Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 June 2026 [Draft]
24 Jun 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Island Communities (Support for Festivals)
I associate myself very much with the comments and requests of Kristopher Leask.
This weekend sees the second Water Sound bluegrass festival take place in Burray, in my Orkney constituency. I therefore ask the cabinet secretary to offer congratulations to the organisers, Pete and Gail McAndrew, for getting the festival up and running. Will she also acknowledge that sustaining festivals of that type relies heavily on musicians such as my good friend Douglas Montgomery, who was recently inducted into the Scottish traditional music hall of fame for services to the community?
In the same item of business
Kristopher Leask (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to festivals in island communities to ensure that they are sustainable. (S7O-00123)
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic (Màiri McAllan)
SNP
The Scottish Government and Creative Scotland have currently committed more than £13.5 million towards festivals on the islands. That comprises 16 awards tot...
Kristopher Leask
Green
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s answer and the additional support that has gone to island festivals.Festivals on our islands, such as the Orkney Folk Festi...
Màiri McAllan
SNP
I absolutely take on board the points that the member raises. My initial answer set out that more than £13.5 million is already being made available for fest...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I associate myself very much with the comments and requests of Kristopher Leask.This weekend sees the second Water Sound bluegrass festival take place in Bur...
Màiri McAllan
SNP
I absolutely recognise the contribution of the folks whose names Liam McArthur has put on the record. I wish Pete and Gail McAndrew the very best of luck for...