Education, Culture and Sport Committee,

Meeting date: Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Official Report 113KB pdf

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Committee Travel

I ask Cathy Peattie to update members on agenda item 4, which is on committee travel.

The issue relates to my reporting on traditional arts. Members might recall that I asked whether I could make some additional visits en route to Stornoway. I have found that what I wanted to do is impossible, because of the ferry timetables and my requirement to be at Stornoway at a specified time. I wanted to go to Skye, to meet Arthur Cormack of Feìs Rois, and to go to Plockton. I had planned to go up one way and down the other. That will be impossible at that time, but I am still keen to do it.

I ask whether I might visit the Highland music festival at the end of June, which is launched at Plockton on a Friday. That would give me a chance to meet some kids, speak to teachers and speak to people who are involved in the music centre there; members will recall that an arts centre is an integral part of petition PE307. Feìs Rois people will be there. I would have a chance to speak to them and some of the other people who would be quite helpful to the inquiry. That would mean staying overnight on Friday 22 June.

I see no problems with that. If we receive a costed paper, I will propose it to the conveners liaison group for approval. Are members happy with that?

Members indicated agreement.

Meeting continued in private until 13:53.