WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL

Report by Executive Director of Housing, Environmental and Economic Development

Culture Sub-Committee: 20 March 2008 ______

Subject: 2009 - Year of Homecoming

1. Purpose

1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise the Cultural Sub-Committee of the progress towards organising events for the 2009 -Year of Homecoming.

2. Background

2.1 Funded by the , this year long programme is designed to “celebrate some of ’s great contributions to the world and its unique position as the home of Burns, Golf, Whisky, the Enlightenment and innovation, and of course as the ancestral home of those of Scots descent worldwide”.

2.2 The main objective is to develop economic growth for Scotland by generating additional tourism visits. Homecoming Scotland has secured funding from the Scottish Government to assist event organizers with £5,000 - £50,000 funding for an event that:-

• Delivers additional tourism visits and revenue for Scotland. • Engages with and motivates the Scottish diaspora. • Celebrates Scotland’s contributions to the world. • Promotes pride amongst Scots home and abroad.

The special themes for this funding are:-

• • Scottish Ancestry • Whisky • Golf • Innovation and the

Page 1 of 5 2.3 Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to motivate people of Scottish descent, as well as those who simply love Scotland, to come home in 2009 and take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.

2.4 Essential to the success of Homecoming Scotland 2009 is the creation of a strong and inspiring programme of events and activities taking place in Scotland during 2009 which will engage and motivate Scots at home and abroad to take part in the celebrations. The events programme will also mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.

3. Main Issues

3.1 Three applications associated with West Dunbartonshire have been submitted to the Homecoming 2009 Fund, two from the Events & Halls section and one from an external promoter.

3.2 The applications submitted are as follows:

• Application from Events & Halls section for funding in support of the 2009 Classical Music Event

• Application from Events & Halls section for funding in support of the 2009 Loch Lomond

• Application from Regular Music Ltd. for a Scottish contemporary music festival on the final Saturday in August 2009 headlined by a major Scottish band.

3.3 The 2009 Classical Music Event application seeks funding of £36,500. The event is proposed to be an open air concert at Balloch Castle Country Park which will showcase the best of Scottish musicians and artistes performing a popular mix of classical and contemporary music with a strong flavour of the works of Robert Burns flowing through the concert. Artistes in mind are Eddie Reader, Nicola Benedetti, Caledon, Red Hot Chilli Pipers etc. along with guests from Scottish Opera with a supporting orchestra, culminating with a fireworks finale, set within an iconic setting by the banks of Loch Lomond.

3.4 The additional funding of £36,500 for the Classical Music Event would fund enhanced elements as follows;

Marketing - Promoting the event to the widest possible target audience both at home and abroad

Whisky Bar - celebrating the “water of life” through sampling, historical information and specialist advice exhibition, presented by the Loch Fyne Whisky bar.

Robert Burns exhibition - exhibition and selected readings referring to his work in general and his associations with Loch Lomond and the local area.

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3.5 The 2009 Loch Lomond Highland Games Event application seeks funding of £31,941. This funding would be targeted towards adding the following elements to the Loch Lomond Highland Games;

Trace your roots - this event attraction will provide the facility for visitors to access information on their family history by utilising the Council’s resources e.g. registrar’s records, cemetery records, library resources etc. as well as other accessible public records. This aspect would therefore fit with Scottish Ancestry.

Whisky Bar - celebrating the “water of life” through a sampling, history, and specialist advice exhibition presented by the Loch Fyne Whisky bar.

Afternoon and Evening Ceilidh - giving visitors the opportunity to experience and participate in an iconic Scottish cultural and social event.

Robert Burns exhibition - exhibition and selected readings referring to his work in general and his associations with Loch Lomond and the local area.

3.6 The application from Regular Music Ltd. seeks support for a major Scottish music festival. A similar event staged by this promoter at Loch Ness in 2007 attracted a mixed/family audience of 19,000. Of the19,000 attending the event, ticket sales tracking indicated that 7,000 of these visitors were from outside Scotland.

3.7 The music festival would incorporate family camping and would seek to extend the event into Balloch by staging pre and post festival events at Moss O’ Balloch, for example a festival village, Ceilidh marquee, comedy club etc.

3.8 The outcome of the funding applications will be notified to applicants sometime around Friday 18 April 2008 as outlined in correspondence of 6 March 2008 from Homecoming Scotland (Appendices A & B).

4. Personnel Issues

4.1 There are no personnel issues associated with this report.

5. Financial Implications

5.1 As the two applications from the Council are for funding to enhance existing events, the Council events in question would not be adversely affected should these applications be declined.

5.2 Whilst the Regular Music event application seeks financial support for their event, it may be that case that this event will still be staged regardless of whether their funding application is agreed. This is a matter for Regular Music and would be subject to Council approval.

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6. Risk Analysis

6.1 There is no risk attached to the submission of these funding applications.

7. Conclusion

7.1 Should the funding applications be approved, both the Classical Music event and the Loch Lomond Highland Games will gain additional elements that should increase their appeal. The Regular Music event, should it transpire, will also add to the 2009 events programme.

7.2 Enhanced and additional events in 2009 should result in a greater number of tourist visits to the Balloch area thus bringing additional income into the local economy. These additional events would increase cultural and social activity within the area as well as promoting the area’s national profile and promoting a positive image of the Council.

8. Recommendations

8.1 The Sub-Committee is invited to note the content of this report.

Elaine Melrose Executive Director of Housing, Environmental and Economic Development Date: 12 March 2008 ______

Persons to Contact: Ronald M. Dinnie - Head of Land and Environment, Council Offices, Garshake Road, Dumbarton, telephone: 01389 737601, e-mail: ronald.dinnie@west- dunbarton.gov.uk

Lynda McLaughlin - Manager of Commercial Operations, Elm Road, Dumbarton, telephone: 01389 772097, e-mail: [email protected]

Billy McCabe - Section Head, Events and Halls, Rosebery Place, Clydebank, telephone: 01389 738548, e-mail: [email protected]

Appendices: Correspondence from Homecoming Scotland

Background Papers: None

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Wards Affected: All

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