'Bunker fest' for Highland capital as Open swings into town

INVERNESS will be transformed into an "imaginary golf course" with city centre watering holes acting as entertainment "bunkers" during the Barclay's Scottish Open next week.

City officials yesterday unveiled the latest events for visitors to the Highland capital to coincide with the four-day golf championship at Castle Stuart on the Moray Firth.

The Inverness Bunker Festival will see traditional dancers and musicians visit a number of cafes, restaurants and bars during the event from 7-10 July and Inverness Castle acting as the "clubhouse" for a show each evening.

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The city will take on a carnival atmosphere, with bunting and banners in the centre and major floral displays.

A large 3D floral model of a golfer has been installed outside Inverness Town House. Falcon Square in the city centre will also host traditional music performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Eden Court Theatre will be the scene for Scottish country dancing and salsa events.

Event organisers expect the number of visitors to the championship to top the 50,000 who attended last year's event at Loch Lomond. TV coverage will showcase the Highlands to 450 million households around the world, bringing a huge boost to tourism. It has been estimated the championship could be worth 5 million in its direct boost to the local economy and a further 6m from the media coverage.

Provost Jimmy Gray said: "Having this prestigious tournament take place in the Highlands for the first time is an incredible opportunity to promote the whole area as a holiday and golfing destination.

"It will also be a welcome boost to local businesses. Every-one has been working very hard to ensure we are ready to welcome people to what I hope will be a very memorable experience."

Yesterday the First Minister Alex Salmond unveiled the new trophy for which some the world's most elite players will compete.

Triple major winner Ernie Els is the latest name to commit to the event, which will also feature world numbers one and two Luke Donald and Lee Westwood and former Masters winner Phil Mickelson.

Mr Salmond said: "Scotland is known worldwide as the home of golf, and the Barclays Scottish Open is another chance to showcase some of the best of Scotland to the rest of the world.

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"The eyes of millions of golf fans across the globe will be on the tournament's new home at Castle Stuart as some of the game's top names compete on this spectacular course.

"This beautiful new trophy takes the form of a quaich, a traditional symbol of the warm welcome for which Scotland is renowned. It has been designed and made exclusively here in Scotland, reflecting the very best of our country's artistic inspiration and craftsmanship. It is a world class trophy for a world class event."

Meanwhile, police said a traffic management plan had been devised to reduce the amount disruption on the roads around the event.

Entry and exit to the event will be strictly managed and people not attending have been advised to use routes other than the A96 Inverness-Aberdeen trunk road between 6 and 10 July.

The Road Policing Unit's Sergeant Jim Pryde said: "There is no doubt that there will be delays, particularly on the final day after the event, but the organisers have devised a traffic management plan, following weeks of meetings with police and partner agencies, designed to reduce congestion."