Argyllshire Gathering faces gap between festival funding request and recommendation

The local authority is due to rule on grant applications for its strategic events and festivals fund, with most bids set to be granted in full.

The Cowal Highland Gathering has been recommended for £30,000, the Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival is earmarked for £11,000 and the Tiree Wave Classic for £10,000.

Helensburgh Winter Festival is one of several events recommended to be awarded £5,000, with the town’s Christmas lights switch-on and Festival of Light due to be awarded the same total.

However, council officials have recommended that Oban’s Argyllshire Gathering and Mull Rally should each receive £7,000 less than requested, meaning they would receive £5,000 and £18,000 respectively.

Councillors are recommended to agree to the proposed grant awards at a meeting of the council’s policy and resources committee on Thursday, February 20.

Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said in a report: “The overarching aim of the strategic events and festivals (SEF) fund is to support event organisers to enhance and grow their events with the result that more visitors are attracted to Argyll and Bute, providing substantial economic benefit.

“It is recognised that the strategic events and festivals sector is still facing challenging circumstances brought about as a result of changes in individuals’ habits and the cost-of-living crisis.

“This has put a strain on the financial stability of many of the organisations, however, the outlook is improving, and the council’s SEF fund continues to be of strategic importance to the events industry in Argyll and Bute.

“The fund provides critical support in the economic recovery of the area and will hopefully allow events to continue to grow and may prevent organisations and events from ceasing to operate.”