Olympic torch: Highland relay clashes with major events

Singer Emeli Sande is to perform at a two-hour long party in Inverness

The Olympic torch will arrive in the Highlands at the same time as other major events are taking place, drawing crowds of thousands of people.

The flame reaches the area on 9 June and will be carried from Glencoe north to a party in Inverness.

RockNess at Dores, the Curtis Cup women's golf competition at Nairn and UCI Mountain Bike World Cup near Fort William will also be under way.

Highland Council and the police will outline how they plan to cope later.

On 9 June, torchbearers will carry the flame through Glencoe to Ballachullish and on to Fort William.

From Fort William the relay will head to Fort Augustus, Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit before it arrives in Inverness.

A two-hour party starting at 17:00 and featuring Scottish singer Emeli Sande will be held in the city's Northern Meeting Park.

On the way to Inverness, the torch will be displayed at the mountain world cup competition and RockNess music festival.

Northern Constabulary and Highland Council are to hold a joint briefing later to outline how the crowds headed for the various events will be handled.

The police and local authority have had experience of handling traffic going to and from RockNess and UCI Mountain Bike World Cup for a number of years.

Also, last July, a traffic system was put in place for the Scottish Open golf tournament at Castle Stuart, near Inverness.

About 43,000 people attended the event over three days of the competition.

The Scottish Open will be held at the same venue later this year.