Electrifying boost for Scottish events

Fourteen events from across Scotland have been given a boost after receiving a share of £145,500 funding from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Taking place between July and November this year, the 14 events from across 10 local authorities have received the funding from EventScotland’s National Programme Fund to support their delivery and help develop the country’s diverse events portfolio.

Since 2008, EventScotland has invested more than £3.8m into 347 events across the country to support the strategic development of events which occur outside of Edinburgh and Glasgow, with the aim of driving domestic tourism, delivering economic impact for local communities and generating media profile for Scotland.

Building on existing event activities, extending marketing reach and enhancing the on-site food and drink offer are just some of the ways funding are put to use.

Stuart Turner, Head of EventScotland, said: “We are delighted to be supporting these 14 great events through our National Programme Fund. Our investment ensures Scotland continues to have a varied and boundary-pushing events portfolio that attracts visitors and participants from around the world.

“The National Programme Fund plays a key role in the delivery of Scotland’s national events strategy and the investments we have made since 2008 have truly ensured Scotland is the perfect stage for events.”

Among those to receive funding is Electric Fields, a weekend festival held in the stunning grounds of 17^th Century Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway. Electric Fields strives to showcase the most exciting music around at the moment, offering festival goers a weekend of top class music, amazing food and great entertainment with an intimate, community atmosphere.

Nick Roberts, Electric Fields Co-Founder, said: “We are thankful to EventScotland for their valued support of Electric Fields. Going into our fourth year we’re absolutely thrilled to be putting on a lineup crammed full of some of the best music from Scotland and around the world. I’m truly excited for the festival and in all honesty hope the months fly by until we can all be standing on our beautiful site watching these incredible artists together. It’s going to be an amazing weekend!”

Other events to receive funding include Aberdeen Mela, European Dodgeball Championships 2017, Loch Ness Knit Fest 2017, Scotland’s Salmon Festival, and The Spree.

EventScotland National Programme Round 35 funded events:

• British Transplant Games 27 – 30 July £25,000
• MugStock Festival 28 – 31 July £6,000
• Aberdeen Mela – One World Day 30 July £9,700
• European Dodgeball Championships 2017 18 – 20 August £9,500
• Scotland’s Salmon Festival 29 Aug – 2 Sept £5,856
• St Andrews Photography Festival 1 – 30 September £5,500
• Electric Fields 1 – 2 September £11,500
• Skyline Scotland 15 – 17 September £12,000
• Bo’ness Speed Hill Climb 2 – 3 September £8,500
• BOWFest 8 – 10 September £6,000
• The Highland Military Tattoo 8 – 10 September £19,000
• Loch Ness Knit Fest 2017 13 – 15 October £10,500
• The Spree 13 – 22 October £10,500
• Colours of Cluny 8 – 19 November £6,000