Highland 2007 Scottish Parliament Reception
A reception at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh tonight (27 September) sees Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, continue to roll out its Programme of events for next year.
With only 96 days to the start of this special year for the Highlands and Scotland guests will be treated to a flavour of Highland culture. Feis Rois, Norrie MacIver and Fiona Mackenzie will entertain with music and songs from the Highlands and Islands.
The evening will also feature an excerpt from The Sundowe, the winner of The Highland Quest. The Highland Quest involved an eighteen month search for a new musical that would appeal to a contemporary Scottish audience. Attracting entries from across the world, The Sundowe was victorious and will be the opening show for the newly built second theatre at Eden Court, Inverness, next September before embarking on a tour of the Highlands.
Alison Magee, chair of Highland 2007, said: “This reception will provide an opportunity for Highland 2007 partners and major event organisers to enjoy a taster of the year ahead. The calendar of events, now available, demonstrates the wealth of events taking place throughout 2007 spanning all six strands of culture: arts, heritage, language, sport, science and environment. The programme offers something for everyone wishing to join in the celebrations of Highland culture and highlights what a great place the Highlands and Islands are to live and to visit.”
Patricia Ferguson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, said: “Highland 2007 is an excellent opportunity to encourage communities to come together and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.
“The diverse programme that has been planned is very exciting and today’s event is a great opportunity to get a feel for what is in store during Scotland’s year of Highland culture.”
Events are being added to the programme on an ongoing basis, check the website for an up to date listing www.highland2007.com
Ends
For more information contact Julie Corbett or Alison Bell at Highland 2007 on 07766 028899 / 07733 123037
For a free photograph of band The Peatbog Faeries launching the new Highland 2007 calendar call Julie Corbett or Alison Bell on 07766 028899 / 07733 123037
Editor’s notes
1. Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, 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. The project is a partnership between three principal funding agencies: The Highland Council, the Scottish Executive, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The year long celebration of Highland culture in 2007 will incorporate an exciting range of major and community events, as well as capital projects and ‘The Highland Promise’ for young people. See www.highland2007.com for full details. Highland 2007 is the first themed year planned by the Scottish Executive to promote Scotland as a great place to live and to visit.
2. Highland 2007 commercial partners include:
• LifeScan Scotland Ltd - Principal Partner
• Tulloch Ltd and Scottish Co-op - Major Partners
• Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank - Event Partner
• Caledonian MacBrayne / First ScotRail / Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd / Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort– In-kind Partner
• Fionnar Springs - Supplier
3. Major events confirmed include the spectacular Tulloch Inverness Highland Games, featuring the World Highland Games Championships, the RBS International Tattoo, European Pipe Band Championships, The Highland Quest, the Six Cities Festival of Design, the Moray Firth Flotilla and the re-dedication of Culloden Battlefield. For sports fans events such as the Adventure Racing World Championship, the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships and the 100th Camanachd (shinty) Cup Final. And traditional music events taking place around the area include The Royal National Mod and Blas Festival.