Volunteers drive bid to make Inverness Fringe a local success
As Inverness prepares to host its first dedicated Fringe Festival, organisers say the event’s immediate success will depend on the army of volunteers who have given their time to help bring the programme to life. Training sessions held across the city this month saw people of all ages and backgrounds prepare to welcome audiences, support artists and ensure performances run smoothly from 28 September to 4 October.
The inaugural programme comprises more than 25 events spanning theatre, comedy, cabaret, drag, music, spoken word and community activity staged across venues in the city centre. Festival organisers have publicly thanked the volunteers for stepping forward to provide the human infrastructure that will turn the idea of a Fringe into a living city festival.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Festival dates | 28 September – 4 October |
| Number of events | More than 25 |
Volunteer roles highlighted during training included front‑of‑house duties, artist liaison and audience support, reflecting organisers’ aim to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere across multiple sites. That local, hands‑on involvement was a recurring theme among those who signed up.
“I wanted to be part of something exciting for the city. It feels like Inverness is getting a moment of its own, and I didn’t want to watch that from the sidelines.”
Several volunteers told trainers that civic pride, a desire to build community and an interest in expanding the city’s cultural offer were the reasons they applied. One said they wanted to meet new people and be part of a community, adding that the festival "feels like it is being built by people who care about the place." Another volunteer framed their participation simply: "I wanted to be part of something positive. There's enough going on in the world. This feels like a chance to add a bit of light."
The mixture of motives — excitement about new artistic work, social engagement and a wish to see cultural activity spread around the city rather than remain centred in a few established spaces — speaks to broader ambitions for Inverness’s cultural scene. Local arts advocates have long argued the city could sustain a more ambitious, varied programme and that a Fringe could create opportunities for smaller venues, community groups and emerging artists.
What this means for Inverness
For residents, the festival offers a week of accessible events across different neighbourhoods and venue types. For venues and performers, the pilot year will be an opportunity to test demand and operational arrangements — from box office management to artist hospitality — while relying on volunteers to bridge gaps in capacity.
- Volunteers will staff front‑of‑house, assist artists and help manage audience flow.
- The programme includes theatre, comedy, cabaret, drag, music, spoken word and community activity.
- Events are spread across Inverness city centre to encourage wider participation.
Organisers have said that how the inaugural week performs, both artistically and logistically, will influence the festival’s future. If audiences respond and operational lessons are learned, the model could evolve into an annual cultural fixture for the city and the Highlands more widely.
For now, attention turns to the closing days of September, when volunteers who have spent time in training will put their preparations into practice. Their commitment, organisers stress, is central: without it the first Fringe would be a markedly different prospect. Local residents are being encouraged to attend and support the range of shows, helping to determine whether Inverness’s first Fringe establishes permanent roots in the city’s cultural calendar.
