Argyll and Bute’s commitment to supporting the region’s cultural events has been re-affirmed with news of funding for a host of music, sporting and community celebrations in the coming year.
A total of 23 eligible applications for the latest round of Strategic Events and Festival Funding received and councillors at the Policy and Resources Committee have confirmed that 10 major events will benefit from this year’s allocation of £104,500. These will include:
- Argyllshire Gathering Highland Games and Piping Competition
- Helensburgh Christmas Lights Switch On and Festival of Light
- Inveraray Highland Games
- Live at the Loch
- Oban Winter Festival
- Sound of Gigha
- Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival
- Mull Rally 2026
- Tiree Wave Classic
- Cowal Highland Gathering
The Fund supports organisers to enhance events which play an important role in attracting more visitors to Argyll and Bute and boosting the local economy.
The economic impact from the funded events and festivals in SEF Round 6 (2024/25) was approximately £9 million.
Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, Policy Lead for Business Development, said:
“The range of applications we received again this year demonstrates the value which the Strategic Events and Festivals Fund brings to the local community. The total value of funding requested significantly exceeds the budget available which means there is a limited number of events we can support.
“A critical element of the application is that events have the capacity to attract people from outwith the area with a focus on national and international visitors and generate significant economic benefits for the local community.”
All events and festivals not in receipt of an award will be signposted to information and resources to help them to identify alternative funding.
