Solicitors are known for strutting their stuff in courtrooms… but our very own Amy Macleod traded it all in for the dancefloor at this year’s Strictly Inverness!
The event – which raised over £250,000 for Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre – saw 32 brave volunteers from across the Highlands paired up to learn the intricacies of ballroom dancing.
The dancers performed in front of an audience of 600 dance fans – and a panel of judges, including Strictly Come Dancing pro, Giovanni Pernice.
“We were in the audience last year,” said trainee solicitor Amy, “and I mentioned to one of the team that I’d love to have a go. That was it – they didn’t let me back out!
“In December we had a pairing night, where everyone got together to dance with different partners and the organisers matched us up. Then from January, we met up every week to practise our group dance and two individual dances per couple.”
Amy was partnered with medical secretary Lana Ingram – making Strictly Inverness history as the annual competition’s first same sex pairing to take to the dancefloor.
Amy said: “We were supposed to only train for three hours a week, but we definitely did more! Lana and I are both quite competitive, so we were able to help each other if we were struggling.
“As we were an all-female couple, we thought we might get away with not doing as many lifts – but actually I think we might have had the most out of any of the couples!
“It was really great having someone there going through the same experience with me. We were able to help and motivate each other.”
As the live semi-final approached, the reality of the situation kicked in: “We were really excited before it started,” remembered Amy.
“But I don’t think I realised the scale of it until I walked out and there were 600 people screaming and cheering us on. I thought to myself: ‘Well, I guess I’m actually doing this!’
“We were so happy with how it all went on the night, though. All those hours of rehearsal were worth it, and it was so much fun.”
Although Amy and Lana didn’t make it through to the final, they were winners in our eyes! Amy raised an incredible £11,618 for these good causes, and we’re so proud of her achievements. In fact, donations are still being accepted – can you help us push her over the £12,000 mark?
She added: “I would highly recommend anyone thinking about taking part in Strictly Inverness 2025 to just go for it. It was an unbelievable experience. I have come away with a whole new group of friends that I would never have met otherwise. But now they’re friends for life.”
Amy is no stranger to fundraising, having founded the charity Motivated by Mervyn 11 years ago with her family – providing personal locator beacons to fishermen on the Western Isles, in memory of her father.
When Innes & Mackay was founded 150 years ago, it was on the basis that the firm would support communities across the Highlands. Amy embodies this spirit of togetherness – and we’re proud to play a role in helping great causes across the north of Scotland.
Relive the Strictly Inverness 2024 Thursday Semi-Final
