Exclusive:Award-winning music festival saved after Creative Scotland funding re-think

Organisers launched campaign after three funding rejections in a year

The future of one of Scotland’s leading classical music events has been secured for at least two years after a rethink from Creative Scotland over whether it should be funded.

Organisers of the Lammermuir Festival, in East Lothian, mounted a campaign to save the event in September after a string of rejections from the Scottish Government’s arts agency.

They had warned that its future was “under threat” after they had to raid their reserves to ensure the 2023 festival went ahead after losing almost a quarter of their planned budget less than a month before the event was due to get underway in September.

The Lammermuir Festival has been staged across East Lothian since 2010.

However the festival has now secured a “two-year commitment” worth £135,000 from Creative Scotland, which had been urged to rethink its stance by some of the country’s leading musical figures and organisations.

It will allow the festival to put on a full 12-day programme, with other crucial backing secured private individuals, trusts and foundations in recent months.

The festival, which provides work for around 350 musicians every September, has been valued at around £750,000 for the economy and was previously honoured as the UK’s best festival or concert series by the Royal Philharmonic Society.

However it was turned down three times in the space of 40 weeks by Creative Scotland, which was accused of “destabilising” the festival and undermining its ability to plan ahead for this year and beyond.

The Lammermuir Festival has been staged across East Lothian since 2010.

An open letter to Creative Scotland chief executive Iain Munro and chair Robert Wilson said its application process appeared to have “no strategic overview of provision, and no clear artistic, quality or geographic priorities.”

Backers of the campaign included violinist Nicola Benedetti, composer and conductor James MacMillan, opera singer Andrea Baker, composer Stuart MacRae, conductor Garry Walker, pianist Steven Osborne, accordionist Ryan Corbett, Scottish Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

James Waters, the festival’s artistic director, said: “We’re delighted to be in a position to confirm that the festival will go ahead in September this year.

"With confirmation of two years of support from Creative Scotland, we can now say confidently that the planned festival will happen. We thank them for their recognition of the value the festival holds for so many in East Lothian and further afield.”

The Lammermuir Festival has been staged across East Lothian since 2010. Picture: Robin C Mitchell

In a message to supporters, the festival said: “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the many individuals, trusts and foundations who have given generously over the last few months to help secure the future of the festival.

"Your commitment has made it possible for us to plan and prepare for a wonderful 12-day festival this autumn, welcoming outstanding musicians from Scotland and abroad. We’re truly humbled by your support and passion. It’s been a source of determination and inspiration.

“The festival has secured a two-year commitment from Creative Scotland which, although not at previous levels, represents an important contribution towards our work and, we believe, a recognition of the value the festival holds for so many in East Lothian and beyond.”

Alan Morrison, Creative Scotland’s head of music, said: “We recognise the financial challenges faced by Lammermuir Festival when presenting last year’s event and we’re happy that their strengthened application was successful at a recent funding panel.

The Lammermuir Festival has been staged across East Lothian since 2010. Picture: John Wood

“This is the single largest award the festival has received to date. We hope the stability offered by a two-year commitment allows it to continue to deliver world-class music in East Lothian while unlocking other sources of funding for a more secure future.”