25th July 2016

Inaugural Colours of Cluny receives £35,000 boost from local foundations

Colours of Cluny, a spectacular light and sound show which is set to showcase the beauty of Cluny Hill in Forres, has received £35,000 in local funding in its inaugural year.

Two philanthropists and a charitable fund with links to the region have given the November event, the first of its kind in Morayshire, their backing.

The Budge Foundation, set up by Bill and Lorraine Budge, has donated £25,000 to Colours of Cluny. Bill Budge lives in Aberdeen but is originally from Forres. The couple set up the Foundation to support cultural and education-related projects in Scotland and worldwide. Other Budge Foundation beneficiaries include Forres Pipe Band, Forres Highland Games, Brodie Castle Playpark, CLAN Cancer Support and Action Medical Research. In Uganda, the Foundation has an ongoing programme of supporting health and education of young people being actively involved with the rebuilding of five schools, one specifically focused on street kids.

The Berry Burn Community Fund has awarded Colours of Cluny £10,000. The Fund, set up by the owners of the Berry Burn wind farm, Statkraft UK, supports cultural and education-related projects in Scotland and worldwide. Other beneficiaries of The Berry Burn Community Fund include Grantown Nursery and Forres Golf Course.

Colours of Cluny, to take place in the woods on top of Cluny Hill, a popular gathering place for the town, is a self-funding event with future profits being reinvested into staging future similar events.

Graham Murdoch, Chairman of Forres Features, a Community Interest Company, the organisation behind it, said:

“We’re extremely grateful to The Budge Foundation and The Berry Burn Community Fund for their support. Without it, we could not have moved this project forward. Colours of Cluny really is a community effort, as this support shows. We hope locals and visitors will join in the backing of a fantastic event by booking their tickets, and the earlier the better as we know it’s going to be a hit.”

Bill Budge commented:-

My wife Lorraine and I never cease to be impressed with what the many volunteers within Forres achieve. We are delighted to assist with this fantastic project, which offers so much for all age groups. We believe it has the potential to add another event on the annual calendar, along withForres Highland Games and Piping in Forres, to promote the town and deliver a very positive reason to be in Forres.”

The interactive family show has been developed by the same creative team who are behind the multi-award-winning Pitlochry sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest. Set to enhance the natural landscape in a dramatic and mesmerising mixture of sound and light, bringing awe to children and igniting a playful sense in adults, Colours of Cluny follows a route that begins close to the town centre with an illuminated walk through Grant Park, up Cluny Hill, before culminating in a show-stopping finale at the historic Nelson’s Tower.

The show will run on Wednesdays to Sundays from 10^th – 20^th November and tickets are available by visiting the website at www.coloursofcluny.com.