Invergordon stokes Easter Ross town’s civic pride with plans for weekend of events
ACTIVISTS in an Easter Ross town are aiming to stoke local pride in the community through a special weekend of events.
Following on from Invergordon Off the Wall's ‘Our Invergordon’ day held in 2023, the aim is to build up to an eventual week of festival/gala events in the town.
Invergordon Off the Wall has this year coordinated events with Invergordon RNLI, with three days of activities and events for residents and visitors.
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Next Friday (September 5), Invergordon Off the Wall is celebrating the 21st anniversary of the town’s first mural, The Loch, created in 2004 on the Albyn Housing Society building.
Schools have been asked to produce artwork and poetry which will be on display in Albyn's windows for the weekend. Pupils have been asked to take part in various activities on the day, with music, storytellers and games in Natal Gardens.
A treasure hunt trail of items in the windows of shops and businesses in the High Street will be an activity open to all. UHI students have been invited to help create a 'mural in a day' on the High Street.
Also on Friday 5, artists will be taking part in Invergordon's first Pro Loco outdoor art competition. They have been asked to produce a piece within the day, taking the Loch or Invergordon as its inspiration. The artwork will be on display over the weekend, for the public to vote for the winner. A cash prize of £150 is available.
Invergordon Off the Wall has been working to produce a map leaflet for the mural trail. This is a paper version of info about the murals, as an alternative to the IOTW app, and will be available to purchase from several local shops for £2.50.
This year's leaflet pack includes an anniversary postcard of The Loch mural. It has been created by IOTW with funding from Port of Cromarty Firth. The map also includes walking routes to encourage people to investigate the area by foot.
Invergordon RNLI have several activities planned for their annual open day on Saturday, September 6. This includes demonstrations, boat tours, a barbecue, kayak racing, baking competition, craft village, knitting and crochet competition.
On Sunday, Invergordon RNLI are working with several community clubs and groups to hold activities across various locations. Invergordon Off the Wall will have its own stall, selling leaflets, promoting the app and holding a tombola. Invergordon Museum, along with other venues, will be open to all.
IOTW volunteers have had several days of cleaning, tidying and weeding murals and the High Street and it’s now hoped that will become a wider, monthly community effort.
A short film was also made about the history and stories of Invergordon's murals. The film will be used to promote Invergordon as a destination to visit. It’s hoped that people will share it across social media. The port will also use the film to promote Invergordon at expos.
Speaking of the power of community, a spokesperson for the initiative said: “Groups of volunteers in Tain and Dornoch have made a huge difference to their towns. Let's make Invergordon a town to be proud of! We have lots to offer.”