Scotland's islands have received a boost of £820,000 for a new initiative in 2011 that will encourage economic development, attract visitors and strengthen links between the islands and the mainland.
European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) will support a project devised by the six local authorities in Scotland that encompass island communities to promote island culture to mainland audiences and further afield.
Speaking during a visit to the Western Isles today, Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said:
"I am delighted we have been successful in attracting European funding to promote and celebrate the islands and their indigenous assets to a wider audience. This initiative offers great potential for cross-fertilisation of ideas between island communities, those on the mainland and internationally.
"The intention is for all of Scotland's islands, however small their population, to take part in the initiative and for events and exhibitions also to be held in mainland venues to feature the traditional and contemporary art, music and culture of the islands and promote their unique environment and natural beauty.
"By happy coincidence, the Scotland's Islands project will continue until April 2012, overlapping with the legacy year of Creative Scotland, and celebrating the distinctive culture of our islands within a national context."
Alex MacDonald, Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said:
"This is a tremendous boost for this project which will be a major celebration of the culture and heritage of Scotland's Islands. With the extension of the event into Spring 2012 there will be even more time for people to enjoy Scotland's unique and very special Islands."
Background
Western Isles Council - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - is co-ordinator of the partnership project, which will receive a total of £1.822 million in funding from a variety of public sector partners.
In addition to ERDF, the Scotland Islands 2011 project is also funded by six local authorities: Argyll and Bute; Highland; North Ayrshire; Orkney; Shetland; Western Isles (a total of £302,000); Highlands and Islands Enterprise (£200,000); and supported by EventScotland (£100,000); and Awards for All (£400,000).
Scotland's Islands 2011 is a major initiative built around a programme of cultural events, with the principal purposes of raising the profile of the islands to bolster economic and community development, attracting new visitors, and strengthening links between the islands and mainland cultural organisations. The intention is for all of the islands, however small their population, to participate in the programme, and for events and exhibitions also to be held at key mainland venues to feature the traditional and contemporary art, music and culture of the islands, together with showcasing its distinctive produce. For more information contact Joe Macphee, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on 01851 709594 or www.scotlandsislands.com
The Minister also awarded the first ever Gaelic Business of the Year award to Co-Chomunn na Pairc. The "Gaelic Business of the Year Award" was established this year to encourage businesses to use Gaelic in the workplace. The competition is administered by Comunn na Gàidhlig and funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. For more information please contact: Calum Iain MacLeòid on 07833 350775 or calumiain@cnag.org.uk
Contact
Julie MacBeath: 0131 244 3177 / 07810 507016
St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.scotland.gov.uk
