2026 will see a year-long celebration to mark 800 years since Dingwall was granted Royal Burgh status.
To kick off the festivities, a winning logo for the celebrations, Dingwall 800, has been designed by talented young artists.
A call-out to young creatives, aged 8–24, in the summer attracted almost 40 entries. The judges found it difficult to choose just one design, so the final logo is an amalgamation of three: submissions from two Dingwall Primary School pupils and a UHI student. Sharing the top spot were Sula Blake (age 10) and Sean MacPhee, while Grace MacSween (age 11) was awarded second place.
The winners were presented with their prizes, which included Fèis Rois vouchers and goodie bags, at Robertson House by representatives from Fèis Rois, Dingwall Community Council & Dingwall Community Development Company.
Siobhan MacIntyre, Event Producer, Dingwall 800, commented: “We were blown away by the standard of entries - it just shows that Dingwall is a hive of creative talent, with inspiration everywhere you look! The winners’ logo will become a frequent sight throughout 2026, you won’t be able to miss it!”
To celebrate the historic milestone, Dingwall 800 is a year-long programme of events, exhibitions, performances, storytelling and wider activities in the community.
This is a collaborative project between Dingwall Community Council, Dingwall Community Development Company, Fèis Rois and The Highland Council.
Siobhan, added: “Dingwall 800 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come together as a community to reflect on our past, take pride in our present, and shape the future. The programme of events taking place next year is shaping up to be really exciting and we will be announcing our January launch event very soon. In spring 2026, you can expect a number of sporting, cultural and environmental events, which will be announced in the New Year, including a pollinator parade and big seed giveaway. Come summer, we will have a series of festival weekends filled with music, dance, literature, history, heritage and more. What better way to celebrate autumn than with a community harvest feast and we will close the year with a winter awards ceremony. This is just a flavour of what is to come so keep an eye on our socials, @dingwall800, and we hope that the whole community will get involved throughout the year.”
In addition to celebrating young artistic talent, Dingwall 800 event organisers also announced the first three community organisations to receive funding support from The Highland Council’s Place Based Investment Fund, which has allocated a £10,000 pot to enable local organisations to get involved with Dingwall 800 by running their own events and projects. The first three organisations to receive funding are:
- Dingwall Museum has been awarded £2,000 to develop a range of children’s activities including a Children’s Trail and booklet to celebrate Dingwall 800.
- Dingwall Scottish Country Dance Group was awarded £350 for a Society Tea Dance for all ages and abilities, where they will devise a brand new Dingwall 800 dance as well as explore dances with Ross-shire connections.
- Charlotte Mackenzie of Arts in Nature, supported by Fèis Rois has been awarded £2,000 for her project ‘Creative Currents of Connection’.
Charlotte Mackenzie, Arts in Nature proprietor and visual artist, commented: "This funding will enable us to deliver an exciting community arts initiative called ‘Creative Currents of Connection’, an inclusive, creative programme that connects people with Dingwall’s natural and cultural heritage. I’m really excited to bring this vision to life and invite the community to take part.”
"Running throughout 2026, ‘Creative Currents of Connection’ will engage participants of all ages through nature-based art workshops, guided sensory walks, storytelling sessions and temporary public art installations. Activities will take place along the River Peffery and Dingwall Canal, as well as in a variety of indoor venues, encouraging reflection on local heritage and supporting wellbeing, creativity, and connection to nature. The project will actively involve schools, care homes, and community groups, offering a creative and meaningful tribute to Dingwall’s 800th anniversary."
Councillor Graham MacKenzie, chair of the Dingwall and Seaforth Area Committee, said: Congratulations to our young artists for their eye-catching efforts – they have come up with a great design and the new logo is going to become a familiar sight throughout the year as we celebrate the 800th anniversary of Dingwall becoming a Royal Burgh.
“2026 promises to be a major year for the town and surrounding area. Dingwall 800 events will help drive tourism and boost economic growth, as well as to deliver other priorities previously identified in our area-based plan.”
To find out more about The Highland Council’s Place Based Investment Fund and how to apply for funding to support your Dingwall 800 event, please visit https://www.highland.gov.uk/dingwall800fund.
Dingwall 800 will officially launch its year of festivities in January 2026, with an impressive event for all the community to get involved in. Details of this will be announced shortly. To keep up to date with Dingwall 800, please visit www.feisrois.org or follow Dingwall 800 on Facebook and Instagram.
Issued by Fèis Rois
ENDS