West coast ferry operator is the main sponsor of the Scottish Rural Parliament, which takes place for the first time in Argyllnext month.
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) will be the primary commercial sponsor for the inaugural national event, to be held in its busiest port, Oban.
CalMac has a long established record of supporting community based events across its network including the Royal National Mòd, the Stornoway based Hebridean Celtic Festival and Tiree Music Festival, the Colonsay Book Festival and Cumbrae Country and Western Festival.
The Scottish Rural Parliament, from November 6-8, aims to give rural communities a stronger voice in decision making.
The event will bring together around 400 community people and decision makers from public bodies, NGOs and private bodies, with the aim of improving rural policy and finding better ways of providing services.
John Hutchison, chairman of Scottish Rural Action, the body responsible for organising the Rural Parliament, said: “We are delighted to be receiving sponsorship from Caledonian MacBrayne for this landmark event. Rural communities are reliant upon good transport links and businesses who understand their needs. Sponsorship from this essential service provider indicates a positive commitment to rural.”
CalMac managing director Martin Dorchester said: “We were delighted to be given the opportunity to sponsor the first ever Scottish Rural Parliament and are keen to use it to underline that CalMac’s role in remote communities goes way beyond simply providing a ferry service. The company is a major employer and procurer of local goods and services, playing a critical part as a key economic enabler in the day to day life of some of Scotland’s most fragile and remote island and peninsular communities .
“We are looking forward to engaging with representatives from across our network to learn more about the challenges they face and to contributing to discussions on the needs of rural communities.”
The national event includes visits to local projects and workshops on the key themes chosen by rural communities, as well as entertainment from Karen Matheson, band Skipinnish and others, and locally produced food and drink.