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Low-noise maybe, but real fireworks at Strathspey for Hogmanay!





The Bakers, Mitchells and and Hoggs family members enjoying the night.
The Bakers, Mitchells and and Hoggs family members enjoying the night.

2025 arrived in spectacular style at Strathspey, with a huge turnout in Grantown’s festive Square.

The fireworks may have been ‘quiet’ but they were magnificently visible on a night when other communities - including the national capital - had felt obliged to call their festivities off altogether.

The McAllister family from Grantown - Lee and Natalie with Darci, Miyah and Cruze. Pictures: Frances Porter
The McAllister family from Grantown - Lee and Natalie with Darci, Miyah and Cruze. Pictures: Frances Porter

While things went silent in the Badenoch capital of Kingussie, with a 4pm announcement that the weather was too adverse for the event’s own good, at Grantown it was all full on by the countdown, so much that the organisers were soon posting their appreciation to those who risked any storms:

“Thank you to all the volunteers who gave up their time to make the event safe,” said a representative of the team.

LIGHT ON THEIR FEET: Loads of atmosphere at Grantown last night
LIGHT ON THEIR FEET: Loads of atmosphere at Grantown last night

Thans also went to: “The bar staff for serving the drinks with a smile, to Maggie Adamson and her friends for playing such great music, Speysound Radio for getting us in the mood, Martin Grant for organising the lorry, Fireworx Scotland for the display, Ken Kelly for the burger van, Deveron Loos for the portaloos, Helen Walker and team for the medical cover, the team at Morlich House for allowing us to get some power and Steven Oakes for doing all the electrical checks and Police Scotland for keeping us safe.”

There was undoubtedly some disappointment that the fabulous fireworks had gone politically correct, one observer posting “The fireworks looked great and it will be an unpopular opinion by many but the atmosphere was very much lost by absence of the celebratory crack of the fireworks going off!

SQUARE DANCING: Into '25 at the Square
SQUARE DANCING: Into '25 at the Square

“I know it was posted that they were low noise fireworks etc., but it was my opinion it was bit like a silent disco. Can we maybe bring back the bang next year…?”

Meanwhile the campaign is on to ensure that there will be a celebration as good if not even better, with a crowdfunding page already establish

Every donation, no matter the size, contributes to the magic of Hogmanay in Grantown on Spey. The event now costs £12,000 annually to put on, so your generous contributions will directly support the event's success by:

• providing for a dazzling firework display;

• hiring a band and a piper to play live music for an outdoor ceilidh;

• covering hire of portaloos, bins and mandatory traffic management costs; and

• creating a festive atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

Your support enables us to continue this beloved tradition and ensures that our community welcomes in the new year with warmth and cheer

If you would like to donate towards the cost of Hogmanay our Just Giving Page is now live.

Ian Masson, Elise Masson and Jack Ling from Grantown
Ian Masson, Elise Masson and Jack Ling from Grantown

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