so much to Ross County for having us. It was just so lovely to see all of our supporters, and to see families out together Christmas shopping.”
