The results from the latest Themed Year, Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, have now been published. Our new report highlights the significant benefits it brought to Scotland and its communities.
Over 1.4 million people attended a total of 201 funded events which were designed to share and celebrate Scotland’s stories.
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Scotland’s Year of Stories shone a spotlight to celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland.
The Year encouraged locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present. It contributed to recovery from the pandemic and inspired new stories of Scotland to be shared.
354
funded and partner events delivered across 32 local authorities
6,620
new artist opportunities created, with 91% of open fund events commissioning new original work
42% of funded events
celebrated by showcasing Scots and Gaelic language
4 million views
of the Year of Stories promotional videos
2,760
pieces of media coverage generated
148 million
reached through our marketing campaigns
81% of attendees
at community events became more aware of Scotland's diverse range of stories
75% of attendees
are more likely to visit places connected with Scotland’s stories
A central strand of activity was the creation of a diverse events programme, with events staged in all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities. Hundreds of organisations worked in collaboration to ensure that the full diversity of our stories, in all their richness and forms reached the widest audience.
The funded events programmes, which invested £1.33 million in the sector, shone a spotlight on well-loved and brand new stories alike. Participants who benefitted from the programme ranged from small to larger organisations, and national companies to community groups.
Local communities took to the spotlight with the support of the innovative Community Stories Programme. This included our partnership with Museums Galleries Scotland, with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund and Scottish Government.
This programme supported 180 community facing organisations with £732,000 of grant funding, plus additional ‘wrap around’ support. This provided opportunities for communities to come together, tell the stories that matter to them and develop skills, opportunities and partnerships.
Across these funded events, the Scots and Gaelic language was showcased at 42% of them. There was great variety in the ways which stories were told – from apps and digital content to in-person events, walking trails and exhibitions.
Accessibility was at the heart of the year, from British Sign Language (BSL) translation on videos and at live events, to free ticketing or ‘pay what you can’ at many events.
The events programme also helped to increase awareness of and appreciation for Scotland’s stories. 81% of community event attendees said that they were more aware of the wealth and diversity of Scotland’s stories.
The theme was also a source of inspiration for future visits, with 75% of community event attendees saying they're more likely to visit places connected with Scotland’s stories.
As well as an extensive events programme, the Year of Stories 2022 offered opportunities for the wider tourism industry and related sectors to share their own stories. There were multiple examples of businesses and organisations collaborating to create new content, campaigns and activities for communities and visitors.
