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Culture Secretary announces increased funding for Scotland’s Winter Festivals

People across Scotland are set to experience the country’s biggest ever Winter Festival celebrations this year.

A record £390,000 will support 22 key cultural events which will form parts of Scotland’s Winter Festivals 2015/16 programme. An additional £75,000 has been approved this year to expand the line-up to more areas.

Events will take place in 14 local authorities, with new programme activity in four regions not previously involved - Aberdeen, Dundee, East Ayrshire and Falkirk.

Events will run across Scotland from St Andrew’s Day, through Christmas and Hogmanay, to Burns Night to promote and showcase Scotland as a modern and creative nation with a rich heritage. The programme will provide an opportunity to celebrate the best in Scottish music, arts, food and drink.

Announcing the funding, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said:

“This year’s programme sends a clear message that Scotland is open for business during the winter period.

“We want to build on Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme year on year. By increasing the funding package available, I hope these dynamic events will engage, inspire and mobilise communities across Scotland, the UK and internationally.

“The programme offers Scotland a chance to promote and showcase itself as a modern and creative nation, while highlighting our contribution to the world. The number of tourists visiting Scotland rose by 5% during 2014 to more than 15 million.”

In addition, the Scottish Government has provided BEMIS with a funding contribution of £46,050 to support the multi-cultural celebration of the 2015 Year of Food and Drink and Scotland’s Winter Festivals 2015/16. A key element of the wider programme will support specific activity designed by Scotland’s minority ethnic communities in support of the Winter Festivals.

The celebrations begin in the lead up to St Andrew’s Day on 30th November with major events in Aberdeen, Argyll and Bute, Dundee, East Lothian, Fife, Glasgow, Dundee and Perth and Kinross. The Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh will also host a St Andrew’s Day Celebration event. The money also supports the Virgin Money Street of Light which begins on St Andrew’s Day as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas.

Five Hogmanay celebrations will be supported through the fund, with events in The Western Isles, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Stirling.

A range of events will also take place across Scotland to celebrate Burns Night, including Burns Unpluggedat the National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh. The Scottish Storytelling Centre will host Burnsfest 2016,while the Big Burns Supper Festival will be held in Dumfries and Galloway. A Big Burns Stramash in the Highlands and Alloway 1759 will take place in South Ayrshire, while Burns Birthday in Mauchline will be held in East Ayrshire.

Further information on all the individual events can be found on www.scotland.org/winter

Notes To Editors

SWF: Event Activity and Funding Allocations

Scotland’s Winter Festivals

• Scotland's Winter Festivals is a campaign led by The Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with VisitScotland Events Directorate, supporting celebrations of Scotland's three national days - St Andrew’s Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night. Scotland's Winter Festivals run from November until the end of January.
• Scots, at home and abroad, come together to celebrate Scotland’s unique heritage and distinctive culture through Scotland’s Winter Festivals - St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night.
• Anyone, whether they are Scottish or have an interest in Scotland, can join in the celebration of winter events taking place across the country. Find out what’s happening near you at www.scotland.org/winter.​
• A vibrant winter event programme brings together people from all over the world to celebrate Scotland’s modern culture and traditions through the best selection of Scottish music, arts, food and drink, innovation and entertainment.
• Scotland is a year round destination for visitors, welcoming over 15 million people every year to our shores. St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night all offer a reason to come and celebrate here in Scotland or anywhere else around the world.

​Appendix

• St Andrew’s Day and Burns Night funding for the Scottish Storytelling Centre is shared.

​Contact Information

SG Communications

SGCommunications@scot.gov.uk

Joseph Walton

joseph.walton@scot.gov.uk

Downloads

Edinburgh's Hogmanay - Cityscape

Winter Festivals - Burns Night