Invergordon’s Fleet Festival
Memories of the Royal Marine Band marching down Invergordon High Street and playing in the town when the Royal Naval Fleet were in town in days gone by became an inspiration for a festival. Former Lord Lieutenant Janet Bowen attended the celebration of the mural trail opening.
Highland 2007 and others funded arts workshops with local schools, the Isobel Rhind Centre, the Fyrish Wing at the hospital and local nursing homes to create floats and for the festival parade.
The Saltburn’s Past group created a large float to reflect the themes in their mural, the lifeboat crew marched in the parade in their uniforms, the fire brigade drove a fire engine, and the sailing club decorated a dinghy with young sailors rowing. Some of the other groups had stalls and the local businesses supported the event through extra stalls and activities.
“So many local people had spoken to us who wished to see the marine band play through the town again that we made a superhuman effort to raise the money to see this happen.
Virtually every business in town contributed to the day and then at one point they said they couldn’t play in the rain. Fortunately we got a dry 40 minute patch where they could strut their stuff.”
Marion Rhind, founder of Invergordon Off the Wall
