Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has welcomed the news that Visit Scotland will be working with the Scottish Highland Games Association to leverage Highland games in 2014 across the highland and Islands through linkage to both the Homecoming and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Dave wrote to VisitScotland to raise the possibility of Highland Games being organised to coincide with the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and requested an update from VisitScotland earlier this month.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “I am delighted that VisitScotland have been in contact with the Scottish Highland Games Association.

“2014 is the Year of Homecoming and is an opportunity to promote not only the city of Glasgow but all of Scotland. In a summer when we will be celebrating one of the greatest sporting events and some of the top athletes in the world coming to our county, it would seem like an ideal opportunity to celebrate the Highland Games, a unique part of Scotland’s sporting history and one of the most internationally recognisable symbols of Scotland.

2014 has been designated the Year of Homecoming Scotland, and there will be a year-long programme of events to celebrate the very best of Scotland’s food and drink, our fantastic active and natural resources as well as our creativity, culture and ancestral heritage.

EventScotland is preparing a proposal which will offer support, to be presented to the Scottish Highland Games Association general committee at the end of March.

The Proposal will be delivered by VisitScotland’s marketing and PR teams, and will aim to raise the profile of the games, increase visitor numbers and leave a lasting legacy.

Adding to this, Dave said: “In 2014, the Commonwealth Games will bring a large number of visitors and attention to Scotland.

“With Highland Games being celebrated worldwide, from America to Australia, this is an excellent opportunity to highlight and celebrate some lesser known sports, while promoting Scotland as a tourist destination.

“I look forward to seeing EventScotland’s proposal and to both the Commonwealth and the Highland Games in 2014.”