A number of events taking place over the coming months are set to benefit from EventScotland investment, after 13 successful grant applications were made during Round 31 of National Programme funding.
A total of 13 events across no fewer than 10 of Scotland’s local authority areas will now be in a position to grow event attendance and improve the spectator experience, in keeping with the objectives of the programme.
National Programme funding supports the strategic development of events which take place outside of Edinburgh and Glasgow, with the aim of driving domestic tourism, economic impact for local communities and media value for Scotland. The fund is administered by EventScotland, a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
Adding to activity programmes, extending the public relations/marketing capabilities of events and improving the food and drink offer are among the enhancements to be made through combined funding of over £150,000.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said:
“Funding delivered through the National Programme is crucial in encouraging people to travel around Scotland and contributes greatly to the economies of several local authority areas with every funding round.
“Additionally, it helps to promote a positive image of Scotland to audiences domestically and in neighbouring markets, which is invaluable to the visitor economy.
“These EventScotland awards will allow each event to create an even more attractive proposition to potential attendees, and we look forward to working with event organisers to realise the shared vision for their development.”
Anna Day, Manager UNESCO City of Design Dundee and Dundee Design Festival, one of the 13 events supported, said:
"The funding has allowed the first Dundee Design Festival to take place, a step forward for the city which is the only UNESCO City of Design in the UK. The festival will highlight design excellence in Dundee, Scotland and internationally.
“We'll showcase designers in areas such as healthcare, gaming, textiles and much more via a large exhibition, talks and demonstrations. As Dundee gears up for the opening of the V&A Design Museum in 2018, we're taking strides towards demonstrating our design heritage as well as our future - the festival is a key part of that message."
Neil Mackay, Community Director of Oban Live, said:
"The support from EventScotland is invaluable not only in assisting the launch of Oban Live but, more specifically, in helping create an infrastructure that will allow more vendors and businesses to trade and benefit from this new event.
“It is amazing for the Oban community to have a major concert arena created in the heart of the town for what will be an incredible weekend of live music, food and west coast hospitality."
EventScotland National Programme Round 31 funded events:
April
- Bonfest (Kirriemuir, 29 April – May 1)
- Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival (Oban, 29 April – May 1)
May
- Oban Live (13 -14 May)
- Burns an’ a’ That! Festival (Ayr, 22)
- Dundee International Design Festival (25 – 28)
June
- St Kilda Challenge & Festival (Western Isles, 9 - 11 June)
- Crail Food Festival (10 - 12)
- Cupar Arts Festival (18 - 25)
- Solas Festival (Tibbermore (Perth),17 - 19)
July
- Musselburgh Riding of the Marches (23 - 31 July)
- Butefest (Rothesay, Isle of Bute, 29 - 31)
August
- Doune the Rabbit Hole (Port of Menteith, 19 - 21 August)
September
- Inverness Loch Ness International Knit Festival (29 September – October 2)