Moray’s MP, Angus Robertson, MSP, Richard Lochhead, and Forres SNP Councillor Irene Ogilvie have welcomed the decision by Moray Council’s Policy & Resources Committee to commit over £20,000 in a bid to attract major pipe band championships to Forres’ Grant Park.

Welcoming the decision Angus Robertson MP said:

“ Efforts such as this are vitally important to help provide an economic boost to the area between the RAF leaving Kinloss and the Army coming in.

“ Whether it is attracting significant new business investment or, in this case, working to attract a major pipe band championship with a significant tourism boost associated with it, everything that can be done is important to regenerate the economy in the West of Moray and mitigate against the loss of the RAF from Kinloss.

“ This week’s support from the Council is a good example of grabbing an opportunity and we must keep up that momentum.”

Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“ Forres has an excellent record of staging large and successful events in Grant Park and that will make a bid to host a major pipe band championship all the stronger.

“ The ‘Worlds’, held on Glasgow Green, have provided a major boost to the city’s economy and we have an opportunity to attract thousands of people to Moray for a similar quality event. The Council’s support of that is most welcome.”

Local Forres SNP Councillor Irene Ogilvie said:

“ Forres has a strong link with pipe bands and this year alone the Highland Games attracted 13 bands who marched and played together in the Grant Park.

“ The spectacle of many, many more bands competing would be absolutely wonderful and would undoubtedly be a major tourist attraction if the bid is successful. I am delighted that the Council’s Policy & Resources Committee has given financial support to that effort.”

Moray’s MP, Angus Robertson, MSP, Richard Lochhead, and Forres SNP Councillor Irene Ogilvie have welcomed the decision by Moray Council’s Policy & Resources Committee to commit over £20,000 in a bid to attract major pipe band championships to Forres’ Grant Park.

Welcoming the decision Angus Robertson MP said:

“ Efforts such as this are vitally important to help provide an economic boost to the area between the RAF leaving Kinloss and the Army coming in.

“ Whether it is attracting significant new business investment or, in this case, working to attract a major pipe band championship with a significant tourism boost associated with it, everything that can be done is important to regenerate the economy in the West of Moray and mitigate against the loss of the RAF from Kinloss.

“ This week’s support from the Council is a good example of grabbing an opportunity and we must keep up that momentum.”

Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“ Forres has an excellent record of staging large and successful events in Grant Park and that will make a bid to host a major pipe band championship all the stronger.

“ The ‘Worlds’, held on Glasgow Green, have provided a major boost to the city’s economy and we have an opportunity to attract thousands of people to Moray for a similar quality event. The Council’s support of that is most welcome.”

Local Forres SNP Councillor Irene Ogilvie said:

“ Forres has a strong link with pipe bands and this year alone the Highland Games attracted 13 bands who marched and played together in the Grant Park.

“ The spectacle of many, many more bands competing would be absolutely wonderful and would undoubtedly be a major tourist attraction if the bid is successful. I am delighted that the Council’s Policy & Resources Committee has given financial support to that effort.”