Santa's Reindeer Parade leads to Rotary Christmas Festival

With Santa and his sleigh travelling along the Fort William High Street, Lucy and Erin brought Christmas cheer to the waving crowds as they helped Santa steer the sleigh over the Parade Green, supported by the Lochaber Pipe Band and the Ben Nevis Cheerleaders.

Erin and Lucy won the Lochaber Times ‘Santa’s Elves Competition’, which attracted more than 250 entries from all over Lochaber.

Rotary president Malcolm MacRaild welcomed Santa and the Elves to the Nevis Centre, where nearly 60 stalls showcased Lochaber’s wide range of designer crafts and quality food, including locally smoked salmon, quality baking, locally produced books and excellent craftwork.

In addition, Buskers Corner provided excellent music, Santa’s Grotto was a major attraction, the Bouncy Castle was a popular feature, and the Soft Play Area and the Centre Café were busy all day.

Malcolm said: “We are delighted with the turnout and happy to confirm that stallholders reported healthy business throughout the day.”

As in previous Rotary festivals, local transport firm, Ferguson Transport & Shipping, were the main sponsors of the event and had the unenviable task of selecting the two winning elves.

Alasdair Ferguson, Group MD of the company said: “We are proud to once again sponsor Santa’s reindeer parade as part of the annual Lochaber Rotary Christmas Festival.”

“It is very encouraging to see so many local children taking part (in the elves’ competition) and the standard of entries was amazing, well done everyone.”

President Malcolm thanked Alasdair for the continuing sponsorship and added: “I would like to thank everyone who has helped make this a successful day – the stallholders, the Nevis Centre staff, the Cairngorm Reindeer Company, Erin and Lucy, the Rotarians and their wives and partners and most of all the public who help make
this a very special event.

“We hope to see you all back next year.”