Fèisean and festival bring in £3m

Held from September 1-9, the 19th edition of the festival included events across the Highlands and islands, including in Acharacle, Ballachulish, Roybridge, and Fort William.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s report was part of a broader report authored by Morag Anna MacLeod Mitchell, Gaelic Officer for the Highland Council, that was given to the council’s Gaelic Committee on March 28.

Ms Mitchell’s report included feedback on the Blas Festival, with 96 per cent of respondents saying they were satisfied with the festival, and 99 per cent saying it was value for money.

It also noted that the support the Highland Council provides the festival helped enable Fèisean nan Gàidheal to attract additional funding. This included money from Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and, for the first time, Iomairt Cholm Cille.

Chairperson of the council’s Gaelic Committee, Councillor Calum Munro, said the council recognised the benefits of supporting the Blas Festival.

“Support for the Blas Festival initially goes back to 1994 and I am pleased that the council was able to provide a level of continued support in 2023,” he said.

“Some of the cultural and linguistic benefits of the Blas Festival and Fèisean highlighted to us in this report strongly support the opportunities for people to use Gaelic in their communities and extend their educational opportunities in Gaelic.

“The economic impact of the Blas Festival providing leverage of £12 spent for every £1 is greatly welcomed in our communities.”

The report presented to the Gaelic Committee can be found on the Gaelic Committee’s page of Highland Council’s website www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/4959/gaelic_co mmittee_comataidh_na_gaidhlig.