News. Scotland is The Perfect Stage SCOTLAND THE PERFECT STAGE WINTER ISSUE

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1 SCOTLAND THE PERFECT STAGE WINTER ISSUE 18 News Scotland is The Perfect Stage This month saw the launch of a new strategy to keep Scotland s events industry ahead of the international competition. THE PERFECT STAGE, a strategy for the events industry in Scotland has been developed in partnership with the events industry and other stakeholders by EventScotland and updates the 2002 Major Events Strategy which brought the national events agency into existence. The new document provides a framework to guide the activity of Scotland s successful events industry through the next decade and beyond, was launched at the National Events Conference at The Gleneagles Hotel on 2 December. Making the announcement Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism said: Winning the Commonwealth Games for Glasgow and The Ryder Cup for Scotland in 2014 and hosting annual world class events such as the Edinburgh International Festival, has firmly established Scotland as a world leading international events destination. Events yield significant benefits for Scotland. That is why we asked our national events agency, EventScotland, to lead in this area on behalf of the nation and to develop The Perfect Stage, a plan which gives strategic direction and which we hope will act as a reference point for all organisations involved in the events industry in Scotland. Through The Perfect Stage EventScotland has updated its vision and mission, with the national events agency looking ahead to 2020 as a key year when Scotland will be firmly established as a world leading events destination. MORE ON PAGE TWO INSIDE CHRIS HOY ANNOUNCES SCOTLAND S LATEST CYCLING AMBITION. PLUS FULL INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL EVENTS PROGRAMME NEWS

2 02 03 INTERNATIONAL EVENTS A new strategy to guide Scotland s events industry PAUL BUSH OBE, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF EVENTSCOTLAND THE PUBLICATION of Scotland s refreshed events strategy, The Perfect Stage represents significant progress in the industry s development on the world stage. Scotland s first strategy, published in 2002, brought EventScotland into existence and has guided the work of the national events agency through the first five years. In that time our events industry has gone from strength to strength and Scotland s portfolio of events now extends to 2014, when both the Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup will be staged in our country. It is therefore the right time to extend our vision to the next decade. The Perfect Stage takes account of the new and emerging opportunities for Scotland as a leading destination for events of all sizes. It also describes how events can help Scotland rise to some of the challenges we face in an increasingly competitive global economy. Scotland s success in delivering international and regional events is down to the individuals and the partnerships across the country that have worked together to build the reputation Scotland now has a leading nation in the international events industry. The Perfect Stage reiterates the need for joint working as we look to build our country s position further. The revised vision in The Perfect Stage acknowledges that with the securing of the Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup in 2014 substantial progress has been made towards establishing Scotland as one of the world s foremost events destinations. The strategy builds on the good work to date and in a review of EventScotland s activities since 2003, partners were complimentary about the professional and focused approach taken by EventScotland. EventScotland was created to lead all partners in Scotland in implementing an events strategy and will RIGHT: Up and coming cyclist Kevin Stewart from Dundee with double gold medal winning paralympian Aileen McGlynn and triple gold medal winning Olympian Chris Hoy. continue to do so. This strategy will guide EventScotland in its work to maximise the impact of events for Scotland. It is envisaged that the events industry will use this strategy as an underpinning principle to its own plans and activities. The updated mission is based on a firm belief within Scotland, supported by clear evidence shared around the world, that events generate economic growth, both through a positive impact and subsequent legacy. If the Scottish events industry, with leadership from EventScotland, is successful in delivering the 2020 vision, then Scotland will be recognised worldwide as a leader in the delivery of events; have events taking place in Scotland throughout each calendar year and throughout the country; and the events industry will be a significant contributor to Scotland s economy. These are exciting times for Scotland s events industry. This strategy will guide the industry through the next decade, ensuring we capitalise on the many successes