McCausland Explores Connections With Scotland

Looking forward to his visit the Minister said: "One of the Northern Ireland Executive's priorities is developing East-West relationships with other parts of the United Kingdom and Scotland is our nearest neighbour.

"There are deep cultural, historical and social connections between Ulster and Scotland and I will be exploring how these can be augmented and strengthened.

"I will be meeting the culture and sports ministers in the Scottish Parliament and also visiting a number of Scottish cultural organisations and institutions.

"Just like Northern Ireland, where we have two minority languages, Ulster-Scots and Irish, there are two minority languages in Scotland and I will be visiting Scots language experts in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as Sbhal Mor Ostaig, Scotland's only all-Gaelic institution, on the Isle of Skye."

The Minister will also be visiting the Scottish Arts Council, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland.

The Minister said: "I am going to Scotland to listen and to learn how they have improved services and service delivery in the areas of culture, arts and sport.

"I also want to share with Scottish colleagues positive aspects of the Northern Ireland experience, and to see how we can strengthen cultural connections between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

"Pipe bands are an obvious example of that connection and Belfast will be hosting the European Pipe Band Championships for three years from 2011 to 2013.

"It is also my hope that Northern Ireland will have the opportunity to host the World Pipe Band Championships in the future and to show the international audience what we have to offer in terms of location, hospitality, and of course, world class pipe bands."