Applications Now Open for Highland Council's Strategic Events Grant

3rd June 2025

Applications Now Open for Highland Council's Strategic Events Grant.

The Highland Council is pleased to announce the official launch of its new Strategic Events Grant Fund, a £75,000 initiative designed to support the region's dynamic events sector and strengthen the local economy during the quieter shoulder and off-season months.

From today, Monday 2nd June, event organisers across the Highlands can apply for grants ranging from £3,000 to £10,000 to support public events scheduled between September 2025 and March 2026. The fund is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme and aims to stimulate tourism, celebrate local culture, and encourage sustainable economic growth.

Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: "We're excited to officially open applications for this important fund. Events are a powerful way to bring communities together, attract visitors, and showcase the unique character of the Highlands. By supporting strategic events during the off-season, we’re helping to extend the tourism calendar and build a more resilient regional economy."

The fund is open to a wide variety of public events, including music, food and drink, cultural, sports, and nature-based festivals. Priority will be given to events that demonstrate strategic value, such as those that encourage overnight stays, promote responsible tourism, and align with national and regional strategies including Scotland the Perfect Stage 2024-2035 and The Highland Council’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2024-2030.

Applications are open now and will close at midnight on Monday 30 June 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by mid-July.

For full eligibility criteria and to apply, visit the Council's website - Apply for Event Funding | Organising Events | The Highland Council
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1457/tourism_and_visitor_attractions/1156/organising_events/2

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Highland Council Ward 3 By-election - Voters urged to make sure their vote counts

Polling will take place on Thursday 1 October 2026 to elect one of five candidates standing in The Highland Council's Wick and East Caithness Ward 3 by-election.  Voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to cast their vote.  

26/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

September is Scottish Start-Up Month – could your business idea become a reality?

September has become a month when Scotland's aspiring entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take a closer look at an idea that may have been sitting in the back of their minds for some time.   Scottish Start-Up Month, led by Business Gateway, has returned for 2026 with a simple message: if you have an idea for a business, this could be the month to take the first step.  

25/9/2026 : Educational Institutions

Fewer Children, More Difficult Decisions: The Future of Highland's Schools

For many years Highland Council has faced difficult decisions over small rural schools.   Some have closed, others have been mothballed, and communities have often argued that a village school is about much more than the number of children sitting in its classrooms.  

25/9/2026 : Local Authority

Glasgow’s 23,000 Council Workers Face a Major Pay Shake-Up

Glasgow City Council has taken a dramatic step in its long-running equal-pay dispute, giving notice that it intends to end existing pay arrangements for its non-teaching workforce unless an agreement can be reached with the trade unions.   Around 23,000 employees are affected.  

25/9/2026 : Employment Services

What Are the Options for Scottish Pupils Who Do Not Want the Traditional Academic Route?

Parents of teenagers in England are being told that they will need to understand a new range of vocational qualifications as their children approach the age of 14.   The Career Development Institute has welcomed the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which are due to start being introduced in England from 2029.  

24/9/2026 : Local Authority

The £27 Million Energy Bill Facing Highland Council – And NHS Highland's Hidden Cost

Rising energy prices are a problem for households and businesses, but there is another very large energy bill that receives much less attention.   Highland Council operates one of the largest public-sector property estates in Scotland, while NHS Highland runs hospitals, health centres, clinics and other facilities across an enormous geographical area.  

24/9/2026 : Local Authority

Public invited to Justice Service open days in Fort William and Wick

The Highland Council’s Justice Social Work teams in Lochaber and Caithness will be hosting open days in Fort William on Tuesday 6 October and Wick on Friday 9 October 2026.   The open days will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Launch of New Transport Service for Renal Patients in Highland

NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland.   Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Economy and Infrastructure Committee to consider next steps on proposed Short Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland.   At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scotland's Local Government Reform: More Local Power or Mainly a Search for Savings?

The Scottish Government is proposing a major reshaping of local government, with fewer regional authorities and many more community-level bodies making decisions closer to where people live.   The language is about local democracy, stronger communities and bringing decisions closer to people.