Highland 2007

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Highland 2007 is a year-long celebration of Highland culture which will take place from January to December 2007. It will involve local communities throughout the Scottish Highlands and Islands as well as people across Scotland, the UK and beyond.

The concept of 2007 as 'Scotland's Year of Highland Culture' was suggested by First Minister of the Scottish Parliament, Jack McConnell. During the Convention of Highlands and Islands in 2003, he declared that he was so impressed by the momentum built up by the failed Inverness/Highlands bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008, that he would back a celebration of Highland culture in 2007.

Its proponents have claimed that Highland 2007 will bring significant economic and social benefits which will endure well beyond the celebrations themselves. However, there has been criticism of the event as being Inverness-centric and marginalising the Gaelic language.

[edit] Events

The programme of events developed for Highland 2007 encompassed the Arts, the Environment, Heritage, Language, Science and Sport. Street Parties, a rededication of Culloden Battlefield, a homecoming for expatriot Orcadians, a marathon in Inverness and a showcase of Gaelic Song with Anne Lorne Gilles have been planned. Rock band Runrig will also be playing Drumnadrochit.

The year will officially start on the 12th of January 2007 in Inverness with a street party and a reencatment of the historic shinty match between Strathglass Shinty Club and Glenurquhart Shinty Club at the Bught Park.

The Monster Street Party in Inverness
The Monster Street Party in Inverness

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