BACK in October 2007, I interviewed Judi Menabney, the Principal Cultural Officer at Highland Council, about what was perceived to be potentially damaging cutbacks in Highland Council’s programme of Arts Officers (then about to be re-designated as Cultural Officers).

Judi took an upbeat stance, and emphasised the fact that the officers on the ground were “fantastic value for money in terms of helping community groups in particular to maximise their potential”.

If there was concern then, it now looks like a golden age of arts provision. The news that the Council are to delete – a charming piece of official-ese – the three remaining Cultural Officer posts as part of their wide-ranging series of cuts voted through this month presumably leaves those same communities (not to mention the three very good and hard-working individuals involved) to their own devices.

Highland Council will point to the H2007 Legacy Fund as a substitute, but it hardly makes up for having an experienced helper on the ground to both instigate and mentor activities. As I understand it, the Scottish Government funded Cultural Co-ordinators programme will end this summer as well, leaving a void at the heart of the community arts provision in the Highlands & Islands, and placing extra stress on organisations like Eden Court Outreach and localised or visiting initiatives to plug the gap as best they can.

For many of us more involved with the professional high-end of the arts, the change might not seem to impinge too much. The Cultural Officers work was often locally-based and below the radar, but it is likely to be missed, and sends out a bad signal on the Council’s intentions regarding cultural provision.

The arts could hardly hope to be excluded from the current blood-letting, but I cannot imagine that the savings made from removing these posts will make much difference to the Council’s very real financial plight, while eradicating a small but important element of their service.

As it happens, Bob Pegg, a deleted employee in an earlier purge, has written a fascinating account of his experiences in the arts in the Highlands since his first taste of the Wick festival over three decades ago.

When I first spoke with Bob about this piece, I had envisaged a modest article. Instead, we have the roots of a small book, and at almost 11,000 words, the longest piece we have published on Northings. It is available as a downloadable PDF to be read at leisure, and I recommend it to you – not least for his pertinent thoughts on the current situation.

Our main interview this month features one of a number of Fiona Mackenzies currently active on the Highlands & Islands arts scene. This Fiona is not our regular contributor to Northings, but one of the Mackenzie sisters from Lewis. Although family commitments have put the group Mackenzie on hold, she continues to pursue a solo career, and to work with her husband, singer and guitarist Brian Ó hEadhra. John Saich put the questions.

As usual, we will be adding more news, reviews and features (not to mention blogs and podcasts) as the month goes on.

Kenny Mathieson
Commissioning Editor, Northings

Kenny Mathieson lives and works in Boat of Garten, Strathspey. He studied American and English Literature at the University of East Anglia, graduating with a BA (First Class) in 1978, and a PhD in 1983. He has been a freelance writer on various arts-related subjects since 1982, and contributes to the Inverness Courier, The Scotsman, The Herald, The List, and other publications. He has contributed to numerous reference books, and has written books on jazz and Celtic music.