Strictly Come Dancing Amy Dowden star hails Inverness’s community spirit after being wowed with the ‘electric’ atmosphere while serving as guest judge at Strictly Inverness, which is in aid of the Highland Hospice
Inverness’s incredible community spirit has been hailed by Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden after she was guest judge at this year’s Strictly Inverness.
The Strictly-style dance contest, which raises vital funds for the Highland Hospice, reached its climax on Saturday - netting more than £150,000 for the charity, and counting.
And Amy, who has been a dancer on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing since 2017, took to her socials after the spectacularly successful 2025 event to praise not just the people and “electric atmosphere”, but also adding that it had reminder her that there are “so many wonderful in the world”.
Vowing to return to the city in future, she said: "This weekend truly showed me how a community comes together! A Strictly-style competition to raise funds for Highland Hospice, a hospice which relies purely on funding.
"I got the chance to visit patients, who were lo lovely. kind and incredibly brave.
"Their families, some pets too, as well as the wonderful nurses and lovely volunteers. Last night over £150,000 was raised and still counting but seeing the commitment from all involved and everyone pulling together was just something else.
"The atmosphere was electric. Yesterday was a reminded of how lucky we are to have so many wonderful humans in this world who go above and beyond for others but also how fragile life can be. Thank you for having me and welcoming me Inverness, I'll be back.
"Certainly proud to be part of this past weekend and I'll definitely be returning."
Her kind words sparked a moving response from the Highland Hospice, who hailed her as “such a special lady” and said she would be welcome back “with open arms any time”.
Responding to her post, they said: “Just wow! These incredible words from Amy Dowden.
“What an incredible guest judge you were, and SUCH a special lady.
“It was an honour and privilege to have you visit us and we will welcome you with open arms any time.
“Thank you so much for joining us, you made this year’s Strictly Inverness so very special.”
