Battle for traditional music centre pins hopes on university

EFFORTS to save a national traditional music centre are being stepped up, with hopes that it could become part of Scotland's newest university.

The future of the centre of excellence, based at Plockton High School in Wester Ross, was left in doubt last week when Highland Council decided to withdraw its 300,000 annual funding in 2012 to save money.

But the authority's administration said it wanted to secure the long-term future of the centre, which opened in 2000.

It has since been involved in talks with others, including the Scottish Government, to find alternative funding and explore how the centre can support the wider potential development of traditional music.

It is felt the centre's future could be as part of West Highland College, which in turn is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

Council leader Dr Michael Foxley, who is also vice-chairman of West Highland College, plans to visit Plockton next week to discuss proposals to safeguard the music centre.

He said: "The (council] chief executive and myself will visit the centre shortly and discuss with director Dougie Pincock where economies can be made and what other sources of support might be possible.

"We also believe that the centre should engage more widely and this it can do through the West Highland College, which is part of UHI.

"Part of the college's 'battle plan' is to introduce courses in traditional music, so there is an obvious fit."

A UHI spokeswoman said the university had so far not received any proposal in relation to the music school.

She added: "We are happy to work productively with all the schools in the Highlands and Islands and would give careful consideration to any formal proposal in respect of the music school.

"We have to point out, how-ever, that all our existing funding is needed to deliver our further education and higher education commitments."

Ongoing talks also involve education secretary Michael Russell, who has raised concerns about the centre's future, as Highland Council receives funding in its budget intended for the facility - although it is not ringfenced.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The Scottish Government provides a significant amount of funding to Highland Council, through its local government settlement, for the centre and has expressed concern at reports that the service could be withdrawn.

"We therefore welcome the decision by Highland Council to maintain funding during 2011-12 - although clearly, we want to ensure the long-term future of the traditional music centre."

However, Rob Gibson, a Highlands and Islands SNP MSP, questioned why Highland Council was trying to "escape its responsibility" to fund the centre, in contrast to councils in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, which continue to fund musical centres.