Funding boost for Highland 2007 - year of culture

Funding of more than £3million from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will help ensure a full programme of events throughout the Highlands and Islands during Scotland's Year of Highland Culture in 2007.

As well as supporting the overall programme, more than £1million of the money will be used for the Highland 2007 Community Programme, established to enable community groups and organisations decide how Highland culture should be celebrated in their own area during 2007.

HIE's contribution to the community programme, which aims to help as many people as possible across the Highlands and Islands to take part in the celebrations, is being matched by the local authorities throughout the area.

The funding means that the local challenge fund, which is already considering bids for events from community groups throughout the Highland Council area, will shortly be extended to all other parts of the Highlands and Islands.

HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming said: "We are very pleased to be able to make this contribution which will help ensure that every community in the Highlands and Islands will have the opportunity to get involved in Highland 2007.

"Along with the funding from the local authorities it will help build a rich, varied and very exciting programme." 

Fiona Hampton, director of Highland 2007, said: "We are delighted that the Highland 2007 Community Programme can now be rolled out across all the other local authorities.

"Based on the ideas for events and projects received so far, there is no doubt that the inclusion of these areas will provide a huge enhancement to the Highland 2007 programme. It is very exciting to be able to support community events throughout the Highlands and Islands for this special year of cultural celebrations."

The total budget for Highland 2007 now exceeds £9million, excluding contributions made for capital projects. At the end of last year, the Scottish Executive committed funds to the new Centre at Culloden Battlefield, the renovation and expansion of Eden Court Theatre, in Inverness and the extension of Sabhal mor Ostaig Gaelic College in Skye, all of which are due for completion in 2007.