Creating a Legacy for 2007

Highland Councillors are to hold early talks with the Scottish Government, HIE, Creative Scotland and cultural groups to discuss how best to build on the success of Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrated Highland culture.

The talks are aimed at identifying the nature of the legacy so that the appropriate management and administrative arrangements can be considered at that time.

Members of the Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee unanimously praised the Highland 2007 project team for the success of the year of culture. Particular tribute was paid to Fiona Hampton, project director.

Mrs Hampton advised the committee of the highlights and legacy of Highland 2007, which featured 100 major and 500 community events and supported 150 capital projects.

A full evaluation had been commissioned as an integral element of the planning and execution of the year.  The Centre for Cultural Policy Research in Glasgow University will report on their findings in July 2008.

Mrs Hampton said:  “The programme of celebrations has created a confidence in and about the Highlands’ ability to host international and local events and an even greater appetite for doing so.”

She believed the experience gained locally in delivering Highland 2007 placed the Highlands in a prime position to take advantage of the Year of Homecoming in 2009.

Councillor Jean Urquhart, Vice-Convener, said: “The real legacy I believe is the community programme that highlighted just how  cultural, in every sense, the Highland and Islands are.  We should be ambitious to continue to invest in and promote these extraordinary diverse activities and events in the future.  The terrific turnout for the old new year shows that we know how to party too.”