BROADCASTER DAN SNOW EXAMINES CULLODEN’S IMPACT ON SCOTLAND AND BRITAIN AT HOLYROOD FESTIVAL

News release issued Friday, August 4, 2006
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Gàidhlig

The impact of the bloody battle of Culloden and what it meant for the future of Scotland and Britain will be examined during a thought provoking lecture at Holyrood’s Festival of Politics on Saturday 26 August.

Dan Snow, presenter of the acclaimed BBC series Battlefield Britain, will discuss the last major battle fought on British soil and its legacy for Scotland and Britain.

The Holyrood lecture will be the highlight of a series of events taking place across Scotland to raise awareness of the battle as a watershed in history. The National Trust for Scotland as custodians of the Culloden Battlefield are building a new visitor centre and restoring the battlefield to further emphasise the historic significance of the site.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dan Snow said:

“Culloden Moor was the scene of the last major battle fought on mainland Britain in 1746 and made an indelible impression on the nature of the country and the world we live in today.

“After the battle, life in the Highlands changed forever. Culloden’s place in Scottish and British history is such that it would be a tragedy not to develop facilities for the growing number of people who yearn to be inspired by heritage.

“The Festival of Politics provides an ideal arena to discuss the contentious issues which still pervade around this historic event.”

Presiding Officer, George Reid MSP, said:

“Thousands attended our first award-winning Festival last year – thanks to a series of thought-provoking and stimulating events.

“This year with a programme that includes leading historians, politicians and academics – there’s a real breadth of knowledge and expertise that should ensure these talks are both informative and entertaining.”

The lecture is one of almost 50 events taking place during the Scottish Parliament’s four-day festival. This unique festival brings together the worlds of politics, media and the arts through performance, discussion and debate.

Among those taking part in conversation pieces are newsreader George Alagiah, political satirist Armando Iannucci and parliamentarians Tam Dalyell and Sir Menzies Campbell.

Their appearances form part of a complement of events ranging from topical discussion to drama and children’s events. Among the issues under discussion are Devolution and Scottish Identity, with professor David McCrone of Edinburgh University; the health of democracy in Scotland with Professor John Curtice of the University of Strathclyde; the role of the media in reporting on conflict with Hugh Miles – an authority on al-Jazeera, and Professor David Miller, an expert on propaganda and terrorism from the University of Strathclyde.

BACKGROUND NOTES

Dan Snow gained a first-class degree in history at Balliol College, Oxford where he developed a passion for military history, specialising in the First World War.

In 2002, together with his father, broadcaster Peter Snow, he made the BBC film of the Battle of El Alamein which celebrated the 60th anniversary of Montgomery's desert victory. This was followed in 2004 by Battlefield Britain – an eight-part television series which covered nearly 2000 years of battles fought on British soil.

The NTS Culloden Exhibition and accompanying lecture series aims to promote the new project and inform visitors of what they can see next year when the new centre is open.

Holyrood's Festival of Politics was introduced last year to Edinburgh's festival season and received an Editors' Top Ten Award from Threeweeks – the Edinburgh festivals' premier review publication.

Last year's critically acclaimed inaugural event proved so popular the Festival has been extended from three to four days, and has more than doubled the number of events to almost 50. The Festival includes the prestigious World Press Photo Exhibition, held for the first time in Scotland, which includes more than 200 striking images from life-changing world events in 2005.

Full programme details for the Festival of Politics are available at most major Edinburgh Festival Venues, from the Scottish Parliament or from our website (www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk). The Festival takes places 23-26 August.

Media Accreditation – Media interested in covering any of the Festival of Politics events should send an email detailing their name, publication, contact details and which event they would like to cover to: [email protected]

Media will be accredited for events in August and are invited, at this stage, to indicate their interest in attending events. Please note that some events may be oversubscribed but every effort will be made to accommodate requests where possible.

While most events are free, a small number of events will charge £5.00 (£3.00 concession) with those wishing to attend advised to book in advance.

Tickets can be obtained :

• Online from: www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk. Online booking is available 24 hours up to 4:00pm on the day before the event.
• By telephone: 0131 473 2000 (calls via RNID Typetalk: 018001 0131 473 2000). Fax: 0131 473 2003.
• By post: to the Festival of Politics, Hub Tickets, The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE.
• In person at the Scottish Parliament or at the Hub.

Visitors to the Festival will be able to use the free crèche. The crèche opened in 2004 for members of the public visiting Parliament and provides up to four hours free child care for 0-5 year olds. For information call: 0131 348 6192.

To ensure Festival of Politics events are as accessible as possible, please specify requirements when booking tickets. While British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation is provided automatically at some events, it can be requested for any of the others. Assistance dogs are welcome and all venues are accessible for wheelchair users.

For further information contact: [email protected]

Telephone: 0131 348 6852.

For public information/general enquiries:

Telephone 0131 348 500 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
E-mail: [email protected]

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The Festival of Politics is an initiative of the Scottish Parliament.

The Festival of Politics 2006 Partners are:
Standard Life; BAA Scotland; and ScottishPower.