Young dancers 'need real support'

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Young people should get country dancing mentors to help safeguard Scottish traditions, it has been urged.

The call comes in a report from the Traditional Arts Working Group.

It said young people wanting to improve their skills in music, storytelling, poetry, dance and drama should be given the opportunity to work with a mentor.

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop welcomed the findings. The working group was set up to advise on supporting traditional arts and securing their future.

'Confident community'

Ms Hyslop said: "The idea that key individuals might pass on their skills and expertise to a younger generation via some kind of mentoring scheme is particularly attractive.

"I have asked the Scottish Arts Council and Creative Scotland to look at how this might work in practice and to make recommendations."

An assessment of the contribution traditional arts make to Scotland's economy is also to be carried out.

Traditional Arts Working Group convener David Francis said: "We found, by and large, a confident community in good heart.

"We hope that the recommendations in the report, if taken on-board by the relevant authorities and the traditional arts community itself, will help to increase the recognition of the importance of the traditional arts and help to build the esteem in which this important part of our culture should be held."