​A number of Highlands events have received funding from VisitScotland in a cultural boost to the region

VisitScotland is supporting 14 cultural events across the country through EventScotland’s National Funding Programme, including a number in the Highlands.

In the latest round of the funding programme £145,500 has been awarded to a variety of Scottish festivals and events to encourage cultural diversity across the country.

All the events are taking place between July and November this year and span across ten local authorities with funding from VisitScotland.

Among the events are several based in the Highlands in a massive boost to the region; Loch Ness Knit Fest, Scotland’s Salmon Festival, Skyline Scotland and The Highland Military Tattoo.

Chris Taylor, VisitScotland regional partnerships director, said: "We are delighted to give funding towards these popular Highland events - four of the 14 across Scotland to have been successful in this round.

“The Highlands are known world-over not only for stunning landscapes, scenery and outdoor experience opportunities, but also for the strong cultural, heritage and creative links, so these four diverse events which cover many of these themes are a perfect fit.”

Shane Ohly, Skyline Scotland race director, said: "We are delighted to be working with EventScotland for the second consecutive year, and their support in 2017 is enabling us to stream live footage of the runners from the mountains directly to a truck-mounted big screen at the Ice Factor race HQ.”

Seymour Monro, executive chairman and director of the Highland Military Tattoo, said: "The Highland Military Tattoo is really grateful to EventScotland for the award of £19,000 towards improvements to this year's Tattoo.

“It will contribute greatly to our show which has two special themes this year: The RAF and the RAF regiment's 75th anniversary and the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.”

The events which won funding support in the latest round of EventScotland's National Funding Programme are:

• British Transplant Games, North Lanarkshire: 27 - 30th July (£25,000)
• MugStock Festival, East Dunbartonshire: 28 - 31 July (£6,000)
• Aberdeen Mela - One World Day, Aberdeenshire: 30 July (£9,700)
• European Dodgeball Championships 2017, Wishaw: 8 - 20 August (£9,500)
• Scotland's Salmon Festival, Highlands: 29 August - 2 September (£5,856)
• St Andrews Photography Festival, Fife: 1 - 30 September (£5,500)
• Electric Fields, Dumfries & Galloway: 1 - 2 September (£11,500)
• Skyline Scotland, Highlands: 1 - 3 September (£12,000)
• Bo'ness Revival, Falkirk: 2 - 3 September (£8,500)
• BOWFest, Argyll: 8 - 10 September (£6,000)
• The Highland Military Tattoo, Highlands: 8 - 10 September (£19,000)
• Loch Ness Knit Fest 2017, Highlands: 13 - 15 October (£10,500)