Festive cheer across Highland Perthshire
Christmas is coming to Pitlochry and Aberfeldy
Christmas is getting underway in Highland Perthshire this weekend.
Both Pitlochry and Aberfeldy are to host their Christmas celebrations on Saturday, December 1, which will include a Christmas market in both towns, the turning on of Christmas lights, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Pitlochry’s Christmas Festival will be spread out across Atholl Road and inside Fisher’s Hotel throughout the afternoon with local traders.
There will also be live entertainment from 12.45pm and a ‘best dressed window’ competition for local businesses.
The day will end with three local schoolchildren turning on the Christmas tree lights at 4pm.
Tina Simpson, one of the organisers of Pitlochry Christmas Festival, said: “Excitement is mounting in Pitlochry as the Christmas festival is all ready to go and the organisers can’t wait.
“On Saturday in Atholl Road and in Fisher’s Hotel a specially selected group of festive stalls will be trading from noon, and many of the local shops will be having special offers or discounts just for the day.
“The exciting news is that Santa will be meeting children in Fisher’s Highland Perthshire Ukelele group will perform in Pitlochry Hotel from 12.30pm, but be quick and get a ticket, he has to go on somewhere else and can only see 100 children.
“Live entertainment starts at 12.45pm, although there will be music all afternoon to make the day more special.
“Children will be invited to ‘follow the Yellow Brick Road’ in a competition to find Toto, and local businesses are competing for glory in the best dressed window competition.
“This week a special art competition for local schoolchildren is being judged, and the three winners will be invited to switch on the Christmas tree lights at 4pm and bring the afternoon to a close.”
There will also be a parade and market in the Square in nearby Aberfeldy.
On Saturday, December 1 the Christmas market will be opened at 10am with Santa and his reindeer leading the fancy dress parade.
Neil Glover, the minister of Aberfeldy Church will then present prizes to the winning decorated floats, the best fancy and festive outfits, and the best shop window display as well.
Santa will also be making an appearance in Aberfeldy, and his grotto will be open from 12.30pm. The day’s festivities will come to a conclusion with carol singing and the Christmas lights being turned on at 4pm by Santa.
There will also be the Aberfeldy Craft Fair upstairs in the Birks Cinema selling Christmas gifts during the day.