so far achieved and others still to come. On behalf of EventScotland I look forward to continuing to work with all our partners and would like to pass on best wishes for Christmas and a successful new year. Our 2020 vision Scotland established as the perfect stage for events. Our mission To develop a portfolio of events that delivers impact and international profile for Scotland. Campaigns are planned to attract festival-goers from rival cultural hotspots like London, Barcelona and Montreal Festivals 450,000 marketing boost LATEST SUCCESSES FOR SCOTLAND Three year deal secures Intercontinental Rally Challenge INTERNATIONAL EVENTS NEWS Golden Oldies scrum-thing else Scotland on track for World Cup CHRIS HOY was at EventScotland s national conference earlier this month to announce Scotland s bid to host a stage of the UCI s prestigious track cycling World Cup. Speaking at the conference at The Gleneagles Hotel, Hoy described the commitment made by EventScotland, British Cycling and Culture and Sport Glasgow as a very exciting development for cycling in Scotland. The World Cup announcement exemplifies Scotland s new events strategy, Scotland The Perfect Stage, which was launched at the conference. Scotland s hero of the Beijing Olympics said: To see world track racing in Scotland ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games would be a massive boost for the sport in this country and will hopefully encourage more youngsters. It is a sport that ignites real excitement amongst spectators, whether they re long standing cycling fans or new to the sport. I fully support and commend EventScotland, British Cycling and Culture and Sport Glasgow for their determination to achieve this. Also at the announcement, Jonny Clay, Cycle Sport and Membership Director of British Cycling said: British Cycling has hosted a round of the track cycling world cup in five of the last six years and will do so again at Manchester in 2009/10. Our aim is to bid to host a Track World Cup in the UK every year and we are committed to bringing this to Glasgow in the winter of 2012/2013 if our bid is successful. EDINBURGH S FESTIVALS will receive a 450,000 funding boost to kick-start their first joint marketing drive. A new brand for the capital's world famous events, worldwide promotional campaigns, TV and cinema adverts and a one-stop-shop website are all expected to be created over the next year. The Scottish Government will provide 250,000 to get the initiative off the ground during Homecoming in 2009, with other funding coming from City of Edinburgh Council, which is providing 100,000 and EventScotland and Scottish Enterprise, contributing 50,000 each. In addition to Scottish marketing activity, there will be campaigns to attract festival-goers from rival cultural hotspots like London, Barcelona and Montreal and work to tap into new markets such as Russia and India. More than 150 hours of footage shot at this summer's festivals is expected to be used to promote the festivals via websites, mobile phones, s, and adverts. SCOTLAND WILL stage the final round of the prestigious Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) next year, forming a centrepiece event within the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations. The event, secured by EventScotland working in partnership with Stirling, Perth and Kinross Councils and International Motor Sports will also be staged in Scotland on 2010 and Scotland s 2009 stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge will take place November. It will be the first time in 20 years that the country has hosted a rally of this stature. The Intercontinental Rally Challenge was introduced in 2006 as a new rally series, carrying the endorsement of the FIA and is closely based on production cars, with two litre, normally-aspirated engines. This format is designed to attract more manufacturers to the sport and is now supported by Fiat, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Volkswagen. The international-status event will be decided by three days of competitive driving over timed Special Stages on closed Forestry Commission Scotland gravel roads in Stirlingshire and Perthshire. There will be a ceremonial start, service stop and high profile village featuring additional activities for the many thousands of spectators expected. Eurosport is the global promoter of the IRC series and will be showing live footage, as well as highlight programmes, through their international network. The event will attract around 8.5 hours broadcast coverage in total, with 1.5 hours shown live. The coverage will showcase Scotland's natural assets, with the route taking in some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer. In addition to significant TV and media exposure, organisers anticipate spectator numbers at the event to grow in excess of 100,000 as the event becomes more established. The broadcast will showcase Scotland's natural assets, with the route taking in