Not a great start to 2018....

Unfortunately I slid on black ice this morning and damaged my knee. This led to a visit to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness transported in an ambulance. After a couple of hours wait I was x-rayed and then allowed back to Newtonmore. However, I will be back at the hospital for surgery to repair the damage. 

The ambulance and Raigmore Hospital staff were fantastic – what a great institution the NHS is! 

Hope that normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. 

Newtonmore welcomes in 2018 – faces in the crowd

Crowd at the golf course waiting for the start of 2018

Lighting torches 

Selfie with a torch

Three young women
with the singer on the stage in background

Looking after the stall serving Stag's Breath and shortbread 

A blow up Nessie or ready for an early dip?

Couple with a beer bottle 
(above and below) 

Man with a woolen hat

Mother and two piping sons

Torch-lit group

Newtonmore and the sprinting piper brings in 2018

 Fireworks to see in 2018 
by the Newtonmore Golf Club

Photos from Newtonmore's famous torchlight procession and ceremony to see in 2018 and bid farewell to 2017. Later posting with photos of people in the crowd. 

 All quiet in Newtonmore in 

the minutes before the procession

 Crowd gathering @The Glen, Newtonmore

Blond piper tuning up 

He's off: Piper sprints away from the Glen

The sprinting blond piper opens up a big gap as he flies 

away from the the Glen Hotel

– clearly a disciple of Usain Bolt
 (above and below) 

 Revellers beginning to catch the flying piper 

Piper leading the southbound group 

starting from the Balavil Hotel

Pipers leading the two groups meet 

up a the community centre

On the stage: Big Laurie and the singer 

The two pipers and Big Lawrie