At last – a 'Gathering' event that won't cost taxpayers a penny

Published on Sunday 22 November 2009 22:12

A PROMOTER planning a global piping celebration, which will climax with a showpiece procession through Edinburgh next summer, has vowed to go ahead without any public funding in the wake of the fiasco over the Homecoming clan gathering.

Magnus Orr, the Scottish events supremo trying to stage parades in up to 20 locations around the world next August, has promised he will not need any handouts from the public purse after The Gathering in Edinburgh landed taxpayers with a 1.1 million bill.

He has vowed to go ahead with next year's Pipefest after confirming the first locations in New York, Ottawa, Hong Kong and Sydney and revealing that more than 1,500 participants have signed up for the Edinburgh event.

All proceeds from the venture, which will be staged over 7-8 August, will be going towards a major cancer charity.

Mr Orr, an impresario who has already staged piping parades around the world, hopes to attract up to 8,000 pipers and drummers to Scotland's capital for a spectacular parade which will snake through the city on the first Saturday of the Fringe.

He admitted concern that future events showcasing traditional culture could be damaged by the problems surrounding The Gathering but said he was convinced such showcases have no need for major financial support to go ahead.

The Gathering made a 600,000 loss despite winning 490,500 in public grants. The Scottish Government was forced to write off a 180,000 loan.

"I'm hoping Pipefest can provide a suitable tonic to the huge overspend on The Gathering," said Mr Orr.

"We shouldn't need to spend thousands on top of things like advertising and marketing campaigns, public money which could otherwise be spent elsewhere. Edinburgh already has a huge amount to offer – it is the perfect platform to host events.

"By using a combination of our website, newsletters and sites like Facebook, it is possible to reach out to thousands of bands around the world.

"VisitScotland and the government spend millions promoting Scotland abroad – it's important that future events ride this wave rather than look for more public money for marketing."

Next year's event will start on Johnston Terrace before heading down the Royal Mile and The Mound, and into West Princes Street Gardens, before reaching a climax in the Grassmarket.

Mr Orr said he hoped a 50,000 crowd would line the streets and pack into the gardens for an event he predicted would generate at least 3 million for the capital's economy. It is hoped that at least 500,000 would be raised for charity.

He added: "The gardens will create a natural amphitheatre for the parade beneath the castle and we're hoping it'll be packed with people who are able to sit and watch the parade, rather than stand behind barriers on Princes Street."