Meet-up in Inverness set to attract up to 40 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and their owners from across Scotland
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A canine cavalcade is set to provide a striking spectacle with up to 40 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels ready to join in the breed’s first meet-up in Inverness tomorrow.
The get together, which is attracting owners from across Scotland, was the idea of Gary Campbell.
He put up a post on social media in the expectation of meeting a few other local owners for a walk.
But he has been “blown away” by the response from further afield.
He and his wife Annabel, of Dingwall, are the owners of Harley, a nine-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
“There are not many of them up here in the Highlands and I was hoping to get about 10 together for a meet-up, walk and group photo,” said Mr Campbell, a production operator at Glen Ord Maltings in Muir of Ord.
“I put a post on social media to gauge interest and I was blown away by the response.
“I started to get messages from people all over Scotland saying they have booked at caravan parks or Airbnb properties to attend.
“It sort of spiralled which I was not expecting.
“There could be anything up to 40 dogs.”
They are travelling from as far away as Falkirk, Aberdeen, Thurso, Fort William and Elgin and will meet-up at Bught Park in Inverness tomorrow at 2pm.
The plan is for the owners and their dogs to take a walk together at the Ness Islands.
They will also get a group photograph.
Due to the interest shown, pet supply business Pampered Pets is donating a goody bag to each dog and will also be on hand to answer dog-related questions.
Mr Campbell had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel when he was growing up but has been without one for 43 years.
“It is horrible when you lose a dog and I said ‘never again’,” he said.
“But any time you see a picture of them, they are so cute. They are the most friendly, loving dogs.
“I just regret now that I went so many years without one.
“Although I love all dogs, I couldn’t imagine myself with another breed.”
He said Harley enjoys human interaction.
“Any time he is out for a walk and sees a human or a dog, he will sit and wait for them to make a fuss of him,” he said.
The couple’s daughter, who lives in Inverness, is also a fan.
“She loves Harley to bits,” he said. “When she comes to visit, it is to see Harley, not us!”