some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer. EDINBURGH WAS the outstanding host of the 17th Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival, earning nearly 6.5 million for the country s economy. The city itself benefited from 4.8 million of this as 3,000 participants from across the world came to play rugby, sight-see, shop and celebrate at this carnival style event. The economic impact of the event exceeded organisers expectations, delivering more than at the last festival held in Wellington, New Zealand in The festival was secured and delivered through a partnership of EventScotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Enterprise, Edinburgh Convention Bureau, VisitScotland, Scottish Rugby as well as the ground operators Gullivers Sports Travel. Commenting on the success of the festival, Air New Zealand Events Manager, Keith Robinson said: The key to the success of the week-long Festival of Rugby was the partnership with EventScotland, and the agency s ability to bring together such a strong city partnership to host the event. In a further development Scottish Rugby plans to take advantage of the legacy resulting from the festival, with the first Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby mini-festival scheduled for April PAGE 02 EVENTSCOTLAND WINTER Links to all event websites can be found at EventScotland.org PAGE 03

3 04 INTERNATIONAL EVENTS PREVIEW 05 It s time for Homecoming - it s time to celebrate CAPITAL READY TO PARTY EDINBURGH S HOGMANAY 29 DECEMBER, JANUARY, 2009 THE HOMECOMING Scotland 2009 programme will launch over the weekend of Burns 250th birthday with events planned in key locations across Scotland around 25 January. Included is the Homecoming Burns Supper in Alloway; a major celebration of the Bard at Celtic Connections in Glasgow; Burns Light, a huge lantern procession in Dumfries and, for the very first time Scotland s collection of Burns treasures will be brought together in a landmark touring exhibition, opening in Edinburgh. Homecoming Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative managed by EventScotland, in partnership with VisitScotland. Robert Burns is the inspiration for Homecoming Scotland as 2009 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland s national poet with celebrations beginning on Burns Night, and running through to St Andrew s Day on 30 November. As well as Robert Burns, Homecoming Scotland events also celebrate some of the other great contributions Scotland has given the world golf, whisky, great Scottish minds and innovations, and as the ancestral home to millions of people around the world. Homecoming Scotland will engage the Scottish population as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture and heritage. The programme of inspirational events has been specially created for the year by partner organisations working with EventScotland s Homecoming team and details can be found at Book your place at the world's biggest Burns Supper celebration HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009, in partnership with The Famous Grouse, launched The World Famous Burns Supper Celebration as part of the Homecoming Scotland programme. For the first time ever The World Famous Burns Supper Celebration will unite both experienced Burnsians and Burns novices around the world encouraging them to come together online, registering their celebrations big, small, traditional or unusual. The aim is to show the world that Burns legacy continues to go from strength to strength and that his message of friendship and Auld Lang Syne lives on, joining people all over the world. A new website has been created to capture everyone s plans for celebrating this landmark Burns Night and establish a new world record for the greatest number of Burns suppers ever held. Every supper registered will be flagged on an interactive world map demonstrating the global reach of Burns today. The website will also provide a range of Burns material including a step by step guide to hosting a Burns supper complete with menu ideas from some of Scotland s leading chefs, invitation templates, poems, songs, film clips and music downloads. Explaining the idea behind the World Famous Burns Supper Celebration, Marie Christie, Homecoming Scotland project director said: We wanted to get the year off to a great start, focusing on the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns ensuring that as many people as possible mark this important occasion. By extending the invitation around the world for everyone to celebrate Burns, we hope to increase the awareness of Scotland s special year, encouraging visitors to make the trip here to take part in some of the many inspirational events that will take place. To mark the occasion The Famous Grouse has also specially commissioned 250 bottles of a limited edition of The Famous Grouse, 37 year old blended malt, signifying every year of Burns extraordinary life. The bottles will be auctioned to some of the most prestigious Burns