Santa's elves chosen for Rotary Reindeer Parade

As preparations continue for Lochaber’s Christmas Festival on Saturday (November 26) the competition to become one of Santa’s Elves for the day attracted a huge number of entries and gave judges, Carly Ferguson and Jamie-Lee Birrell from Ferguson Transport and Shipping, a long and difficult task.

 

This year’s challenge, sponsored by the Lochaber Times, involved colouring in a picture

 

of Santa and his sleigh as they soar over Ben Nevis to land in Fort William to pick up

 

the elves.

 

Finally, and after much deliberation, the winning entries were chosen – six-year old Seamus Simpson from Lundavra Primary in Fort William and nine-year old Mila Ball from Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar, the Gaelic school in Caol.

 

The parade will assemble in Cameron Square shortly after 10am when winners Mila and

 

Seamus will ride with Santa on his sleigh, pulled by the Cairngorm Reindeer Team.

 

Accompanied by Lochaber Pipe Band and the Ben Nevis All Stars, the parade will leave

 

Cameron Square at 11am and make its way to the Nevis Centre arriving around 11.30am.

 

The cost of bringing the reindeer to Lochaber is funded by Ferguson Transport and

 

Shipping.

 

Alasdair Ferguson, group managing director said: 'We are pleased to once again sponsor Lochaber Rotary’s Annual Christmas Festival by providing the funds for the Cairngorm Reindeer to visit on the day.

 

'It is great credit to all the team at the Lochaber Rotary and we are very proud of the partnership we have forged over the years between our respective organisations.

 

'Feedback from the judges is that the standard of entrants this year for the Santa pictures has been excellent and we all look forward once again to a fantastic day of festivities.'

 

Most of the festival activities are held in the Nevis Centre. The main hall, with more than 50 craft and food stalls, opens at 9.30am and there is a £3 adult admission fee.

 

With funding from Highland Council’s Lochaber Area Committee and honorary Rotarian Faye Steele from Elliott Lake, Canada, children will have free access to, and a free Christmas present at Santa’s grotto and a free session in Soft Play and the Bouncy

 

Castle. To gain access to these three activities, accompanied children need to collect their free ticket from the centre’s reception desk on the day.

 

The Buskers’ Corner will showcase live performances from Lochaber Community Wind

 

Band, Kilmallie Singers, Music Shed and Sing Mor, Jane Poulton, Highland African Beats, Showstoppers and the Great Glen Swing Band and the café will be serving

 

refreshments and snacks throughout the day.

 

Lochaber Rotary is committed to working in its local community and is grateful to all

 

the individuals and organisations supporting and sponsoring this year’s event. In

 

addition to those mentioned above special thanks also go to the Highland Council roads and licensing departments, Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland, Police Scotland, Lochaber Housing Association property services, Nevis Range and Robert Wilson (Tulloch), Kilmallie Community Centre, Fort William Bouncy Castle Hire and Nevis Centre staff.

 

Lochaber Rotary also wish to thank all the exhibitors without whom this event would not happen, and finally, but by no means least, the people of Lochaber for their continued support.