Council wins race to re-open Ness Islands in time for Bonfire Night

The Highland Council is pleased to announce that Ness Islands, Inverness which has been closed since last Monday due to flooding, looks set to be re-opened to the public late tomorrow (Tuesday 4 November 2014) following the completion of work to remove a significant amount of debris which has been washed onto the islands during the past week.

As well as delighting the hundreds of folk who use the Inverness beauty spot every day; the news of the re-opening of Ness Islands is a major relief for everybody involved with Wednesday night’s Civic Bonfire and Fireworks Display in Bught Park which is traditionally one of the biggest events organised by the Council each year.

Inverness Events Manager Gerry Reynolds said: “It is great news that thousands of spectators will be able to cross the river through Ness Islands on Wednesday night. It would have been extremely difficult for spectators coming from that side of the city if they had faced queueing at Infirmary Bridge, or making a detour into the city centre and back out again, to see our show. It has been a real race against time which has taken a tremendous team effort to win.”

The Inverness civic bonfire and fireworks display will take place in Bught Park on Wednesday 5 November from 7pm onwards with entertainment from the Royal British Legion Scotland - Inverness Branch and City of Inverness Youth Pipe Bands. The bonfire will be lit at 7.30pm by Provost Alex Graham and the fireworks display is scheduled to start at 7.55pm approximately and last for twenty minutes.

Due to the wet ground conditions, the only parking which will be available in the area will be for disabled blue badge holders and all other drivers are asked to allow themselves plenty of time to park considerately away from the site and walk to the show. As usual spectators are asked not to bring sparklers on to the Bught Park playing fields as discarded wires provide a hazard for the sports men and women who use the grounds.

Admission to the event is free. For more information visit the Inverness Festivals website at http://www.invernessfestivals.com/

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For more information visit: Partners in Highland encouraging public to make 2014 bonfire night safest ever