Highland pubs Hootananny and the Market Bar team up to help Ukraine relief effort
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Two pubs are grouping together this month to raise funds for those impacted by the war in Ukraine.
Hootananny and the Market Bar are hosting a two-day musical extravaganza during the last weekend of April.
The event will see a range of locally well-known bands take to the stage at Hootananny on the Friday night, and more than 20 acoustic acts performing at the Market Bar on the Saturday.
Music programmer at Hootananny, Steve Robertson, is gearing up for the spectacular event.
“We have a wealth of acts over the two days, including the Highland Voices Gospel Choir, Lional and Chancers,” he said.
“It will be a multi-band event with bands over two floors on the Friday night.”
The event will also include a raffle with prizes being donated from local businesses around the city in aid of the cause.
Shirley Wyness, from the Market Bar, has run other successful fundraisers in the past and is always blown away by the generosity of the people of Inverness.
She said: “The response of people wanting to play has been amazing – I’ve actually had to cut it off!”
“The people of Inverness are fantastic, it was the same when we held a fundraiser for those impacted by the war in Syria a few years ago.”
The Saturday night will end with local act Ben and Emily.
Local theatre legend Matthew Zajac will also be giving a speech over the weekend to explain to revellers why the event is taking place.
He is a local of Inverness but his heritage is connected to Ukraine, with his grandmother being a native.
Mr Zajac said: “I am delighted at the amount of support that Ukraine has received from across the world.
“Ukraine needs all the help that it can get whether that be humanitarian or military aid. It’s wonderful to see so many wonderful people and artists showing support in numerous ways.”
He also told the story of how there was once a group of displaced Ukrainians who lived at the Brahan Estate in Ross-Shire after World War II.
A monument in the form of the Ukraine National State emblem was built in 1949 on the grounds of the estate.
“The Highlands and Islands have a longer connection with that part of the world [Ukraine] than most people know,” Mr Zajac said.
Donations will be collected throughout the weekend, with no tickets needed.