Suppers around the world helping raise money for charity. Gerry O Donnell, Director of the Famous Grouse, said: With an estimated 45 million Scottish descendents around the world, this is a great opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate Scotland. Scotland is a great place to celebrate Burns Night, particularly in 2009, but if you can t get to Scotland you can still take part in the celebrations by joining the World Famous Burns Supper Celebration. Invite your friends, families and colleagues to join you by visiting EDINBURGH S HOGMANAY will host a world-class programme of celebrations featuring inspirational new events and stunning performances. In addition to a line up of top British musicians and bands, this year s celebrations contain a number of new elements, some supported by EventScotland, and designed to mark the move from 2008 to 2009 the year when Scotland celebrates its year of Homecoming. The Dancin is one new event. Part funded by EventScotland and City of Edinburgh Council this unticketed and free event will take place on 30 December in the Grassmarket. This will be the first event to be held in the new Grassmarket event area and is designed to highlight how Scottish dance has influenced the world whilst showcasing some of the best of Scottish talent. In a further move EventScotland s Homecoming team is working with the producers of Edinburgh s Hogmanay to ensure that the Hogmanay crowd is united in a major rendition of Auld Lang Syne heralding the launch of the Homecoming year and the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns. The Homecoming theme will also be present during The Torchlight procession on 29 December, with a dramatic fire-sculpture with a Homecoming Scotland theme. One of the most anticipated cultural aspects to the programme is the debut of Feet First, a brand new, specially commissioned event for January 1, Showcasing the best of Scottish street performance and outdoor arts in an inspiring and fantastical production focused on the optimism and hopes for the new year ahead. TOP RUNNERS SET FOR WINTER GLORY BUPA GREAT EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY AND GREAT WINTER RUNS 10 JANUARY, 2009 THE EVENT will see thousands of runners of all abilities aged 14 and over take to Holyrood Park for the 5k BUPA Great Winter Run. The BUPA Great Winter Run is part of a great day of winter running in Holyrood Park. The Junior Winter Run, a 2.5km run for youngsters aged 7-13 years, starts off the day whilst the BUPA Great Edinburgh International Cross Country races are the highlight of the afternoon s events. The 2008 BUPA Great Edinburgh International Cross Country races saw Olympic Champion, Kenenisa Bekele complete a hat-trick of victories, having dominated the event since The country s top cross country event also saw Bekele s fellow countrywoman Gelete Burka achieve a third consecutive win in her 6km race promises more great races from some of the world s best athletes and all the action will be broadcast live on BBC ONE. EventScotland is supporting the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country with 100,000 and is working in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council. SCOTLAND READY TO BACK MURRAY DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS 6 8 MARCH, 2009 THE BRAEHEAD Arena in Renfrewshire will host the Euro-Africa Zone Group One quarterfinal tie against Ukraine, with the winner going on to compete in the World Group play-offs in September. John Lloyd, GB Davis Cup Captain, said: Home Davis Cup ties are a fantastic opportunity to get behind the team and we will be looking for plenty of support when we take on Ukraine next year. We last played the Ukraine in 2006 in Odessa. It was a tough tie and we will certainly not be underestimating them - the support of a passionate crowd in Scotland could well make all the difference. Hundreds of children will have the opportunity to watch Andy Murray and other world class players for free when the competition returns to Scotland. The event has been secured by EventScotland working with the Lawn Tennis Association, Renfrewshire Council and the Braehead Arena. MORE LAUGHS IN GLASGOW MAGNERS GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL MARCH, 2009 THE MAGNERS Glasgow International Comedy Festival is now in its 7th year and is going to be even bigger and better in 2009, with over 350 shows taking place across 40 venues. Past festivals have attracted some of the best comic talent from the UK and abroad. Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, and Ross Noble are already confirmed headline acts for is an exciting year for the festival as it celebrates Homecoming Scotland with a host of shows including hilarious home grown talent, international acts and some homecoming stars. EventScotland has invested 30,000 in the comedy festival and is working with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau. PAGE 04 EVENTSCOTLAND WINTER Links to all event websites can be found at EventScotland.org PAGE 05

