This news release was issued by the Scottish Executive

Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, was officially launched on Friday 12 January.

First Minister Jack McConnell proposed the idea for Scotland's year of Highland culture after the Highland bid to be European City of Culture in 2008 was unsuccessful. Taking the bid as a basis, a programme of events has been put together that will take place across the Highlands and Islands and spotlight its diverse and unique culture.

The First Minister, who spoke at the official launch party on the streets of Inverness this evening, said: "History has not been kind to the Highlands. The clearances in the 18th century led to a decline and stagnation that threatened the region's language and its distinctive view of the world. Highland culture was in danger of disappearing

"But all that has changed. The Highlands has experienced a revival which few believed possible. No-one who visits now can deny this is a region firmly on the way up.

"Population decline has been reversed and the economy is going from strength to strength.

 "And the renaissance in Highland culture has been dramatic. There are galleries, authors, sports teams, poets and musicians in the Highlands that the whole of Scotland can be proud of.

"The next 12 months will be a tremendous showcase for all that makes the culture of this area so inspiring, from the ancient traditions and heritage that are so well known and loved - to the new and vibrant modern culture that has emerged.

"I have no doubt 2007 will raise the profile of Highland culture and attract visitors from all over the world. It will boost the confidence of the region's young people. And it will have a lasting legacy in major capital developments like Eden Court.

"But The Year of Culture will be good for the whole of Scotland too. We can all learn from the region's cultural renaissance and how we can celebrate our identity by combining our rich heritage with all that's good about modern Scotland."

Background

In the aftermath of the competition short listing in October 2002, where Inverness/Highland bid for European Capital of Culture 2008 was knocked out, the First Minister declared a special year-long event to celebrate Highland culture.

A varied programme of events has been developed by the H2007 project team, led by project director Fiona Hampton and agreed by a board comprising The Highland Council, HIE, the Executive, and other concordat partners.

A copy of the current programme of events can be downloaded from www.highland2007.com

Following SR2004, £9.5 million was set aside for capital projects and a further £5.5 million has been committed through EventScotland, VisitScotland and SAC towards supporting the programme

Capital projects

Eden Court theatre redevelopment

£5 million towards the costs of a major theatre and cinema redevelopment project at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. This £17.4 million project will refurbish and preserve the theatre, which is a listed building.

Culloden battlefield project

£3.75 million for NTS to oversee creation of a new visitor centre at the battlefield site that will be sympathetic both to the subject matter and to the character of the surrounding area.

Fàs project, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (Gaelic College)

Fàs, which means growth, is a centre for creative and cultural industries which Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is developing on its campus in Skye with the help of £750,000 from the Scottish Executive.