This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Highland 2007 on the horizon
04/08/2005
Details of a major travelling exhibition and more cash
for events to boost plans for Highland 2007, the year
Scotland celebrates Highland culture, was announced
today.
Fonn's Duthchas - Land and Heritage - is an exhibition
organised jointly with National Museums of Scotland,
National Galleries of Scotland and the National Library of
Scotland.
The Executive has already committed £9.5 million towards
the costs of three major building projects as part of
Highland 2007, and now it is backing the exhibition, which
will tour the whole of Scotland during 2007, with
£402,000.
And EventScotland will provide a £500,000 cash injection
to create a regional events programme specifically for the
Highlands, which will assist existing and new events.
In Inverness, Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson
said:
"With such a rich and vibrant heritage, communities
throughout the Highlands will experience an explosion of
cultural activity before, during and after Highland
2007.
"I'm delighted that our three national institutions are
bringing together their collections for an exhibition that
will use language, music, poetry and art to provide a
unique insight into the Highlands and the people who live
here.
"Additionally, EventScotland is investing £500,000 to
extend its existing Regional Events Programme to support
events that will showcase the Highlands in 2007."
Ms Ferguson with a 15th century whalebone
casket associated with the Lordship of the
Isles.
Alison Magee, Chair of Highland 2007 Board and Convener
of The Highland Council, said:
"The announcement today has added two vital elements to
the programme for Highland 2007. The Regional Programme
offers a one-off opportunity for organisers to build-up
their events in 2007 with the support of an additional
investment from Highland 2007.
"The kinds of events that might benefit would be those
attracting visitors from outwith the Highlands, as well as
appealing to local audiences. The exhibition, Fonn 's
Duthchas, brought together by National Museums of Scotland,
the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Library
of Scotland, will showcase Highland culture past, present
and future, giving people across Scotland the opportunity
to join in the Highland 2007 cultural celebrations."
Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of NMS, on behalf of the
joint national exhibition partnership, said:
"The National Museums of Scotland, the National
Galleries of Scotland and the National Library of Scotland
are delighted to be working together in creative
partnership to develop Fonn's Duthchas (Land and Heritage)
as part of Highland 2007.
"We will work with contributors across the Highlands and
Islands to bring the richness of Highland culture to the
widest possible audiences. We strongly believe the
exhibition will promote international tourism, inspiring
visitors to explore the Highlands of Scotland."
David Williams, Chief Executive of EventScotland,
said:
"Through its Regional Programme EventScotland is
delighted to work with Highland 2007 and invest £500,000 in
the year-long programme of events that will celebrate the
best of Highland culture. The programme will attract people
from all over the UK to take part in this richly varied
celebration."
Highland
2007 is a partnership between three principal funding
agencies: Highland Council, the Executive and Highlands
& Islands Enterprise.
It aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to
live and to visit through showcasing the unique and special
nature of Highland culture past, present and future. It
will incorporate a range of international, regional and
community events, as well as capital projects and cultural
activities specifically for young people.
The Executive has committed £9.5 million towards the
costs of three major building projects as part of Highland
2007:
- £5 million towards the costs of the Eden Court
Theatre redevelopment project
- £3.75 million to support a new visitor centre at
Culloden
- £750,000 in 2006-2007 towards the Gaelic College on
Skye - Sabhal Mor Ostaig - to support enterprise
initiatives for Gaelic arts, culture and heritage and
assist in the building of a Centre for Creative and
Cultural Industries on campus
Fonn's Duthchas - Land and Heritage - will open in
Inverness in January 2007 and will embark upon a year long
tour of venues across Scotland.