What's New

• 29 July 2010

  Mark Foster launches British Gas Great Scottish Swim

  

  Five times Olympian and Strictly Come Dancing Star Mark Foster was joined by swimmers in wetsuits as they gathered on one of Glasgow’s busiest streets on Friday 23 July to mark the launch of the British Gas Great Scottish Swim.

  Foster, who is one of the UK’s most successful swimmers, said: “It is amazing to see how much the British Gas Great Scottish Swim has grown since last year. It is a new challenge that seems to have really captured the nation’s imagination and the best thing about it is that anyone can take part”.

  The swimming legend gave training advice to the group in preparation of their participation in the one mile outdoor swim which will be staged for the second time in Strathclyde Loch, North Lanarkshire. The swimmers will be taking the plunge next month to raise money for Wobbly Williams-a charity set up by Bryn Williams who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 36 in September 2007.  Bryn will be attending the swim, which takes place on August 21, to support the Wobbly Williams swimmers.

  EventScotland, the national events agency, are supporting the British Gas Great Scottish Swim for the second year along with North Lanarkshire Council.

  Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland said, “Strathclyde Loch is a wonderful location for the Great Scottish Swim to be staged and EventScotland are pleased to be supporting it once again.  The event attracts interest and participation from Scotland and further afield including a strong line-up of world class swimmers. The international and elite element adds to the fun and excitement for everyone involved.”

  Category: International Events
• 28 July 2010

  First Minister Announces funding for food and drink events

  

  The £25,000 awarded to events in the Highlands will support activities showcasing the finest Scottish cuisine and encourages greater use of local and seasonal produce. Scotland's Year of Food and Drink, which started in May, aims to build on Homecoming Scotland 2009.

  Alex Salmond said: "The Year of Food and Drink is a fitting opportunity to celebrate the work of our wonderful local food and drink producers. The food and drink sector is key to our economic recovery. Visitors to Scotland spend one pound in every five on food and drink-related activity, and we produce some of the finest produce in the world.

  "We have a busy programme on the horizon to keep up momentum and help the industry-led Scotland Food and Drink meet its target of growing the value of the sector to £12.5billion by 2017."

  Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead added: "Scottish food and drink exports increased by 10% in value up to the end of March this year, however that doesn't begin to tell the full story behind the success story of our national larder. At the moment tourism contributes £737million towards the value of food and drink in Scotland - our ambitious target is to raise that to £900million by 2017."

  Events supported for the year include The Royal National Mod in October, a day-long celebration of organic and local produce, called Living Food, at Cawdor Castle in Nairn on September 25, and Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running on October 3.

  Scotland's Year of Food and Drink is a Scottish Government initiative delivered by EventScotland and VisitScotland. It is supported by Scotland Food and Drink, which helps companies to increase profitability and aims to make the industry grow in size.

  The year, which has a core budget of £500,000, will end with the Food and Drink Excellence Awards in May.
• 21 July 2010

  Second batch of acts confirmed for Loopallu

  

  Loopallu is delighted to announce the second batch of acts appearing for it’s sixth outing in the west coast of Scotland’s picturesque village of Ullapool this September.

  First up we can confirm one of the most eagerly anticipated new acts in the UK (having only played 2 London shows to date), Mt Desolation (pictured above) will be joining us on the Saturday in the Big Top.

  Not only is this Alt-County group fronted by Tim Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quin (who are better known in their roles with Keane), their debut album due for release later this year also features performances from members of The Killers, Mumford & Sons, Noah And The Whale, The Long Winters and Pete Roe.

  Also added to the bill are the wonderful Aberfeldy who are set to release their third album ‘Somewhere to Jump From’ on August 23rd and rising traditional music stars Skerryvore.

  These acts join other recent announcements, Scottish indie heroes Idlewild, Turin Brakes who make their first ever Highland Festival appearance, BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ‘Best Live Act’ (2010) nominee Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds, local favourites The Vatersay Boys and a touch of electronic folk from Silver Columns.

  The ‘Little Fest in the West’ has built up an amazing reputation over the past five years, becoming the perfect way to say farewell to the festival season.

  Situated in the pretty fishing village of Ullapool, on the shores of Loch Broom in the North West Highlands Loopallu is a weekend for all. With activities for all ages and music for all ears, it’s been described as a family gathering you’d actually like to go to!

  Fantastic local food and drink aplenty along with the now legendary late night fringe throughout the village, which last year included impromptu performances from the likes of Mumford and Sons, promises to make Loopallu yet again the perfect way to finish your festival season.

  Category: National Events