In 2001, the Scottish Arts Council commissioned a survey to provide data on levels of attendance and participation in arts and cultural activities and attitudes towards the arts amongst adults in Scotland.  Over 2000 interviews were conducted throughout Scotland with a representative sample of the population, with around 200 of these interviews conducted in the Highlands & Islands region.

Whilst providing interesting statistics on Scottish attitudes to the arts, the survey also shows how attendance at and attitudes towards the arts in the Highlands & Islands differ from the national trends.  As a result, a very positive picture of arts support and attendance emerges for the region.
 

Key findings of the research as it relates to the Highlands and Islands are as follows:

• Above all other regions of Scotland, respondents from the Highlands and Islands (H&I) expressed most interest in the arts (53% of the region's respondents stated they were 'quite interested' or 'very interested' in the arts, as compared to a national average of 45%).
   
• In terms of attendance, the H&I also score very high - our attendance at live events is much higher than the average (71% of H&I respondents attended a live performance event in 2001, compared to a national average of 64%).
   
• In particular, attendance at live music events is particularly high in the H&I (68% compared to a national average of 58%), as is our attendance at dance events (43% as compared to a 27% Scottish average) and drama (46% as compared to a 38% average).  Scottish folk and country and western music also score particularly highly in the region when compared to the national average.
   
• As may be expected, H&I attendance at traditional music events (45%) is much higher that the national average (20%).  Likewise, Scottish traditional dance events draw around 43% of Highlanders compared to a 15% Scottish average.  Nearly a fifth of H&I residents attend traditional music events four or more times per year.
   
• Residents of the H&I are more likely to buy works of art or crafts objects (40%) than other regional populations in Scotland (25%).
   
• Attitudes to the arts are also shown to be very healthy in the H&I when compared to other areas.  86% of H&I respondents were in favour of Lottery money going to the arts (compared to a 76% national average).  Likewise 80% of H&I residents supported their local authority spending money on arts and culture (compared to 70% nationally).