A Commonwealth Day flag raising ceremony was held on Monday 9 March 2026 at The Inverness Castle Experience.
The Provost of Inverness, councillors and guests met in the gardens of The Inverness Castle Experience to mark Commonwealth Day.
Provost and guests at Inverness Castle Experience to mark Commonwealth Day
In its 77th year Commonwealth Day is observed by people across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
Provost Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “I am delighted that the first civic event held outside The Inverness Castle Experience is the annual flag raising ceremony for Commonwealth Day. The theme of which (for 2026) is 'Unlocking opportunities together for a prosperous Commonwealth’.
“The Commonwealth Secretariat’s 5-year Strategic Plan will focus on ‘…building democratic, economic and environmental resilience, ….making investments in people, especially women and young people, and giving them the skills for the future, …and reversing the effects of stalled growth.
She added: “I welcome the Secretariat’s Plan which aligns strongly with Highland Council’s £750 million investment in the Highland Investment Plan (HIP) over the next 5 years. The HIP will help drive significant economic growth and deliver community benefits across the Highlands, including new homes and local employment opportunities, as well as graduate and apprenticeship posts.”
Provost Campbell Sinclair read the Commonwealth Affirmation and a short Commonwealth flag raising ceremony was held at Castle gardens.
The Commonwealth Affirmation reads:
“We affirm that every person possesses unique worth and dignity.
“We affirm our desire for peace among all peoples and nations, and our belief in justice for everyone, everywhere.
“We affirm our respect for the natural world, and that we will be stewards of the earth by working together to care for every part of it.
“We affirm our support for all young people in every part of our Commonwealth and, in honouring their ingenuity and imagination, we affirm our belief that the future success of the Commonwealth rests with them.
“Joining together in kinship, affinity and unity, we celebrate the precious diversity of thought, culture, tradition and experience across our family of nations, and we build on shared inheritances.
“We reiterate our commitment to the values of the Commonwealth Charter, both as an expression of our ideals and aspirations, and as a framework for common action.
“Through our Commonwealth connection we see each other, hear each other, learn from one another, and co-operate with mutual respect and goodwill to deliver a resilient common future for all our communities and nations.”
For more information on Commonwealth Day visit: https://thecommonwealth.org/
Notes to editors:
The Scottish Government has invested £19.6 million in the castle’s transformation (£15 million via the City Region Deal and £4.6 million in tourism funding). The UK Government has contributed £7.5 million to the project through the Deal and Levelling Up funding.