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Highland year of culture launched Highland year of culture launched
(about 8 hours later)
Thousands of people filled the streets of Inverness for the official launch of the £40m Highland 2007 Year of Culture.Thousands of people filled the streets of Inverness for the official launch of the £40m Highland 2007 Year of Culture.
Events, including a firework display, began in the city at 1900 GMT despite earlier fears that the launch would be disrupted by the weather.Events, including a firework display, began in the city at 1900 GMT despite earlier fears that the launch would be disrupted by the weather.
Organisers said the wind and rain did not affect the high wire "aerial ballet" in the city centre.Organisers said the wind and rain did not affect the high wire "aerial ballet" in the city centre.
However, a shinty match planned for Saturday was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.However, a shinty match planned for Saturday was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.
First Minister Jack McConnell, who is to attend the launch, said he hoped the festival would help boost growth and confidence in the Highlands. First Minister Jack McConnell said he hoped the festival would help boost growth and confidence in the Highlands.
Highlights during the 12-month celebration include a world mountain bike championship, a zombie horror musical and Gaelic speed dating.Highlights during the 12-month celebration include a world mountain bike championship, a zombie horror musical and Gaelic speed dating.
Organisers had met earlier in the day to decide if the weather would effect events.Organisers had met earlier in the day to decide if the weather would effect events.
We've got a fantastic mixture of major events like the mountain bike world championships in Lochaber and the first performance of The Sundowe Fiona HamptonHighland 2007 director Quick guide to events BBC tunes into eventsWe've got a fantastic mixture of major events like the mountain bike world championships in Lochaber and the first performance of The Sundowe Fiona HamptonHighland 2007 director Quick guide to events BBC tunes into events
A waterlogged pitch forced the cancellation of a shinty match between Glen Urquhart and Strathglass match, which was due to be held at the Bught Park in Inverness on Saturday.A waterlogged pitch forced the cancellation of a shinty match between Glen Urquhart and Strathglass match, which was due to be held at the Bught Park in Inverness on Saturday.
Fiona Hampton, director of Highland 2007, said the festival would celebrate the region's music, drama, language, science and sport.Fiona Hampton, director of Highland 2007, said the festival would celebrate the region's music, drama, language, science and sport.
She said: "The highlights are the huge range of events that are coming up.She said: "The highlights are the huge range of events that are coming up.
"We've got a fantastic mixture of major events and local community events, like the mountain bike world championships in Lochaber and the first performance of The Sundowe, which won the Highland Quest."We've got a fantastic mixture of major events and local community events, like the mountain bike world championships in Lochaber and the first performance of The Sundowe, which won the Highland Quest.
"But at the same time we have got community events like Glenfinnan 2007, where the whole of Glenfinnan has decided they are going to celebrate 2007 all year and got their own complete programme.""But at the same time we have got community events like Glenfinnan 2007, where the whole of Glenfinnan has decided they are going to celebrate 2007 all year and got their own complete programme."
Mr McConnell proposed that Scotland celebrate a year of Highland life after Inverness lost out in a bid to be the 2008 European city of culture.Mr McConnell proposed that Scotland celebrate a year of Highland life after Inverness lost out in a bid to be the 2008 European city of culture.
Fireworks lit up the sky above Inverness (Pic: Allan Milligan)Fireworks lit up the sky above Inverness (Pic: Allan Milligan)
During a visit to Mulbuie School, near Dingwall, he spoke of growing up on Arran on the fringes of the Highlands.During a visit to Mulbuie School, near Dingwall, he spoke of growing up on Arran on the fringes of the Highlands.
He said: "I have always been conscious since the 1970s that people moved away to get on.He said: "I have always been conscious since the 1970s that people moved away to get on.
"That those of us who wanted to get an education, to do a certain type of work or career by and large had to move away.""That those of us who wanted to get an education, to do a certain type of work or career by and large had to move away."
However, he said festivals such as Highland 2007 would help to encourage a reverse of that trend.However, he said festivals such as Highland 2007 would help to encourage a reverse of that trend.
He said: "The Highlands today is a place where people are moving to rather than moving away from and I think culture has played a part in that."He said: "The Highlands today is a place where people are moving to rather than moving away from and I think culture has played a part in that."