Xmas comes to SY with big parade
A cold but calm evening provided a vivid backdrop to a great launch for the festive season in Stornoway last night (Wednesday November 27).
Organised by the Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery, the event incorporated two parades which enabled the spectacle to be brought out to outlying areas of the town.
And for the first time at such an event in Stornoway, there was a Snow Queen as well!
Despite concern on the eve of the event that there would be insufficient organisational presence on the streets, the event was smoothly and professionally run, and an onlooker stated: "Hats off to the organisers for a wonderful evening…and did I say, cold!"
They had two parades chock full of representation rom local businesses and groups – and the people of Sandwick, Melbost, Plasterfield, Laxdale, Newmarket, Newvalley, Guershader and Marybank, benefitted from the out-of-town-centre routes.
The Snow Queen, 26-year-old Alison MacAskill, and her elves, travelled in a sleigh reimagined for this year’s event by artist Chris Rutterford who has been commissioned to create a series of murals in Stornoway in 2025 by the Western Isles Lottery. It was his partner Lubi Lykan who designed and created the Snow Queen.
Before the parades, Christmas fairs opened in the library and town hall, while the fun fair opened at 2pm.
As well as providing entertainment and ushering in the festive season, the Christmas lights switch-on event is a boost to charities and traders, Janet Paterson of WILL believes.
“It’s the charities and small traders that are involved in the Christmas markets, and the shops are heaving, so it’s a huge community benefit,” she says.
Our thanks to Sandie Maciver for the photographs
