Music festival suffers ‘crucial’ funding cut

Organisers of a prominent festival in the UK’s classical music calendar have said they are “appalled and saddened” by Creative Scotland’s decision not to offer funding this year.

Lammermuir Festival, which takes place through September in East Lothian, applied for funding through Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund.

The festival has been in receipt of grants for the last 13 years, equating to up to 23% of its festival budget each year.

The news it missed out on funding in 2023 came 16 days before this year’s festival opened and followed multiple applications for funding, all of which were turned down.

A statement from the Chair and trustees of the festival said the funding “is crucial investment in an area of Scotland which does not have regular high-quality cultural events drawing audiences to the area”.

“To deliver this year’s festival as planned we shall be obliged to use a significant proportion of our reserves which we have judiciously built up over many years.

“Without Creative Scotland support the Lammermuir Festival’s future is under threat. We urge Creative Scotland to reconsider their decision and secure the future of Lammermuir Festival.” 

A spokesperson for Creative Scotland told The Herald: “Demand for Creative Scotland’s funding is increasing, and we receive far more applications than we have the budget to support.

“Whilst we recognise the important contribution Lammermuir Festival makes to Scotland's music sector, unfortunately, difficult decisions had to be made and we were unable to support their most recent applications.”