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Fiona Hampton
Highland Fling
Fiona Hampton is Director of Highland 2007, a year of events, from the World Porridge-making Championship to a Viking Festival, celebrating highland culture, past, present and future. She tells us why she thinks it will be a great year for the Highlands and Islands region…
Highland 2007 was launched in the City of Inverness on the
evening of 12 January. The celebrations began at 7pm with the Highland
2007 launch and the Lifescan Monster Street Party.
Fiona tells us:
"Although the weather was blustery, we were lucky to get a window
in the weather for the launch of the event to go ahead as planned.
"First Minister Jack McConnell*, officially launched the year with
the help of Inverness Gaelic Choir, the winners of the Royal National
Mod (Scotland's festival of the Gaelic language, arts and culture), the
Massed Pipes and Drums of the Highlands, a spectacular fireworks
display which lit up Inverness castle and the River Ness
along with traditional music group, Blazin Fiddles.
"Highland 2007 was born out of the Inverness and Highlands bid to
be European City of Culture 2008. Representatives from Highlands and
Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Government and The Highland Council
decided to have a year where Scotland celebrates Highland
culture instead.
"We hope it will give the people who live in the area an increased sense of pride and confidence and I hope visitors will feel the same. It will also give an economic boost to the region – building upon regeneration that’s already begun.
"Between 15,000 and 20,000 people attended the launch which was a fantastic turnout. The activities throughout the year range across the six strands of culture: arts, sport, heritage, language, science and environment. The Monster Street Party showed a more contemporary face of the Highlands too. It's most famous icon, the Loch Ness Monster invited her European cousins so over 60 monsters from nine different street theatre companies based throughout Europe took part in the celebrations. It was a truly cosmopolitan mix with a breathtaking performance by French aerial ballet company Transe Express, which wowed the crowds."
The Highlands have been preparing for Highland 2007 since 2004. Fiona explains:
"About two years ago we established management groups in each area of the Highlands and Islands. We asked reps from the local enterprise networks and local authority to form the groups and stimulate applications from local areas to reflect how people wanted to celebrate their culture.
"We were delighted by the enthusiasm, diversity and infectious effect it has had on getting people involved.
"We also wanted to include acts from outwith the region. In addition to local funding we worked with national event organizer EventScotland to encourage them to bring events to area.
Highland 2007 has also secured one of the biggest stars in the world.
"Sir Elton John will be the opening event for InvernessFest, a new festival taking place in the Highland capital from 15-29 July 2007. The programme reflects the multicultural face of the Highlands and also features the Tulloch Inverness Highland Games, featuring the World Highland Games Championship and the RBS International Highland Tattoo and the European Pipe Band Championships."
So why would you come to Scotland, and in particular the Highlands and Islands? Fiona has no hesitation in telling us why.
"Scotland is a great place to live, work and visit. There are probably two key reasons why: First there is the environment – you can't live, work or do business in any better environment than the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. And secondly the people – it’s they who make it so very special."
"My favourite place is Dornoch, a town in Sutherland. I was married
there and my son was christened there – long before Madonna went!" (The
singer Madonna married Guy Ritchie in Dornoch Cathedral).
"If you're thinking of coming to the Highlands and Islands, simply
look forward to a different pace of life. Don't try to hurry it. When I
first came to the Highlands I was frustrated with the slow pace, then
you realise it's the right one. So take time to lift your head off the
desk and look around. And if you are visiting make sure you allow time
to enjoy the local communities and the people you'll meet here."
February 2007
* Archived Material - May 2007 Alex Salmond was elected as First Minister
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