£62,500 funding boost for Highland events

A military tattoo and an outdoor music festival on the shores of Loch Ness areamong 21 events across the country to receive backing from the latest round of awards from the EventScotland National Funding Programme, as part of VisitScotland’s work to deliver the national events strategy Scotland the Perfect Stage.

A total of six events in the Highlands are receiving funding, including the 2016 Camanachd Cup Final, Commando Games – Survive The Yomp, Salomon Glen Coe Skyline, Groove Loch Ness, Highland Military Tattoo and Thunder in the Glens®.

The Camanachd Cup Final takes place at An Aird, Fort William on 17^th September. Shinty is a fast, physical twelve-a-side Scottish game resembling hockey, played with curved sticks and taller goalposts and linked to the Irish game of hurling.

Camanachd Association Chief Operating Officer, Torquil Macleod, said: “Shinty’s Camanachd Cup is one of Scotland’s oldest and most iconic sporting trophies and Cup Final day is recognised as one of the country’s great sporting occasions. Thousands of shinty supporters, sports fans and interested visitors will descend upon Fort William in September to witness two of the country’s top shinty teams battle for the honour of lifting the sport’s greatest prize. 

“The Cup Final is promoted as shinty’s BIG day out and delivers a unique celebration of Scottish life and culture that has at its heart an indigenous amateur sport that has been played in communities across the country for centuries. The support we receive from EventScotland is central in allowing us to develop the event as one of Scotland’s outstanding cultural assets, engaging wider audiences and enhancing the event experience for all involved.”

The Highland Military Tattoo takes place from 9^th to 11^th September. Now in its third year, the Tattoo showcases the best of Highland and military culture and traditions. Set against the stunning backdrop of Fort George, near Inverness, the largest military fort in the UK and produced by Major Bruce Hitchings, the Tattoo brings together top military performers, talented young local performers and some of the world's finest re-enactors.

Maj Gen the Hon Seymour Monro, Executive Chairman and Tattoo Director, said: “The Highland Military Tattoo has been really pleased to receive £16,000 from EventScotland. It is to be used to improve our marketing as it is so important that people at home and abroad learn about the Highland Tattoo as  the ‘new boy’ on the block.

“Funding will go to improving digitisation, social media, increased radio advertisements and advertisements in overseas magazines to reach the Scottish diaspora and on advertising materials. We are also using the funding to build up contacts with the many elements of the tourist industry.

“The Highland Military Tattoo at Fort George aims to become an annual event in the Highlands and Moray and funding support in the initial years is extremely important. We are very grateful to EventScotland.”

Thunder in the Glens® has become one of the major events in the UK for Harley-Davidson fans, with people travelling from all over the world to enjoy the two-day event. It is now officially the largest Harley Davidson rally in the UK with an ever growing number of loyal fans. Visitors can enjoy more than 60 trade stands supporting local charities and groups, H-D demo bike rides, Jeep demo drives, a custom bike show, outside entertainment, Scottish Knights battle scenes and off-road motorbike riding.

George McGuire, Thunder in the Glens® Rally Coordinator, said:  "Dunedin Chapter Scotland, organisers of Thunder in the Glens® is delighted and very proud to receive funding of £10,000 from EventScotland.

“The funding has been used to include extra entertainment, for visitors to the 20th rally, over the weekend event and to upgrade event signage. It will also be used to provide a shuttle bus service for rally-goers who are unable to secure accommodation in Aviemore because of large demand.

“This award serves to raise the standard and profile of the rally which is recognised as being the largest event of its kind in the country and provides a great financial boost to the local economy."

Commando Games – Survive The Yomp is a legendary 30-mile trek across the rugged and remote Highlands, around historic Achnacarry Castle and participants can carry full kit, if they choose, whilst raising money for the Commando Spirit Appeal.

Salomon Glen Coe Skyline is one of three of the highest-octane races in the UK taking place over the weekend of 16^th to 18^th September. It involves55km / 4,700m of pure Skyrunning that includes the most challenging Scottish mountain terrain - climbing experience is required!

On 20^th August, Groove Loch Ness will turn the shores of the famous Loch Ness into the country’s biggest nightclub under the stars. This year’s exciting line-up includes Duke Dumont, Leftfield, Boys Noize and Optimo.

These events - and a number of others across 13 of Scotland’s local authority areas - are receiving a combined total of £232,700 awarded from Round 32 of the National Funding Programme. 

The National Funding Programme - which is administered by EventScotland, a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate - was established to enable the strategic development of events taking place outwith Edinburgh and Glasgow, with the aim of driving domestic tourism and increasing economic impact for local communities throughout Scotland. 

Thanks to the funding, and in keeping with the objectives of the National Funding Programme, the events will now be in a position to further develop by extending and enhancing their programmes in order to increase attendance figures and improve the overall spectator / visitor experience.

Scott Armstrong, VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director, said: “I’m delighted that these fantastic events in the Highlands have been selected as funding recipients in the latest round of EventScotland’s National Funding Programme. I’m sure that the financial boost combined with the fantastic programme the organisers have planned will ensure they are a superb success.

“These funding awards for regional events provide invaluable support by helping them create an even more attractive proposition to attract increased attendance - not only from their local areas but also from much further afield. That promotes the venues as excellent visitor destinations and contributes greatly to the region’s economy - which is hugely important.”

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