Kristopher Leask
Scottish Green Party · Scotland
“To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to festivals in island communities to ensure that they are sustainable. (S7O-00123) The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic (Màiri McAllan): The Scottish Government and Creative Scotland have currently committed more than £13.5 million towards festivals on the isl…”
Scottish Parliament24 June 2026Source ↗
“Will the cabinet secretary commit to considering, alongside Creative Scotland and EventScotland, how we can deliver a pilot island festival fund to provide stability to those vital cultural events in unique circumstances? Màiri McAllan: I absolutely take on board the points that the member raises.”
Scottish Parliament24 June 2026Source ↗
“We are very pleased to do so, noting the value of those events. Kristopher Leask: I welcome the cabinet secretary’s answer and the additional support that has gone to island festivals. Festivals on our islands, such as the Orkney Folk Festival, contribute hugely to island life and our national cultural offering.”
Scottish Parliament24 June 2026Source ↗
“The review should therefore look at how councils can be given real discretion over the operation of the system in their area, in line with the Government’s community wealth-building agenda. Jenny Gilruth: I welcome Kristopher Leask’s points about engagement with COSLA.”
Scottish Parliament23 June 2026Source ↗
“I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as a member of Orkney Islands Council. Scottish Greens do not oppose the review, but it is hard to have confidence when many recommendations of the decade-old Barclay review were never acted on.”
Scottish Parliament23 June 2026Source ↗
“That also empowers local authorities to take decisions about how they put in place that relief for local needs, reflecting the needs of businesses in their local areas. There is a level of devolution that already exists in the current system, and it is important to recognise that.”
Scottish Parliament23 June 2026Source ↗