What is Highland 2007?

Highland 2007 is the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture.  A focus on Highlands and Islands of Scotland’s unique culture will showcase the area as a great place to live and to visit.  A year long programme of events will present an opportunity for everyone to join in and enjoy the celebrations.  Events will focus on six cultural strands: arts, sport, heritage, environment, science and language.

Why are we having this celebration?

A bid for Inverness to be European Capital of Culture in 2008 was unsuccessful - the title went to Liverpool.  However, in true Highland spirit, this wasn’t seen as a set-back and, with the backing of the Scottish Executive, it was decided there would be a celebration of Highland culture across Scotland in 2007.

What is happening in 2007?

During 2007, from January through to December, there are over 80 major events  planned, as well as hundreds of community events.  With a huge variety of venues, there is something local to everyone within the Highlands and Islands - check the event map for details of the programme in your area. Out with the Highlands and Islands, communities and organisations across Scotland are joining the celebrations by hosting their own events themed around Highland culture.  There are many opportunities for everyone to get involved.

When did it start?

Highland 2007’s programme of events began on January 1 2007 and will continue through until December 31 2007.  Scotland’s First Minister, Jack McConnell, officially launched the year of celebrations in Inverness on 12 January 2007 (the Old New Year).  Footage of the event is available on the website.

How can I get involved?

Come along to some of the many hundreds of events in the Highland 2007 programme! As well as offering a wide variety of events, you will be sure to find things happening right across the Highlands and Islands area, ensuring there is something for everyone. 

All funding from Highland 2007 has now been allocated (you can view the successful applicants here).  Young people of a school age have guaranteed involvement with Highland 2007 through existence of the Highland Promise. 

Your business can also join Highland 2007 as an official partner – exclusive benefits are on offer in return for an investment of funding or useful resources so if you are interested and want to be a part of Scotland’s year of Highland culture then please contact our Funding Manager, Torquil MacLeod.

Is there any funding available to help me run my event or project?

All funding from Highland 2007 has now been allocated.  All funding offers can be viewed here.  For any further information please contact Highland 2007 on 01463 702007 or by email.

When will the programme be finalised?
 
The programme is continually being added to and updated – check the website for full details.  If you intend to travel to an event in the programme, do confirm details with the event organisers before you set out.

Highland 2007 printed programmes are correct at the time of going to press. Four editions of the printed programme are being produced to cover the following periods:

January-April
May-June
July-August
September-December
 
What is the Highland Promise?

The Highland Promise – An Gealladh Mòr –  is a pledge to young people in schools within the Highland Council area that during 2007 they would have the opportunity to take part in activities they might not otherwise have access to across the six strands of culture: arts, sport, heritage, language, science and environment. Young people are playing a key role in shaping the options for their school in 2007. Each Community School Group was allocated a sum of money to enable young people to choose from a menu of over 100 options for the Highland 2007 celebrations.  The 8 areas involved are Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Skye and Lochalsh, and Lochaber.
 
How do I keep up to date with what is happening?

The best way to keep up to date with Highland 2007 is to check the website regularly. In addition, the printed programme will be available throughout the year across Scotland, giving a flavour of the events in the programme. And you can subscribe to the e-newsletter to receive highlights of forthcoming events and other regular news updates.
 
How can I get the printed version of the programme?

The brochures will be made available through public venues (libraries, town houses, shops, museums etc.). Four editions of the programme will be released throughout the year:

January-April
May-June
July-August
September-December

How do I get my event included in the programme?

Enter your event details online via the Highland 2007 website.  Note: the information for printed material produced by Highland 2007 is taken from the website listings - please make sure you keep your event details as up to date as possible at all times.  Contact us if you need help amending an existing entry. 
 
How will Gaelic be represented in the programme of celebrations?

Gaelic is integral to the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture. The three member organisations of Highland 2007 specifically agreed to promote Gaelic language and culture as a core theme in the development of the programme of celebrations. This includes:

• The adoption of the Highland Council Gaelic policy;
• Inserting terms and conditions in the award of funding requiring the promotion of Gaelic;
• Working with event organisers to outline ways in which they will promote Gaelic through their event;
• Meeting with major event organisers to discuss ways to promote Gaelic through their events;
• Supporting the appointment of an officer to work with major event organisers to support their fulfilment of promotion of Gaelic;
• Provision of information about the promotion of Gaelic through events at an event organisers seminar in each area of the Highlands and Islands;
• The appointment of a part-time Gaelic officer to assist in providing advice on proposals received in respect of Gaelic projects or events and to comment on the development of the overall programme and the level of Gaelic representation within it;
• The award of funding to support Air Splaoid, a campaign to promote Gaelic to a range of audiences across Scotland using the Highland 2007 programme;
• Translation of most of the Highland 2007 website into Gaelic.

Concordat partner Bord na Gaidhlig has designated Highland 2007 the ‘year to discover Gaelic’.  Related websites can be found on the links page.

Why are so many of the big events being held in Inverness?

By their very nature, many of the larger events require a range of facilities only available in larger centres of population. Although many smaller communities do not have the facilities required for major events they will play host to many events drawing attention to the Highlands and Islands through high media profiles but perhaps with few spectators or participants – such as the O’Neill Surfing Championships or the Adventure Racing World Championships – as well as many hundreds of events listed in the H2007 programme.
 
What happens in 2008?

The remit for Highland 2007 includes the commitment to leave a legacy for the Highlands beyond the year itself.  It is intended that as far as possible events taking place within the Highland 2007 programme will continue in 2008 and beyond.  It is also intended that the bar will have been raised for the standard of events taking place in the Highlands and Islands as a result of Highland 2007.  Capital projects given support from Highland 2007 will leave tangible benefits for communities throughout the Highlands and Islands for years to come.
 
How will other cultures be recognised?
 
By offering funding to communities throughout the Highlands and Islands through a range of grant programmes, anyone wishing to organise an event highlighting their culture within Highland 2007 was able to do so in the run up to the year. Several awards were made in this capacity.  The theme for the Inverness Fest Fringe in 2007 will be the relationships between different cultures in the Highlands today.  
 
What is the budget for the Year of Highland Culture?
 
The total budget for Highland 2007 currently stands at £14 million, contributed mainly by three funding agencies: The Highland Council, The Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  Around half of the budget is contributed ‘in-kind’ by the three funding agencies.  Within this budget, almost £4.5 million in cash has been made available in grants for capital and revenue events and projects within the Highlands and Islands to enable community groups to organise celebrations of Highland culture within their own local areas. Funding has also been contributed by the five other council areas within the Highlands and Islands (Argyll and Bute Council, Moray Council, Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council, and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar). Highland 2007 has also had generous support from sponsors and other partners.