Scottish funding backs kilt runners and pipe bands overseas.

Eighteen projects across six continents received grants from the Scottish Connections Fund to support Scottish culture, heritage, education and business links abroad; the round attracted 79 applications seeking a share of around £77,000.

Eighteen projects across six continents have been awarded grants from the Scottish Connections Fund. The fund supports initiatives that promote Scottish culture, heritage, education and business links overseas. Awarded projects include a ceilidh in Gothenburg, a Chicago dementia collaboration and a textile exchange between Dundee and Whanganui in New Zealand. The funding round drew 79 applications seeking a share of around £77,000. Key details: - 18 projects across six continents were funded. - Projects highlighted include a ceilidh in Gothenburg; a Chicago Scots dementia project; and the Whanganui–Dundee textile exchange. - US recipients include the MacMillan United Pipe Bands in Virginia for a youth band and the Charleston Pipe Band in South Carolina for pop-up music classrooms at festivals. - Other funded activities include a Scottish-themed programme at The Washington Tattoo, a Scottish higher education and cultural festival in Indonesia, and a Kilt Run in Melbourne. - The round attracted 79 applications seeking a share of around £77,000. - Some national arts bodies have publicly expressed concern about wider cultural funding in Scotland following the Budget. Summary: The awards are intended to strengthen cultural and educational connections between Scotland and communities overseas, and they range from performances and festivals to academic and heritage projects. Many of the funded activities are planned to take place internationally in the months ahead. Undetermined at this time.