Graduation 2026: A day of celebration for UHI Inverness graduates
GRADUATES and award winners celebrated their academic achievements with friends, family and staff at the UHI Inverness graduation ceremonies today (Thursday).
Nearly 1,000 people attended the two ceremonies at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, including around 240 graduates. A total of 740 higher education students were eligible to graduate from UHI Inverness this year.
The graduates celebrated success in a range of higher education qualifications including Higher National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas, degrees and postgraduate programmes.
Dr Lindsay Snodgrass, Interim Principal and Chief Executive of UHI Inverness, told the graduates that for the last 12 years she has attended UHI Inverness graduation ceremonies and each year it has been a privilege to witness what education can make possible.
Guest speaker Ali McRitchie, ceremony orator Dr Lesley Mickel, interim principal Dr Lindsay Snodgrass and morning ceremony macebearer Iain King. The afternoon ceremony macebearer was Nicola Macdonald.
Dr Snodgrass said:
“I’m honoured that today, for the first time, I’ve come to the lectern to welcome you as the interim principal. I really enjoy that our graduation not only recognises academic achievement but also provides an opportunity to celebrate the personal journeys behind your success. Throughout your time at UHI Inverness you have overcome challenges, balanced studies with busy lives and, in many cases, taken paths that looked very different from the one you first imagined. You have demonstrated persistence, curiosity and ambition and these will undoubtedly have a positive impact as you move forward into your next chapter. You are our success stories, and we couldn’t be prouder of what you have achieved.”
Inverness businesswoman and charity fundraiser, Ali McRitchie, addressed the graduates at both morning and afternoon ceremonies as guest speaker.
It was a special day for graduation guest speaker Ali McRitchie and her colleague Linzie Ross who graduated during the afternoon ceremony
Ali reflected on her own experience and congratulated the graduates, saying:
“Qualifications can open doors, but your attitude will often determine how far you go once you walk through them. Your reputation will build over time through the choices you make every day. Be kind and honest and celebrate others success rather than see it as a threat to your own. Be proud of your achievements but remain humble enough to keep learning. I should know as I proudly graduated last November in the first ever Hairdressing Degree at Glasgow University.”
Special prizewinners were also honoured during the event, including UHI Inverness Student of the Year 2026 winner Amy Mustarde.
Amy Mustarde receives her certificate from Dr Snodgrass
Sporting Blues are awarded by the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) and the University of the Highlands and Islands to highlight outstanding achievement.
Half Blue winner Ollie Smith with his family
A Half Blue was presented to student and rugby player Ollie Smith, and The Honorary Sporting Blue Trophy went to Amanda Fleet, a former HISA Sports Development Coordinator. Graduate Rachel Cruickshank, the captain of the UHI Women’s Shinty Team, received the Team of the Year trophy on behalf of the team.
Amanda Fleet and Rachel Cruickshank both received Sporting Blues awards for their contribution to the UHI shinty programme
Lucy Kingham, a BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate, received the Sidney Black Memorial Engineering Award.
Lucy Kingham
Garden Campbell, a BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering graduate, was the recipient of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Student Prize.
Gordon Stephen, who graduated with BEng Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, was presented with the UHI Prize for Engineering Excellence.
Oliver Sweeney, President of Highlands and Islands Students’ Association, said:
“It's been fantastic to see everyone enjoying their graduation and celebrating everything they've achieved. So much hard work goes into reaching this point, and it's great to see that recognised. On behalf of HISA, I'd like to congratulate all of our graduates and award winners and wish them every success in whatever they do next."