Momentum is growing for Highland 2007 as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) today awarded over £200,000 to six community heritage projects around the region.  The announcement follows yesterday’s very successful Highland 2007 event at the Scottish Parliament.

The Heritage Lottery Fund announced its partnership with Highland 2007 in June this year when it awarded a grant of £4.3million to the Highland Archive Centre. To date HLF has invested over £45million in over 500 projects in the Highlands.

Commenting from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Colin McLean, Manager for Scotland, said: “The Heritage Lottery Fund is not just about grant-giving. We are committed to encouraging people everywhere to get involved with their heritage as we have seen the benefits it brings, from individual enjoyment and increased self-worth to the regeneration of whole towns. We share Highland 2007’s aspirations and look forward to working with them for an exciting year celebrating Highland culture in its broadest sense.”

Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands said: “The HLF partnership with H2007 is bearing fruit. I welcome these projects that show the strong roots of each successful community group.  The projects offer a vibrant legacy far beyond the 2007 celebrations such as fresh insights into the Picts and Vikings through a sculpture trail. Others delve into life by the sea, livelihoods gained through fishing, on the impact of bridge and road builders as well as cherishing our very varied natural and cultural landscape through new Interpretation and educational materials. A welcome aperitif for H2007 itself.”

Alison Magee, Chair of Highland 2007, said: “We are delighted the Heritage Lottery Fund through its Awards For All programme has given priority to heritage projects and events celebrating Highland 2007.  The many excellent projects funded by HLF will allow even more people throughout Scotland to join in the celebration of Highland culture next year.”

The projects celebrating today’s good news are:

Celebrating 2007 Sculpture Trail (awarded £27,500)
The Seaboard Initiative in Tain has been awarded a grant to form a new heritage trail with five sculptures, designed by local school children. Each sculpture will illustrate an historical theme such as Pictish and Viking heritage, maritime links and local folklore.

Living By the Sea (awarded £5,900)
Cromarty’s relationship with the sea over the years will be explored through reminiscences and stories. These will be collected from local community and collated for a website and CD.

Lochaber Geopark (awarded £45,900)
The unique geology and its influence in the cultural and natural heritage of the Lochaber will be the focus of new interpretation and education material. A Project Officer will also be appointed to organise public awareness-raising events over the next three years.

Telford in the Highlands (awarded £49,000) 
This project takes its inspiration from the work of the celebratedScottish civil engineer Thomas Telford and the impact which this has had on the Highlands. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) will work in collaboration with young people from across the Highland area and will use a combination of
exhibitions, workshops and videoconferencing to explore and celebrate the legacy of Telford's work."

Celebrating Fishing Heritage (awarded £50,000)
The Buckie & District Fishing and Heritage Centre is to be renovated and extended to create an open plan exhibition area and educational room. The project will allow more artefacts to be displayed.

Exploring Your Past (awarded £40,200)
The Highlands has over 39,000 records in the Highlands Sites and Monuments Record and many more unrecorded. Adults and young people will get the opportunity to gain an understanding of the archaeological remains within their community through this project run by the Workers’ Educational Association

Further information

Heritage Lottery Fund:  Shiona Mackay on 01786 870638 (shiona@theprdepartment.fsnet.co.uk) or Sam Goody on 020 7591 6033 (samanthag@hlf.org.uk) Website www.hlf.org.uk