Rural Community Gateway

Seven mysterious stone sculptures have been installed across the 7stanes mountain biking centre. The ‘stanes’ took six months to create and can now be enjoyed in prominent locations near cycling and walking paths. The arts project is part of Forestry Commission Scotland’s drive to encourage more people to enjoy Scotland’s forests.

A photo competition has been launched, with photographers asked to submit their arty interpretation of the sculptures. Would-be detectives are being asked to read about the investigation into the mysterious arrival of the stanes and decipher symbols inscribed on them into a well known saying.

Minister for the Environment Michael Russell said, "These sculptures are an example of high quality art in a rural setting, which will open up the forests to a wider range of people, as well as allow the current users to explore new areas of the forests."

The sculptures are:

• Glentrool, The Giant Axe Head
• Kirroughtree, The Gem Stane
• Mabie, The Ghost Stane
• Glentress, The Meteorite
• Newcastleton, The Border Stane
• Ae, The Talking Head Stane
• Dalbeattie, The Heart Cleft Stane

For more information on the sculptures, the competitions and to get a copy of a leaflet about the stanes visit the 7stanes website.

 BURA Best Practice in Regeneration Awards – open for entries

The BURA Awards for Best Practice in Regeneration help to define excellence in regeneration across the UK. The 2008 awards are now open for entries.

Previous winners have come from projects large and small, such as a hub for training and learning and a trust that is changing lives in a community recovering from violent conflict.

It is free to enter, and anyone from any sector can submit an entry. The closing date is 6th June 2008. To see the assessment criteria, guidance notes and to download an entry form see the BURA website.

Buy into Highland website launched

The recently launched Buy into Highland website allows you to search for social enterprises in the Highlands by location and by service. Listed enterprises include the Highland Real Nappy Project and Rag Tag ‘n’ Textile, who recently took part in our Your Project feature.

As the website explains, “Social enterprises are trading organisations, often charities, which seek to generate income to cover their costs rather than being reliant on grants. Trading surpluses are reinvented. Social enterprise aims to promote community and/or environmental benefit rather than financial gain.”

If you are a social enterprise you can register your products and services free of charge on the site. Visit the Buy into Highland website.

e-Communities report published

How do community groups in the Highlands use information and communications technology? In November 2007, we gave you information on how you could take part in a study on this issue being carried out by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in the Skye and Raasay area. See Take part in e-Communities research.

The report from this study has now been published. The study found that community groups are both skilled and confident in ICT usage, and that the majority of groups have adapted ICT as a communication tool. The report also identifies a number of opportunities to further develop ICT usage.

You can download a copy of the e-Communities report from our documents library.

Interested in an MA Arts Management?

The North Highland College are considering introducing a new MA in Arts Management, ideal for people who are already working in the arts and voluntary sector and for funding bodies and public agencies.

The course will be delivered in modules through the College’s Virtual Learning Environment. The course is being designed in consultation with relevant professional organisations.

If you are interested you can find more information and a questionnaire to return in our documents library.