Inverness will host Highland Lights, the grand finale to Highland 2007 on Saturday 12 January. The event features a torchlight procession leaving Huntly Street at 7 pm and heading to the Kessock Bridge with plenty of entertainment and surprises along the route, to the official viewing area on the waterfront where world famous fireworks company, Groupe F, will present the conclusion to the event with a spectacular display on the Kessock Bridge, starting at 8.30 pm. After the Highland Lights event, an exciting programme of entertainment is on offer at venues across Inverness.

To safely accommodate the large crowd that is anticipated, a number of temporary road closures and traffic restrictions are required on Saturday.

There will also be restrictions on the Kessock Bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists while Groupe F prepare for the event. A traffic management scheme will be in operation to minimise the disruption caused by lane closures.

Motorists should note that the bridge will be closed from 7.30 - 9.30 pm on Saturday, while the display is taking place. Diversion signs will be clearly displayed.

To create a safe arena in Inverness for Highland 2007's closing event, 'Highland Lights', a number of traffic restrictions will be put in place. Please allow sufficient time for travel.

Road closures 

Inverness - 12 January 2008

• 2pm - 10pm Huntly Street
• 5pm - 10pm Longman Drive - 450 metre coast stretch between junction at Courier office and Junction before the coastguard office.
• 6pm - 9pm Waterloo bridge
• 6pm - 8pm Greig Street foot bridge
• The procession route will close from 6pm - 9pm : Huntly Street, Gilbert Street, Waterloo Place, Portland Place, Shore Street, Cromwell Road, Longman Drive (Viewing Area).

Kessock Bridge - Traffic diversions will be put in place, please follow these routes.

Wednesday 9 January 2008

• Footpath on the west side of bridge to be closed from 10am on Wednesday 9 January to 4pm on Sunday 13 January. On Wednesday evening – from 8pm to midnight – 2 × Lane 2 closures for the removal of central reserve barriers.
• 30mph restriction for the duration of the works.

Thursday 10 January 2008

• Lane 1 × closure northbound from 8am.
• 3pm – set up tidal contraflow with 2 × lanes running northbound and 1 × lane running southbound.

Friday 11 January 2008

• 6am – switch contraflow running for 2 × lanes running southbound and 1 × lane running northbound.
• 3pm – switch contraflow to 2 × lanes running northbound and 1 × lane running southbound.
• 10pm – close northbound lanes and have 2 lanes running on south side of carriageway – one southbound and one northbound (this to be left in place until 9am on Sunday 13 January).

Saturday 12 January 2008

• Full closure of the Kessock Bridge from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Sunday 13 January 2008

• 9am to 4pm – 2 × lane 2 closures to replace central reserve barriers.
• 4pm – re-open footpath on west side of bridge and remove speed restriction.
  

Water closure on 12 January 

• There is no passage under the Kessock Bridge between 8 and 9pm.

Parking

• On-site parking at Caley Thistle’s Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
• £3 per car.
• Access from the A9 Kessock roundabout.
• Car park open from 6pm.
• Info contact ICTFC 01463222880 - option 5

News updates

The Greig Street foot bridge will be closed to the public from 6.00pm to 8.00pm on Saturday 12th.

Note of event cancellation:  the Old New Year Shinty Match scheduled for 1pm on 12 January 2008 at Bught Park, Inverness has been cancelled. Recent weather conditions have made the pitch unplayable. For further information contact the Camanachd Association.