4 06 Previews REGIONAL EVENTS PROGRAMME The Regional Events Programme complements EventScotland s international work by investing in events that showcase towns and regions across the country, helping these events and festivals develop and grow. Here are the first 2009 events awarded support through the programme - many of them linking with the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations. DEADLINE ALERTS! The next deadline for applications to the Regional Events Programme is 6 February 2009 and is open to all events taking place between July 2009 and June More information at EventScotland.org 07 EVENT PROFILE The Success of the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival THE KIRKINTILLOCH Canal Festival is an annual celebration of the town s heritage, linking closely with its regeneration programme. The festival was first awarded EventScotland support for the 2007 event and its development highlights the importance of taking a strategic approach to planning, as festival manager David Gear explains. THE FESTIVAL provides local people and visitors with a fun packed August weekend on and around the Forth & Clyde Canal. The festival s lead partner, East Dunbartonshire Council s Economic Development & Tourism Team has, with EventScotland Regional Programme support, implemented a growth plan over the last two years which has seen the festival almost treble in size since It now attracts more than 25,000 visitors and 380,000 net spend in the local economy. Key to this success has been the effective expansion of the festival s events programme and marketing activity. EventScotland funding has enabled the piloting and development of a new Saturday evening programme. The festival s marketing strategy has also developed significantly with EventScotland funding. Visitor records show a big increase in people attending from outwith the local area, with visitors to the 2008 event travelling from across Scotland and other parts of the UK. Kirkintilloch is going through a time of change with many key regeneration projects now coming to fruition. The expansion and growth of the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival is a key part of the area s regeneration, helping to raise the profile of the town and its many attractions, whilst generating a sizeable injection of income into the local economy each year. Our plans for 2009 will see the event capitalise on this success. The festival has almost trebled in size since Key to this success has been the effective expansion of the festival s events programme and marketing activity. BURNS LIGHT ON BURNS NIGHT 25 JANUARY, DUMFRIES, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY Burns Light promises to be an amazing spectacle as Dumfries takes centre stage for the opening weekend of Homecoming Scotland Lantern processions inspired by the works of Robert Burns will wind through the historic heart of Dumfries to meet at the Whitesands for live music and entertainment. MELROSE SEVENS APRIL, SCOTTISH BORDERS Rugby 7s was founded in Melrose in 1883 and the game of rugby 7s is now played on an international stage from Hong Kong to Scotland is the 126th playing of the Melrose Sevens with an extended tournament and guest teams. ISLE OF BUTE JAZZ FESTIVAL 30 APRIL 4 MAY, ARGYLL AND BUTE The annual Isle of Bute Jazz Festival has a well deserved reputation as Scotland s premier traditional jazz gathering after 21 successful years. In 2009 the organisers will be presenting contemporary jazz, folk and rhythm and blues which will appeal to a wider audience, who will all be encouraged to Come Home to Bute for the 2009 gathering. DARVEL MUSIC FESTIVAL MAY, DARVEL, EAST AYRSHIRE The festival plays a key part in helping to regenerate the town. Audiences have been drawn to this friendly festival for the last eight years and it is now established as a significant fixture on the regional music scene. GOUROCK HIGHLAND GAMES 10 MAY, GOUROCK, INVERCLYDE Gourock Highland Games is Inverclyde's most popular annual event and regularly attracts visitors from all over Scotland and beyond. The games focus is on traditional competitions for pipe bands, heavy athletics and highland dancing as well as arts, crafts and sports. Etape Caledonia Kirkcaldy Comedy Festival ETAPE CALEDONIA MAY, PERTH AND KINROSS Etape Caledonia is the only closed road cycle event in the UK, taking place across scenic Perthshire. The 81 mile route offers cyclists the chance to cycle on closed roads in safety, whilst providing a real challenge through some breathtaking Scottish countryside. COAST FESTIVAL OF THE VISUAL ARTS MAY, ABERDEENSHIRE COAST Festival of the Visual Arts is an annual festival of weekend-long events, which takes place in the beautiful Banffshire Coast towns of Banff & Macduff. COAST THE BREWIN DOLPHIN SCOTTISH SERIES MAY, TARBET, LOCH FYNE With around 200 yachts taking part, the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series is the biggest sailing regatta of its kind in Scotland. Sailors and spectators from across Europe will be in the picturesque west coast village of Tarbet for a weekend of racing. 