January 2007 - events to look out for
In March 2003, at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Elgin, the First Minister of Scotland, Jack McConnell, announced that 2007 would be ‘Scotland’s Year of Highland Culture’.
The opening event for Highland 2007 is the Monster Street Party on 12 January, marking the 'Old New Year' with celebrations throughout the city centre of Inverness. Produced by Unique Events, this Monster Street Party will include fantastic fireworks and lighting effects, street theatre companies from all over Europe, traditional and contemporary Scottish music and a spectacular finale you will never forget.
There will be events throughout the year - keep an eye on the Highland 2007 website for more information.
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17 January - 4 February 2007, Glasgow
Celtic Connections is the premiere Celtic festival in the UK and one of the largest winter music festivals of its kind in the world.
Over 100,000 people descend on Glasgow during January to hear home grown and international talent. The festival focuses on the roots of traditional Scottish music and features some of the most prominent names in roots and world music. |
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Artists appearing at this year’s festival include Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lloyd Cole, Karine Polwart and Seth Lakeman, Malinky, Roseanne Cash, The Peatbog Faeries and Aberfeldy. Visit Celtic Connections online for more information.
Showcase Scotland takes place during the second week of Celtic Connections. Over five days, promoters, record label representatives, agents and the press from around the world are given the opportunity to network with the Scottish music industry, and to see Scotland’s musicians doing what they do best. Read our profile of Showcase Scotland.
Every year on 25 January, the presumed birthday of Scotland's best loved bard, Scots everywhere celebrate the life and works of their national icon. In honour of Rabbie Burns, many people attend Burns Suppers, while others spend a quiet night of poetry readings. However it's celebrated, Burns Night has been a part of Scottish culture for over 200 years. Why not find a Burns supper near you or visit our Scots and Literature pages for inspiration?
25 - 28 January 2007, Pitlochry
Promising to be every bit as successful as last year's festival, this year's Winter Words begins on Burns night with a traditional Burns supper in the Festival restaurant. To help celebrate the Year of Highland Culture 2007, the festival is dedicated to all things Scottish and offers two of Scotland's greatest writers, James Robertson and William McIlvanney, talking about their work.
Winter Words offers a distinctive style of literary event, right in the heart of winter. For more information, please read our feature on Winter Words. |