Highland 2007 goes out with a bang

Craig Anderson
BBC Scotland news reporter

As that champion of culture Rab C Nesbitt might have put it: "Fireworks is it? I'll give ye fireworks!"

Such has been the controversy over the finale to Highland 2007, the year-long celebration of the arts, heritage and life in the north of Scotland.

A previous display by Groupe F. Picture by James O Jenkins Enlarge Image

Saturday's extravaganza will see a pyrotechnics display launched from the Kessock Bridge near Inverness.

The French wizards drafted in to stage the show, Groupe F, have been responsible for fireworks displays at the Olympics and the World Cup and are described by co-ordinator Pete Irvine of Unique Events as "unquestionably the best in the world."

But the best has to be paid for and Invernessians have baulked at the £300,000 cost of the bash, especially as much of the money is coming from the Inverness Common Good Fund.

"Most people feel that fireworks are rather a gaudy way in which to spend public money," says Inverness councillor David Henderson.

"The fact that it's coming from a local budget makes it even worse."

It's a row that is typical of the divisions that have emerged over Highland 2007.

There was too much effort put into Highland 2007 as a public relations exercise for the local authority George Gunn Playwright Was Highland 2007 worth it?

The organisation contributed £5m to the redevelopment of Eden Court Theatre in Inverness - now the largest arts centre in Scotland.

But as the costs of the re-vamp spiralled to £21m, the chair of Highland Council's arts and culture committee branded it all a waste of money. He was forced to resign.

Caithness playwright George Gunn was unsuccessful in his bid to win the Highland Quest, the search for a new musical. Backed by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, it was a key event of Highland 2007.

He believes the series of festivals, exhibitions and events missed its target in promoting culture within the Highlands and beyond.

WHERE DID THE MONEY GO Eden Court Theatre redevelopment - £5m New Culloden Battlefield Centre - £3.75m Highland Archive Centre - £5m Skye Gaelic College - £750,000 Highland 2007 launch - £400,000 Outsider rock festival - £200,000 Inverness Highland Tattoo - £225,000 Elton John Concert - £60,000

"There was too much effort put into Highland 2007 as a public relations exercise for the local authority. Wouldn't it be a good idea if you funded the arts realistically and properly?" he said.

But hundreds of communities throughout the Highlands have benefited, either through the staging of local events or improvements to village halls and other facilities.

Director of Highland 2007 Fiona Hampton says there is a double spin off: "There's the physical legacy with a lot of the capital works that have happened.

"But in addition to that there's been a sense of pride that we can host international events."

Hotels in Inverness have reported an increase in bookings throughout the year - even during one of the wettest, dreariest summers in recent memory.

The organisers will be hoping for clear skies on Saturday night to ensure the fireworks can give 2007 a rousing send off.

However, the arguments are likely to linger long after the smoke has cleared.