A wave of support

Published on Monday 19 May 2003 01:00

THE Scottish Executive is providing £100,000 towards the cost of hosting the International Festival of the Sea, which arrives in Leith on Friday.

Edinburgh City Council is footing a maximum of 150,000 for the event, which will be the first time the festival has been held in Scotland.

A council spokesman says: "In early 2001, City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian and Forth Ports commissioned a study to test the feasibility of staging International Festival of the Sea in Leith in 2003.

"The study concluded that the infrastructure was indeed in place to hold the event in the city."

SE Edinburgh and Lothian believes up to 125,000 people will be attracted to Leith over the course of the four-day festival, and says up to 10 million will be generated for the local economy.

"Edinburgh’s international reputation as a tourism destination is a major factor in its overall image and perceptions of quality of life," says a spokesman for the enterprise body.

"The staging of this major event will continue to enhance Edinburgh’s reputation as world-class destination."

An international fleet of at least 200 boats and tall ships will take part in the maritime festival, along with ships from the Royal Navy.

Visitors to the port of Leith will be able to find out about marine technology, oceanography and ecology, and there will be a strong focus on Scotland's proud maritime heritage.