Strathspey capital lining up a spectacular seasonal weekend
Dear Santa, we have all been good in Grantown this year. Can we have free chips?
The answer? Yes!
Would you believe, the 2024 High Street Does Christmas actually will include free chips for one day, courtesy of the Royal Fish Bar.
Declan Gallacher explained: “On Sunday my parents, Alison and William, will have owned The Royal Fish Bar for 10 years.
“We will be offering free chips all day. Any single can be upgraded to a supper for free. We will also be decorating the place with a balloon arch, and other appropriate fishy/birthday decorations.
“Happily it also coincides with the High Street businesses in Grantown putting on their annual Grantown Does Christmas with lots of businesses putting on extra stuff to mark the start of the Christmas festivities.”
Declan added: “We want to give back to the locals who have been supportive over the last 10 years that we have been in business and have kept the chippy going all year round.
“So we are inviting everyone to come along and get their chips for free with their meal. Whether it's a poke of chips on its own or suppers as part of a big order, the chips will be free.”
It’s the first year that Discover Grantown isn't running the town’s big festive event, with all the usual stalls and entertainment etc., but traders told the Strathy that they were not giving up on the season.
“The High Street has come together this year to try and promote a weekend where we get the festive season kicked off with fun and games, Santa's Grotto and lots of shopping incentives with a view to get the locals interested and encouraged to come down and do some Christmas shopping on the High Street,” explained Gill and Mandy at Highland Artisans, based at number 59.
“It's tough times for high street shops, and these few days will be a huge help, bringing people to Grantown to enjoy our fabulous shops and cafes.
The special trading season starts today (Thursday) and includes some late night shopping on Thursday until 8pm tonight. At Highland Artisans everyone is invited to “Pop in for drinks and nibbles and a good browse of our Christmas goodies and cookware for the big day!”
Sunday will see openings from 9am to 5pm so locals can make a serious start at getting their Christmas shopping lists down.
Features over the long weekend include a High Street faffle - free entry to the raffle for every £10 spent in store (and in other Grantown shops).
Prizes from the High Street include a luxury hamper and gift vouchers.
The Girl Guides raffle at £1 a strip offers the chance of a £50 Donaldsons voucher, a ducky watering can and other great prizes: “All proceeds to 1st Grantown-On-Spey’s Girl Guiding trip 2025 to Amsterdam.”
Gill and Mandy are also offering a special guest appearance from their new shop puppy Bruce - subject to extensive napping breaks!
