East Lothian festival's future 'under threat' as funding is cut

Creative Scotland’s Open Fund failed to invest in this year’s classical music festival, which has existed for 14 years, despite three applications being submitted.

As a result, organisers of the East Lothian-based festival had to use their financial reserves to help ensure this year’s festival, which runs until Monday, could go ahead.

READ MORE: Lammermuir Festival: Local and international musicians to star

Organisers say that, without investment from Creative Scotland, the festival may not be able to return. This year’s festival has included performances by Scotland’s most acclaimed pianist and the festival’s patron, Steven Osborne, as well as The Maxwell Quartet and Scottish Opera.

A spokesperson for the Lammermuir Festival said: “The chair and trustees of the Lammermuir Festival are appalled and saddened at the lack of investment in the 2023 festival by Creative Scotland.

“Presenting the festival in its current form has relied on a strong, supportive audience; our loyal friends, benefactors, sponsors and other generous funders; and investment from public funds, mainly Creative Scotland but also contributions from EventScotland and East Lothian Council.

“In previous years, ticket revenues, private sector funders and public support have contributed about one third each of the cost of the festival, enabling us to keep ticket prices at a level to allow the widest audience to attend the performances.”

Creative Scotland has invested in the festival since 2011, contributing £90,000 last year.

The spokesperson continued: “If Creative Scotland had invested the sum requested in 2023 it would have represented 23 per cent of the festival budget. This is crucial investment in an area of Scotland which does not have regular high-quality cultural events drawing audiences to the area.

Adam Walker is amongst the artists performing at the festival this year. Image: Sam Cornish (Image: Freelancer)

“This year Creative Scotland has declined to support the festival, despite having encouraged us to reapply twice over the last nine months. Reasons given were first: prioritising applications with activity earlier in the year; second: fair work; third: equality, diversity and inclusion.

“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. Thankfully, on this one occasion we were in a position to do this, allowing audiences to once again enjoy beautiful music in beautiful places as in previous festivals, and meet our commitment to artists.

“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. In order to make plans and commitments for 2024 and beyond we need the financial stability which Creative Scotland has provided over the past 13 years. ”

Councillor John McMillan, Provost of East Lothian, said he hoped a resolution could be found soon.

He said: “The Lammermuir Festival has built an excellent reputation for the quality of its performances and is popular with local people and visitors alike.

"East Lothian is renowned for its fantastic cultural and arts events and the Lammermuir Festival is very much in keeping with this, becoming a real highlight of the cultural calendar.

"I hope a way forward can be found that secures a sustainable future for the Lammermuir Festival.”

A Creative Scotland spokesperson said: “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.

“We understand that this is disappointing, and we continue to advocate for more resources to support culture and creativity across Scotland.”

Organisers say the September 7-18 festival, held at venues all over the county, has received 6,250 visitors so far this year, and its achieves over 80 per cent venue capacity each year.

It provides work for about 350 musicians and makes a priority of working with key Scottish ensembles.

Festival organisers say they consistently raise over two thirds of its income: one third from private sources, including sponsors, trusts and foundations, and one third from ticket sales.

Each application for funding was recommended by the music department at Creative Scotland, according to festival organisers. But each application was turned down by assessment panels, the last notification being on August 22 – just 16 days before this year’s festival was launched.