Arts, culture and heritage

The majesty and beauty of Scotland’s landscape and outdoor spaces are a magnet for visitors from all over the UK and the wider world.

Access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 make Scotland support freedoms to access the land and wild camp rarely matched elsewhere in the world. These access rights bring considerable benefits to the public, and enable visitors to Scotland to connect even more meaningfully to nature and the outdoors.

This week the 'National Islands Plan: implementation route map 2022' was published. It details how the Scottish Government will deliver their priorities over the lifetime of the National Islands Plan.

Festival fever has hit Upper Nithsdale, Dumfries and Galloway, with the triumphant return of the Festival of Folklore!

Stranraer Oyster Festival has been hailed as an ‘incredible success’ by organisers. More than 18,000 people attended the community-led event, which is now one of Scotland’s biggest food festivals, a higher attendance than the previous event in 2019 despite extreme weather warnings and heavy rain.

Following a hugely successful pilot with the Young Islanders Challenge, Youth Scotland will to continue their work with Scotland’s young people from island communities to build the Young Islanders Network.

The new online platform and youth network has been launched to help young people from all the Scottish islands share their voices, views and experiences.

Stranraer Oyster Festival is inviting contenders to battle it out for the title of Scotland’s Shucking Champion. Taking place on Saturday 3rd September 2022 at the popular Festival, the Scottish Shucking Championships returns after a two year Covid-enforced break.

This week sees the release of the latest edition of the OnFarm podcast supported by the Scottish Rural Network.

In the first of a two part special Lewis crofter and presenter of BBC Alba's An Lot (The Croft) Domhnall Macsween - known to most as 'Sweeny' - takes OnFARM producer Dave Howard on a tour of his community of Ness, on the island’s most northerly tip.

This is the first of two episodes featuring Sweeny and it’s a great listen. 

A commitment to ensure the long-term growth of Gaelic and Scots is at the heart of a new public consultation launched today.

The consultation seeks views on how to raise the profile of Scots, a new strategic approach to Gaelic medium education (GME) and the creation of a Gàidhealtachd, areas with a higher percentage of Gaelic speakers. It also covers the structure and function of Bòrd Na Gàidhlig – the principal public body promoting Gaelic in Scotland.

Scottish Rural Action have recently published a blog exploring the tradition bearing as form of local community wealth building and the unique importance of Gaelic culture. Read it below or visit SRA website.