Santa's still ON at Kingussie!
OneKingussie have decided to go ahead with Santa's parade tomorrow night.
The big Christmas Eve event was under threat due to the spread of the Omicron variant – the Badenoch capital's Hogmanay Parade has already fallen foul of it and won't be taking place this year – but a meeting of organising bodies last night decided that with the right precautions in place, Santa's march was doable.
He will be setting off in the town with his reindeer at 7.30pm tomorrow.
But as one of the organisers, Janet Kinnaird of the town's community council, said: "We will expect everyone to be Covid aware.
"Masks must be worn and people will have to keep the required distance to ensure they are safe."
Cancellation came close, the Strathy understands but it was ultimately felt that the local children, so keen to see the parade and join in the spirit of the occasion, could be kept safe while enjoying themselves.
Aviemore, Grantown and other communities have had to forego their big parades this year but Kingussie will see Santa touring the High Street and stopping at the top of Gynack Gardens where mince pies and gluhwein will be on hand to warm the paraders.
Badenoch and Strathspey Pipe Band will add to the festive atmosphere by escorting the great man.
