Highland 2007 Legacy Programme - Round 1 Grant Awards Announced

6th November 2008

Members of The Highland Council's Education Culture and Sport Committee have been advised that 53 awards, totalling £388,649, have been approved in the first round of the new Highland 2007 Legacy Programme.

Given the national significance of Homecoming Scotland 2009 and the opportunities that exist for the Highlands to participate in this Scotland-wide programme, the first round of grants were prioritised in support of events or projects contributing to this national celebration. Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to motivate people of Scottish descent, as well as those who simply love Scotland, to come home in 2009 and the Highlands will present a very special programme to attract international tourists to the area next year.

Councillor Sandy Park, Convener of The Highland Council, said: "The volume and high quality of applications combined to present the decision making panel with an exciting challenge. Many excellent applications were received and the overall quality of the submissions reflects the wealth and breadth of cultural activity happening in the Highlands all year round.

"The projects and events offered funding vary widely in scale, from local projects involving entire communities to major events bringing significant economic benefit to the area. Many of the successful projects build on those initiated for Highland 2007, Scotland's year of Highland culture."

202 applications were received, to a value in excess of £2.5 million during this first funding round. The Highland 2007 Legacy Programme comprises a total annual fund of £500,000. A further round of applications will be invited in advance of the next funding round deadline of 6 February 2009.

The Highland 2007 Legacy Programme aims to enhance and to promote the events, festivals and cultural programme of the Highlands. It is available to community organisations, promoters, artists, performers, youth groups and schools, encouraging them to create their own legacy of Highland 2007.

First Round Awards -

Mackay Country Community Trust - Roots & Boughs - £5,000

Durness Development Group - Loch Croispol Schoolhouse - £15,000

Taigh na Gaidhlig Mhealanais - Urachadh Dileab nan Daoine - £2,000

Film and Video Umbrella - Dualchas - £3,000

Science 03 - Science 03 Caithness Science Festival - £5,000

Wick HarbourFest - Wick HarbourFest Homecoming 2009 - £7,000

THC/NTS - Transform - £10,000

Caithness Arts - Caithness Arts Activities 2009 - £10,000

Dunbeath Preservation Trust - Dunbeath Fishing Heritage - £17,500

Northern Nashville Caithness CMF - 2009 Festival Country & Western Music Festival -
Up to £15,000

Northlands Creative Glass - Equipment Purchase - £5,000

Caithness Archaeological Trust - Conference - Glass in Art and Archaeology - £3,000

Lyth Arts Centre - A Sinclair Odyssey - £10,000

Sutherland Agricultural Society - Sutherland County Show - £10,000

Ullapool Book Festival - 2009 Festival - £6,000

Ullapool Museum Trust - -Emigrant Paths - £970

Poolewe Ceilidh Partnership - Poolewe Ceilidh Nights - £2,000

Ullapool High School - I Will Return Home - £5,000

Nessmp3 Ltd - Invergordon Live - £10,000

Tain Initiative Group - Rose Garden - £10,000

T&D Museum and Clan Ross Centre - The People of Ross - exhibtion & conference -
£5,000

Cromarty Film Society - Cromarty Annual Film Festival - £2,500

Cromarty Courthouse Museum - From the Fishertown - £4,000

Island Arts - Alasdair Mhaighstir - £6,000

Kyleakin Community Hall Committee - Kyleakin Hall Extension - £7,500.00

Minginish Community Hall Assoc - Sports Hall Flooring - £5,750.00

Knoydart Arts Promotions - Knoydart's 10 - £5,000

Small Isles Community Council - The Small Isles Homecoming - £5,000

Rionnagan Beaga a' Bhraighe - Bards of Brae Lochaber - £2,000

British Waterways - The Crossing - £10,000

Highland Museums - Leaving Home - £7,500

Inverness Arts Forum - Lunchtime Concert Series - £2,500

Merkinch CCA - Children's Cultural Project - £1,000

THC Exhibitions Unit - Advent Calendar and Christmas Craft Showcase - £5,500

Merkinch CCA - Merkinch Winter Festival - £5,000

Inverness Youth Forum - Youth Music Showcase - £6,543

Highland Astronomical Society - 4000 Years of Astonomy in the Highlands - £2,800

INSPIRE - NAIRNIA - £10,000

Northern Roots Festival - Northern Roots Festival - £5,000

Unique Events - The Outsider - £20,000

Badenoch Primary Schools - Scottish Opera School's Tour - £2,275

Feis nan Garbh Chrichan - Acharacle Primary School - £10,000

Rare Management - UCI Mountain Bike World Cup - revenue - £30,000

Highland & Islands Museums Forum - Homecoming Heritage Festival and Trail 2009 -
£7,000

Margaret Bennett - A Tour of Homecoming Newfoundlanders - £10,000

Going Nova - Highland Science Festival - £5,000

Fin Macrae Photo - A Year in the Highlands - £5,000

Lynn Johnson - Virtual Galleries - capital - £2,411

Lynn Johnson - Virtual Galleries - revenue - £3,000

THC Archive Service - The People of the Place - £8,900

Heartstone - Without Frontiers in the Highlands - £5,000

CSV - Love Highland Culture - £10,000

Eden Court - Body Currents - £20,000

Total - £388,649

The closing date for the second round is 6 February 2009.
Full details and applications forms can be found at www.highland2007.com