From obstacle courses to scenic trail runs, celebrations of crime writing to health and wellbeing, the latest round of EventScotland’s National Events funding is set to support an exciting array of events and festivals in 2020.
Five events from across Scotland, including three first-time applicants, have been awarded a share of £72,000 in funding from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
Taking place between January and May, the five events from across four local authorities have received the funding from Round 42 of EventScotland’s National Programme Fund to enhance event delivery and to further develop Scotland’s diverse events portfolio.
Paul Bush OBE, director of events at VisitScotland, said: “EventScotland is delighted to support these five diverse events and festivals through our National Events Funding Programme. I’m particularly delighted three events have applied for funding for the first time. It shows the important role the programme plays not only in developing domestic tourism and generating economic and social impacts to all areas of the country, but also in strengthening our vibrant events portfolio. We look forward to working with the organisers to develop and grow the profile of their events in the upcoming year.”
Among the recipients are two obstacle course events, MacTuff (5 January)and Beast Race (30 & 31 May), both taking place in the Kingdom of Fife. MacTuff, known as the toughest obstacle race of its kind in Scotland, will take place at Knockhill Racing Circuit and will see participants battle seven, 15 or 30km of challenging terrain; through mud, water and obstacles, putting their strength and endurance to the test. This is the second time the event has received National Events funding, with the latest award of £6,000 going towards a dedicated social media campaign for UK and Europe.
Already established in Loch Ness and Banchory, the Beast Race series will hold its first-ever event at Loch Ore, which will feature a series of 15km, six-kilometre and children’s races across the weekend. The event consists of mega obstacles: giant water slides; icy loch water; thick mud and swamp crossings and is open to all ages and can be tackled as a group or a solo effort.
Traditionally a one-day affair, the latest addition to the Beast Race series has received a first-time award of £12,000 to support the creation of a second day offering for children: The Beast Race ‘Wildchild’ challenge, as well as for video production of the children’s and six-kilometre events.
Jonathan Buckland, director at Zone Events, said: “We would like to say a massive thanks to EventScotland for their support of the Beast Race at Loch Ore in 2020. With the National Events Fund we can, for the first time expand the event to include a second family day which will include four fantastic children’s and parents’ obstacle courses races. This support enables us to attract a much wider demographic from further afield and help establish Loch Ore in Fife as an ideal sporting and event location.”
The other events to receive funding from the latest round include:
Run Stirling – Stirling Council has been awarded £25,000 towards the event’s delivery as well as marketing and promotional activities.
Granite Noir – A first-time applicant, the festival has been awarded £25,000 towards its marketing and promotional activities; programming and production.
Scapa Fest – Another first-time recipient of funding, an award of £4,000 is made to Scapa Fest towards digital and social media activities.
The National Events Programme is a strategic development programme with eligible events, which take place outside the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, able to bid for a maximum of three rounds of funding.
Author: Molly Hookings
Molly joined the editorial team in March 2019. She has several years’ experience working in broadcast and journalism, as well as marketing and PR. Past experience includes working for the BBC and independent publishing houses. If you have a story you think Molly might be interested in, please email: molly@eventindustrynews.com
