Council welcomes launch of new Highland Homecoming Fund

Senior Highland Councillors have warmly welcomed the launch of the Highland Homecoming Fund, which will give local groups the chance to bid for financial support of between £3,000 - £10,000 to organise a new or enhance an existing event linked to next year’s autumn celebrations.

Highland Homecoming is a programme of events that will take place within The Highland Council area between 1 September -  31 October 2014.

The Highland Council Convener Councillor Jimmy Gray said: “We already have an excellent programme planned for next year and this is a chance for community and sporting groups in the Highlands to join in and extend the range of activities and celebrations with the benefit of generous funding from this new Highland Homecoming Fund.”

Councillor Ian Brown, Leader of the City of Inverness Area Committee, added: “With grants available of up to £10,000, the fund can provide new and existing groups with an opportunity to benefit from both funding and marketing support and to contribute to a key part of Homecoming Scotland 2014’s year-round events programme.”

Events already planned for Highland Homecoming are celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the world’s oldest Highland Games Stadium, Northern Meeting Park; including the staging of the Masters World Championships Highland Games and a Torchlight Procession of the Highland Clans; and the hosting of the Royal National Mòd in Inverness. The Festival will also highlight established events taking place throughout September and October including the Camanachd Cup Final, the Shinty Hurling International between Scotland and Ireland, the Blas Festival and the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running.

Details on how to apply and the application form can be downloaded from here