Dinner party debate in cyberspace

The parties are a substitute to the more tradiitional dinner debate

Virtual dinner parties where people can discuss a pre-set topic via e-mail have been launched in the Highlands.

Inverness-based arts company Hi-Arts and higher education institution UHI are jointly hosting the sessions.

Hi-Arts director Richard Livingston said the idea was to give people across the Highlands and Islands an outlet for discussion and debate.

The first party was set up to discuss a forthcoming gathering of visual artists.

It is being jointly hosted by Mr Livingston and Dr Sheila Lodge, Dean of Faculty Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UHI.

Mr Livingston said because of the geography of the area it was not always possible for people to meet for dinner party-style debates "over food and a glass of wine".

The virtual events also follow on from lectures held in Inverness by UHI and in past delivered by academics including scientist Richard Dawkins.

E-mailed exchanges will be published on the Hi-Arts' website.