The Highlands and Islands came to London tonight as Dover House, the headquarters of the Scotland Office in Whitehall, hosted a reception to mark ‘Highland 2007’ – the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture.

Government ministers, Scottish MPs and supporters of Highland culture from throughout the worlds of private enterprise and the public sector came together to celebrate all that makes the Highlands and Islands unique and to mark a programme of events and projects aimed at showcasing the area to the rest of the UK and beyond.

Scotland Office Minister of State David Cairns said:
“The Scotland Office is acutely aware of the importance of Highland culture and its contribution to  wider Scottish culture and I’m very pleased to be able to  host this reception here tonight.

“I visit the Highlands and Islands frequently on official business, and the more I visit, the more I become aware of the distinct and special nature of cultural life throughout the communities of the region.

“The Board of Highland 2007 have drawn up an impressive programme that I’m sure will bring ever greater numbers of visitors to the area and I’m delighted  to have been able to work with them and with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to help to promote the initiative in London.”

Charles Kennedy MP and Jack McConnell MSP were among the guests treated to Gaelic songs by Norman MacArthur and by Katie MacKenzie on the clarsach.

Notes to editors

Highland 2007 is a project supported by three funding partners: The Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council.
It aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and visit through showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future.
The programme for Highland 2007 includes events and projects encompassing six strands of culture – arts, heritage, sport, environment, science and language.

Media contact:
Clark Dunn, 0131 244 9053/ 07917 084371
Nathaniel Mumford, 0207 270 6875 / 07771 938878