10 UNDER THE BEN 30 MAY, NEVIS RANGE FORT WILLIAM, HIGHLANDS Ten under the Ben is a ten hour mountain bike enduro run over a ten mile lap, in Leanachan forest at Nevis Range. The event will see more than 1,000 mountain bike enthusiasts take up the challenge as well as enjoy the entertainment, relaxed atmosphere and some of the best recreational trails that Scotland has to offer. NAIRN BOOK AND ARTS FESTIVAL 4 14 JUNE, MORAY The 6th Nairn Book and Arts Festival will celebrate the Year of Homecoming with the addition of a new art competition. It will be open to all artists in Scotland and themed homecoming, with good prizes and high profile judges. THE CROSSING JUNE, CALEDONIAN CANAL, HIGHLANDS The Crossing is a unique flotilla event, celebrating the Caledonian Canal, its innovative engineering, and its contribution to Scottish history and the Scottish Enlightenment. Spanning the entire length of the canal from Fort William to Inverness, and as part of Homecoming Scotland, the event highlights the history of canal navigation. BORDERS BOOK FESTIVAL JUNE, MELROSE, SCOTTISH BORDERS Add over 40 world-class events with some of today s finest writers and bestknown writers, one of the most stunning backdrops in Scotland and you have all the ingredients for the perfect book festival. The Crossing Borders Book Festival The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival JOHNSMAS FOY JUNE, SHETLAND ISLES There s always a strong line-up of local and international events at Shetland s summer festival. One highlight that visitors never forget is the simmer dim, the time at midsummer when Shetland enjoys endless daylight. THE OUTSIDER JUNE, ROTHIEMURCHUS ESTATE, HIGHLANDS The Outsider is Britain s music and outdoor festival held in the inspiring landscape of Cairngorm National Park on the historic Rothiemurchus Estate. The Outsider offers a range of outdoor activities, along with bands on several stages, DJs, movies, comedy and debate. DUNDEE LITERARY FESTIVAL JUNE, DUNDEE Dundee has a rich literary heritage. It was here that Mary Shelley first imagined Frankenstein and it is the hometown of AL Kennedy, one of Scotland's finest modern writers. The literary festival showcases local talent and brings internationally renowned authors to the city. THE SCOTTISH TRADITIONAL BOAT FESTIVAL 2 5 JULY, PORTSOY, ABERDEENSHIRE Visitors will be able to explore their roots and take part in a colourful celebration of Scotland's great maritime heritage as part of the Homecoming celebrations. There will be a gathering of traditional boats and international exponents of classic boat building and sailing. There is also a programme of music, song and dance. Ayr Flower Show The Outsider Festival TAY 2009 SCOTTISH 6-DAY ORIENTEERING EVENT 2 8 AUGUST, PERTH AND KINROSS Tay 2009 is the 17th biennial Scottish 6-Day Orienteering Event. Orienteering competitions are planned at different locations during the week, with an Event Centre at Perth Racecourse. The event attracts around 4,000 participants from all over the world. AYR FLOWER SHOW 7 9 AUGUST, AYRSHIRE Ayr Flower Show is a red letter weekend in the south west. Over three days the beautiful Rozelle Estate is transformed into a stunning showcase of horticulture, with Chelsea winners joining thousands of local competitors. KIRKCALDY COMEDY FESTIVAL 2009 SEPTEMBER TBC, FIFE Following the successful staging of a Comedy Taster Festival in September 2008, Kirkcaldy Town Centre Management Limited is organising a bigger and better eight-day Kirkcaldy Comedy Festival. Links to all event websites can be found on EventScotland.orgoo PAGE 06 EVENTSCOTLAND WINTER EventScotland.org PAGE 07

5 08 OTHER NEWS & EVENTS PREVIEW Events and Festivals celebrated at top awards UPDATES WITH SCOTTISH events and festivals there really is something for everyone and this was evident at this year s Thistle Awards. The awards, organised by VisitScotland, take place annually and recognise the best of tourism innovation in Scotland. The Events and Festivals category is sponsored by EventScotland and reflects the importance of the events industry to Scotland s tourism, with finalists nominated from two categories regional and national events. The winners for each category were announced at an impressive gathering in Glasgow on 24 October. Both winning events have been supported by EventScotland. The regional award went to Stena Line Wigtown Book Festival, Dumfries and Galloway. Established in 1999, the Wigtown Book Festival now comprises more than 115 events, has an audience of 8,000 and is a key date in the Scottish cultural calendar. The festival programme is critically acclaimed and attracts bigname authors. The festival s director, Adrian Turpin said: We are very pleased to have won this award. It is a validation of the huge amount of voluntary work done by people in