A Commonwealth Day flag raising ceremony was held in Inverness on Monday 9 March at the gardens of The Inverness Castle Experience.
The Provost of Inverness, councillors and invited guests gathered at the site to mark the annual occasion, which is celebrated across countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
Now in its 77th year, Commonwealth Day brings together nations from across the Commonwealth to recognise shared values and cooperation between member countries.
The event at Inverness Castle marked the first civic ceremony to be held outside The Inverness Castle Experience.
Provost of Inverness Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair said the occasion was a fitting way to begin civic events at the location.
“I am delighted that the first civic event held outside The Inverness Castle Experience is the annual flag raising ceremony for Commonwealth Day.
“The theme of which (for 2026) is ‘Unlocking opportunities together for a prosperous Commonwealth’.
“The Commonwealth Secretariat’s 5-year Strategic Plan will focus on building democratic, economic and environmental resilience, making investments in people, especially women and young people, and giving them the skills for the future, and reversing the effects of stalled growth.”
She also highlighted the connection between the Commonwealth’s ambitions and Highland Council’s own development plans.
“I welcome the Secretariat’s Plan which aligns strongly with Highland Council’s £750 million investment in the Highland Investment Plan (HIP) over the next 5 years.
“The HIP will help drive significant economic growth and deliver community benefits across the Highlands, including new homes and local employment opportunities, as well as graduate and apprenticeship posts.”
During the ceremony Provost Campbell Sinclair read the Commonwealth Affirmation before the Commonwealth flag was raised in the Castle gardens.
The Commonwealth Affirmation reads:
“We affirm that every person possesses unique worth and dignity.
“We affirm our desire for peace among all peoples and nations, and our belief in justice for everyone, everywhere.
“We affirm our respect for the natural world, and that we will be stewards of the earth by working together to care for every part of it.
“We affirm our support for all young people in every part of our Commonwealth and, in honouring their ingenuity and imagination, we affirm our belief that the future success of the Commonwealth rests with them.
“Joining together in kinship, affinity and unity, we celebrate the precious diversity of thought, culture, tradition and experience across our family of nations, and we build on shared inheritances.
“We reiterate our commitment to the values of the Commonwealth Charter, both as an expression of our ideals and aspirations, and as a framework for common action.
“Through our Commonwealth connection we see each other, hear each other, learn from one another, and co-operate with mutual respect and goodwill to deliver a resilient common future for all our communities and nations.”
