Robert Carlyle, Alan Cumming and Jenni Falconer are among those who will be treated to a showcase of talent from the Highlands and Islands' creative industries sector tomorrow evening (Wednesday 27 November).

The 'Creativity and Innovation from Scotland' event at the Scotland Office's Dover House in London will be hosted by Lord Puttnam of Queensgate and Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt.Hon. Helen Liddle MP.

The high-profile event has been organised by NESTA, (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) together with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), The Lighthouse and the Scotland Office as a platform to celebrate and promote Scotland's creative industries.

Representatives from HIE and aimhi (Association of Integrated Media - Highlands and Islands) will promote the wealth of talent and facilities in the Highlands to the invited audience of celebrities and leaders in film, science, the arts, fashion, business and architecture.

They have provided footage from several Highland businesses which will form part of a video to be presented to the audience by Jenni Falconer and will feature the Scottish actor Alan Cumming.  In a further bid to highlight the capabilities of the Highlands' multi-media industry, HIE and aimhi have produced a DVD showing the wide variety of work that is being done in the area, which will be distributed to the delegates.

HIE's creative industries manager Iain Hamilton explained what they hope to achieve:  "There are around 800 people working in this sector in the Highlands and it is worth £24million a year to the area's economy.  This event will help us promote their work on a national and international basis and increase awareness of the talent in our area among the decision-makers at the event.

"The great thing about this industry is that technology breaks down the distance barrier.  There are already talented people in remote areas using computer technology to supply photography, script writing, graphic design, web design and e-business, and film and video production services to the central belt, and there is no reason why they can't work with clients in other countries.

"This event gives us a good marketing opportunity to distribute the DVD and show these industry figures what the Highlands have to offer."

David Drysdale, chair of aimhi said:  "Aimhi is the elastic holding together multi-media businesses with a wide range of products and services in the Highlands and Islands. We see this event as an opportunity to increase the awareness of our industry and promote ourselves in a much wider arena."