New £500,000 arts fund launched

A fund with grant aid totalling £500,000 has been launched to help the arts in the north.

Highland Council launched the Highland 2007 Legacy Programme as a follow up to last year's major culture celebration of the same name.

The fund also ties in with Homecoming Scotland 2009, which aims to attract people with Scottish ancestry from around the world to visit the country.

Youth groups, artists and performers are invited to apply for funding.