the town to make it a success, but also of its 10 years as Scotland s national book town. The other finalists were also events supported through EventScotland s Regional programme: Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running and East Neuk Festival, Fife. The national award was won by Celtic Connections, an event that EventScotland continues to work closely with. Selling more than 100,000 tickets and running for over two weeks, Celtic Connections is Scotland s biggest traditional music festival and generates significant economic benefit in the low tourism season. By making use of 14 venues in Glasgow, and routinely attracting the highest quality international and Scottish artists, the event creates a fantastic experience for visiting participants and audiences. Jade Hewat, Celtic Connections festival manager, said that winning this year s award was an honour. We re delighted, she said. Celtic Connections really does brighten up January each year by bringing some of the best home-grown and international music talent to Glasgow. The festival also contributes significantly to Glasgow s reputation as an event and tourist destination. The other event finalists in this category were The UEFA Cup Final Glasgow 2007 and RockNess, Inverness. GREAT WIN FOR WORLD CROSS COUNTRY THIS YEAR S Sunday Mail Awards for the Best Sporting Event of 2008 went to the 36th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, held in Edinburgh in March. More than 12,000 athletics fans flooded into the capital for the event in Holyrood Park and EventScotland, the sponsor of the award, was delighted to see the World Cross emerge as the public s favourite event. Geoff Wightman, chief executive of Scottish Athletics was presented with the award by former 10,000m world champion Liz McColgan. He said: Receiving this recognition for the truly world class event that Scottish Athletics put on at the Cross Country World Championships is great. It really is the perfect finish to the season. Making the presentation Liz, whose daughter Eilish is a talented cross country runner, said: The World Cross Country Championships were the highlight of my year. The quality of the athletes was outstanding. BELLADRUM WINS COVETED MUSIC FESTIVAL AWARD FOLLOWING ITS most successful year ever, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival won the Grassroots Festival Award at the Virtual Festivals UK Festivals Awards The five-year-old festival was nominated for a record six awards this year and triumphed in the Grassroots category. The result was announced at a ceremony in London s O2 Centre. Receiving the award, festival co-director Joe Gibbs said: This was the one to win for us. Bella has grown organically from small beginnings into a festival that retains its intimacy and its deep-rooted community links. The festival offers an incredible range of quality music and performing arts and great value for money to an audience of all ages. INTERNATIONAL EVENTS For the diary EDINBURGH S HOGMANAY December 29, 2008 January 1, 2009 BUPA GREAT EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY AND GREAT WINTER RUNS January 10, 2009 HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009 January 25 - November 30, 2009 DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS March 6-8, 2009 MAGNERS GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2009 March 12-29, 2009 MURRAYFIELD MAGIC RFL WEEKEND May 2-3, 2009 BUPA GREAT EDINBURGH RUN 2009 May 3, 2009 HEINEKEN CUP FINAL 2009 May 23-24, 2009 EMIRATES AIRLINE EDINBURGH 7S May 30 - May 31, 2009 WORLD FLY FISHING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009 June 5-12, 2009 THE GATHERING July 25-26, 2009 INTERCONTINENTAL RALLY CHALLENGE 2009 November 19-21, 2009 EUROPEAN CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009 December 5-12, 2009 Further events will be confirmed shortly so please keep checking EventScotland.org Seeking EventScotland support for your event? Visit our website for more information and our event funding guidelines. If your event meets the criteria identified, please direct your enquiry to the relevant EventScotland Managers; International Events Programme: Stuart Turner Regional Events Programme: Rhona Corscadden All media enquiries should be directed to Sharon McKinley, Media Manager KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST EVENT NEWS Subscribe to the EventScotland RSS news feed and keep up with the latest events news. Simply log on to EventScotland.org, click on the orange RSS icon and follow the on-screen instructions. EVENTSCOTLAND NEWS ISSUE 18 WINTER EventScotland 5th Floor, Ocean Point One 94 Ocean Drive Edinburgh EH6 6JH information@eventscotland.org or Tel: +44 (0) EventScotland 2008 design Hillside Agency hillsideagency.com published by EventScotland Photography: Steve Lindrige/Ideal Images, Homecoming Scotland 2009, VisitScotland, Scotlandistheplace.com, Inspiring Edinburgh, Paul Tomkins/Scottish Viewpoint, others courtesy of relevant events.