An arts festival on the Moray Firth coast will return later this year to provide a tourism boost to the region.
More than 13,500 people attended the biennial Findhorn Bay Festival when it was last held, delivering an £875,000 cash bonus to the area.
The return of the creative extravaganza will come just months after the final Piping at Forres event is held and in the wake of the cancellation of Colours of Cluny, which is held in the same town.
This year’s arts festival will be staged at venues around Findhorn Bay and will feature a mix of theatre, music, exhibitions and tours – as well as the return of Culture Day in Forres.
Special events have been organised as part of Scotland’s year of young people, with a performance involving 300 youngsters already in the pipeline.
Funding has also been secured for a project entitled Making More of Moray, which will showcase the region’s organic food offerings as well as offering a dedicated cafe and a picnic in the park event.
Festival director Kresanna Aigner said: “It has taken our team over a year of planning and fundraising so far, and we are thrilled to welcome funders, partners and new local sponsors to the third Findhorn Bay Festival.
“Together we will deliver a high quality programme of events and opportunities for visitors and locals alike to experience and enjoy.
“We are now looking forward to announcing our full programme in June.”
Paul Bush, VisitScotland’s director of events, believes the festival is “a wonderful celebration of arts and culture”.
“It really has gone from strength to strength,” he said.
“We’re delighted to be supporting Making More of Moray, which will showcase the best in regional and Scottish produce and will no doubt add to the strong offering from the festival.
“In the year of young people, it’s also fantastic to see the event will be celebrating our talented young people by getting them involved in a unique new production.”
The Findhorn Bay Festival will run from September 26 to October 1.
