EDINBURGH, Scotland, April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 2012 is the year of Creative Scotland, making it the perfect time to experience the country's culture and creativity for yourself. Fantastic events and festivals showcase some of the most exciting creative talent and experiences Scotland has to offer throughout this spring and summer. These events include open air concerts, music festivals, thrilling fire displays, scientific wonders and the glitz and glamour of the big screen in some very surprising locations, and of course Edinburgh's world famous festivals.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120412/NY86518 )
Spotlight on
Spring Fling, 2-5 June 2012
www.spring-fling.co.uk
Celebrating its 10th birthday in 2012, Spring Fling is Scotland's Premier Art & Craft Open Studios event. Offering the opportunity to see artists and makers at work in 63 studio venues across Dumfries & Galloway, it is obvious why the colorful local landscape has inspired generations. Whether tucked away in a farm steading or set up in a dedicated studio, Spring Fling is a great opportunity to try your hand at a new skill with Scotland's finest artists, including Hazel Campbell, based in Galloway.
The Hebridean Celtic Festival, 11-14 July 2012
www.hebceltfest.com
Now firmly established as one of Scotland's great summer festival events, the Hebridean Celtic Festival takes place against the unique backdrop of the Hebridean islands of Lewis & Harris. This year's program is another mouth-watering melding of traditions from around the UK and Ireland with some tantalising world music thrown into the pot and the unique location, fabulous music and a fantastically warm and enthusiastic audience guarantee this event is one of the biggest parties of the year!
Get your tickets to see Perthshire musician Ross Ainslie is action. He is one of Scotland's finest traditional musicians and composers and a member of some of the most renowned bands in the Scottish folk music scene including Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica and India Alba, touring the world and receiving major critical acclaim. Read more about him here www.rossainslie.com and listen out for the skirl of his pipes as he helps showcase the rich creativity of the Scots and the world class nature of Scotland's cultural offering in New York and Toronto during Scotland Week 2012.
Orkney Story Telling Festival, 25-28 October 2012
www.orkneystorytellingfestival.co.uk
Be enchanted and entertained on dark winter nights with traditional tales told by internationally acclaimed storytellers. Orkney has a rich history and its folklore is linked with Norse and Viking culture, which has also served as inspiration for the island's creative community. With a passion for her island environment, jewelry designer Sheila Fleet creates her original designs reflecting nature's wonderful sea, sky and landscape colors. Head to Orkney this fall to be charmed by local tales and experience firsthand the island creativity and culture.
NOTES
1. VisitScotland is Scotland's national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximize the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
2. The organization has three key roles:
i. To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
ii. To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
iii. To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations.
3. The years between 2012 and 2014 are Scotland's Winning Years - From the Year of Creative Scotland, the Olympics and Disney-Pixar's film Brave in 2012 through to the Commonwealth Games, The Ryder Cup and Homecoming in 2014 everyone has the chance to prosper.
4. The Year of Creative Scotland began on January 1, 2012 and is a chance to showcase, celebrate and promote Scotland's cultural and creative strengths on a world stage. Through a dynamic and exciting year-long program of activity celebrating our world-class events, festivals, culture and heritage. More information about the program can be found at: http://www.visitscotland.com/creative
5. The Year of Creative Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL.
6. More information and resources to help businesses engage with Year of Creative Scotland are available at www.visitscotland.org/yearofcreativescotland-toolkit
SOURCE VisitScotland
Share this article