SNH splashes out to support Skye festival
Skye’s leading summer festival is one of 24 projects to receive a share in almost £150,000 from Scotland’s nature agency, writes Fiona Scott.
Through its Plunge In! Coasts and Waters Community Fund, and to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has invested £4,000 towards the costs of delivering the Féis an Eilein in 2021.
All being well, the festival will return next year to public spaces around the Isles of Skye and Raasay, and will showcase the islands’ distinctive contribution to Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage through celebration, performance and conversation.
The new-look 10-day summer festival takes place from July 2-11 and will deliver a spectacular programme of world-class performances in music, theatre, dance, literature – plus a few big surprises. Organised by
SEALL, the 2021 summer event will highlight the distinctiveness of Scotland’s coasts and waters while raising awareness of their fragility and the need to protect them for future generations.
SEALL Creative Director Marie Lewis said: ‘The festival was due to be relaunched this year but the global pandemic put paid to all performing arts events on Skye for most of 2020, so we deferred the event to next year when we hope to gather in safety.
‘We are very grateful to Scottish Natural Heritage for their support and are making plans for a spectacular 2021.
‘Our new-look festival will provide a chance for communities to celebrate, participate and showcase their unique area to visitors, while visitors will experience the diversity of the islands’ landscapes, coastlines and people in a truly special series of celebrations.
‘We understand people are naturally nervous about gatherings and we will be taking vigorous precautions to ensure our audiences, artists, volunteers, visitors and staff are safe to enjoy all our events.
‘To this end, we will make good use of our natural environment and open spaces, as well as take all the necessary safety precautions. We look forward to seeing everyone next year.’
The Plunge In! Coasts and Waters Community Fund was established by SNH to help community groups celebrate the Year of Coasts and Waters.
For SEALL news, visit their Facebook page SeallEventsSkye or www.seall.co.uk