THE much-loved Red Hot Highland Fling Hogmanay celebration in Inverness has been cancelled for this year due to access issues and increased costs.
The event has been held annually since 2008 and has featured some of Scotland’s best-known acts such as The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Skerryvore.
Last year the celebration boasted the world's largest Hogmanay ceilidh, with around 4000 people taking part.
However, there will be no partying this year as the Bught and Northern Meeting parks which host the event are currently undergoing refurbishment meaning access to the sites is “limited”.
The Highland Council has confirmed that the celebration will return in 2025.
Inverness provost Glynis Sinclair said: “We have to ensure that all our community events can be delivered successfully and noting the unique circumstances posed by the redevelopment of Northern Meeting Park we have decided that we will reserve our resources for an exciting return of the much loved Red Hot Highland Fling in 2025.”
Don Johnstone chief executive of Visit Inverness Loch Ness said: “The Red Hot Highland Fling has been central to the Hogmanay celebrations in Inverness for a number of years, and there will doubtless be disappointment at this news.
“Given the circumstances it was the most responsible decision for the group to take. By making this decision early, it will hopefully provide local hospitality businesses the opportunity to further enhance their own offerings, which play an important part in the new year celebrations for both locals and visitors.”
Work began on the £5 million Northern Meeting Park project in January this year as the Victorian grandstand, which dates back to 1864, is being refurbished and a new community pavilion building is to be constructed.
Bught Park's shinty facilities are also being revamped in a £7m project.
