Arts, culture and heritage

Galloway has been confirmed as the proposed location for Scotland’s next National Park with a further investigation to be carried out on its suitability.

Last week saw the start of the official one-year countdown to the highly anticipated Orkney 2025 International Island Games.

Trust in the Park has teamed up with renowned round-the-world cyclist and filmmaker Markus Stitz to showcase Loch and the Trossachs National Park’s extensive network of accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes this summer.

Music for All are offering an instrument-only funding round to community projects. They are also opening applications to the Harris Foundation Schools Progression Award for schools looking to enhance and expand their music provision.

Sporting activities are often a key part of rural and island communites and crucial to this is the infrastructure that supports the sporting activity - from the local neighbourhood sports field, community tennis courts or the local shinty pitch.

People across Scotland are being invited to have a say on how crofting is reformed.

A programme of meetings will take place from 3 July to 15 August, stretching from Oban to Shetland.

The consultation, which runs until 2 September 2024, seeks views on a range of proposals for crofting reform. These will help to create opportunities for new entrants, encourage the active management and use of crofts and common grazings, and support rural population.

Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding from Scottish Government has supported a young film maker to make a compelling and evocative short film about crofting and its future in rural and island Scotland.