A leading children’s cook will be teaching Highland kids how to cook healthy food as part of a Gaelic workshop which will also give children a taste of music, language and storytelling.

Fiona Bird, who was a finalist on the Masterchef TV programme and is a food writer who has recently completed a children’s cookery book, will be showing the kids how to make their own fruit smoothies and other simple recipes using basic cookery skills. The Fun Day is being staged free as part of the Blas Festival which is staging 53 shows across 48 venues in the Scottish Highlands from 31st August to September 8th.

Over forty school children are expected to enjoy the Gaelic workshop at the Spectrum Centre in Inverness between 11am-3pm on Saturday 1st September.

Kirstie Anderson, Audience Development Manager for the Gaelic Arts Strategic Development said: “The Fun Day is part of an initiative to involve more children from the Highlands in the Blas Festival and there is something for kids of all ages. There is no requirement to play an instrument or speak Gaelic, we just want people to turn up and join in. We’ll be supplying healthy and happy food and drink. Having a chef of Fiona Bird’s quality is a great bonus and everyone attending will get to taste some great snacks and dishes. There will also be an art worker attending who will help the kids to contribute to a special Blas collage.”

Fiona Bird said: “I’ve been involved in a campaign called ‘Stirrin’ Stuff’ which aims to encourage children in the practical skills of preparing food. We are aiming for enquiring minds, active skills, discriminating tongues, and healthy diets.”

Blas Festival Director Donna Cunningham said: “This is a wonderful new way to introduce children to Highland music and the Gaelic language. The workshop will also provide key information on healthy food options which is important in these days of child obesity.”

The main sponsor of this year’s festival is the Clydesdale Bank. Alan Holland, Managing Partner of the Bank's Financial Solutions Centre in Inverness said: "Clydesdale Bank are delighted to support BLAS during 2007, Scotland's Year of Highland Culture. Clydesdale Bank has a long history of supporting community events and activities throughout Scotland and we are delighted we now have this partnership in place with a flagship project, throughout the Highlands, which will benefit locals and visitors alike."

Information and bookings for the event are available from Kirstie Anderson on 07917 785462 or by emailing Kirstie@gaelic-arts.com. Information about Blas Festival events
is available from the website www.blas-festival.com.

Blas Festival tickets are available by telephone hotline: 01463 782213; from venues staging the festival shows; or on-line at www.thebooth.co.uk

The BLAS Festival primary sponsor is Clydesdale Bank. Other sponsors and supporters include The Highland Council, Highland 2007, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Scottish Arts Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Jacobite Cruises, Highland Flying School, Highlander Music, BBC Radio Scotland and Live Music Now Scotland.

For more information please contact:

Peter Kane

01463 871600

07742 308213

info@kanecommunication.com

Notes to editors:

1.      The festival director is Donna Cunningham and the artistic director is
Brian Ó hEadhra.

2.      The Blas festival is run by Fèisean nan Gàidheal in partnership with the Promoters’ Arts Network.

3.      The BLAS festival is in its third year. It was created as a result of The Highland Council’s desire to create a new festival for the Highlands which would match the vitality of Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours Festival.

4.      The BLAS festival makes a virtue of featuring home-grown talent alongside internationally-renowned traditional musicians. Gaelic plays a very prominent part in every BLAS event.

5.      The festival is supported by a network of promoters and volunteers from local Fèisean and PAN promoters, approximately 400 in number.

6.      The Blas Festival will stage events in Inverness, Lochaber, Skye & Lochalsh,
Ross-shire, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, Sutherland, and Caithness.

7.      The Blas Festival Team:

David Boag (Development Manager, Fèisean nan Gàidheal)

Arthur Cormack (Director, Fèisean nan Gàidheal)

Donna Cunningham (Festival Director)

Brian Ó hEadhra (Artistic Director)

Ingrid Henderson (Lochaber Fèisean Development Officer)

David Gilbert (PAN Board Member)

Rita Hunter (Fèis Rois Manager)

Duncan MacInnes (PAN Administrator)

Peter Kane (Press & Media Manager)

Nicola Marshall (Development Officer, Fèisean nan Gàidheal)

Judi Menabney (Arts Manager, Highland Council)

8.      Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and to visit through showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future. The project is a partnership between three principal funding agencies: The Highland Council, the Scottish Executive, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. See www.highland2007.com for full details.