JULY sees a wide range of activities and outings for Inverness folk - not only in Merkinch but in the town and surrounding area as well. A definite for the diary is the first City of Inverness Highland Games which involves the RAF Highland City Visit; that’s on Friday/Saturday 20th/21st July in the Bught Park.
Then there’s the Inverness Tattoo which runs from 23rd to 27th July.
Before then there are a number of concerts, performances and workshops: there’s the African Village Project for children aged 7 to 12 in Culduthel Hall 17th-20th July which involves drumming, dance, costume and music. Bookings on 703999.

Culduthel Hall in Green Drive is also the venue for a Clown Workshop for 5 to 10-year-olds by Dr Palfi on Saturday 14th July 10-11.30am. Dr Palfi, who won rave reviews at the Edinburgh Festival last year, will also be giving a performance in the High Street at 1.30pm and in Bellfield Park from 3-4pm, cost £2. More info on 724261.

On Saturday 7th July there is a choice of evening entertainment: The Bob Hall Show is at the Florians’ Little Theatre in Bught Park at 8pm with his foot-tapping, heart-warming, blues-chasing music, while at the same time at Crown Church Hall the Cape Breton musicians Buddy McMaster and Harvey Beaton are holding a family ceilidh, supported by Gaelic singer Chrissie Stewart, young Piper Ross Robertson and young accordionist Matthew Maclennan. In the afternoon of Sunday 8th July McMaster and Beaton are holding masterclasses in fiddle for dancing and step dancing - more details on both these from 724261.

If you are prepared to travel for something a bit different, there is a group from the Balkans called Xenos at Phipps Hall, Beauly. Not only do they have lots of wonderful Gypsy music but there’s some Egyptian belly dancing from “Belle’s Delight” thrown in as well! Again, there is a workshop in the afternoon. More info from 724261.

Last but not least the ever-popular Mr Boom is in town on Monday 30th July, at Kirkhill Community Centre at 11am and at Culduthel Hall at 3pm. They say he comes from the moon, but actually he’s from Wick!

• For the full programme of what’s on this summer - the circus workshop at Eden Court, the twice-a-week story-telling next to the cathedral, trampolining and lots of other sports etc - there is a brochure put out by Highland Council, which is available at the Church Street service point and the usual places.
• ON the afternoon of Tuesday 17th July Charlie the Elephant and his pal Mini the Ostrich are visiting Merkinch Community Centre. Starting at 2.30pm the puppets are lots of fun for all ages - and it’s just £2 to get in. Don’t miss “The Brave Little Elephant”!