Organiser of this year's Blas festival have said it will attract visitors to the Highlands despite the current economic climate.
The line-up for the Gaelic and traditional music festival has been announced and includes singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean, musicians Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, Blazin' Fiddles, The Barra MacNeils and Karen Matheson of Capercaillie.
Shows will be hosted in a variety of venues across the Highlands from village halls to Eden Court in Inverness.
The schedule of events will include shows based on clan and family ties, an extensive schools programme and events featuring the best of Highland food.
Festival director Donna MacRae told the Press and Journal: "Blas is Gaelic for `taste' or `savour' and there is much to whet the cultural appetite in this year's programme.
"We are announcing its details much earlier than previous years as we have a significant partnership with Homecoming Scotland 2009.
"We will have unique performers and events taking place right across the Highlands from September 4-12.
"We're convinced our programme will attract tourists in these stricken financial times and give the people of the Highlands an opportunity for authentic celebration of their own culture."
Highland Council convener Sandy Park said: "In just a few short years, Blas has grown into one of the Highlands' premier events, presenting superb programmes, firmly rooted in Highland Communities.
"Highland Council very much values the contribution Blas makes to the region's cultural identity in terms of economic and social impacts, its investment in young people, and its sharing and promotion of the Gaelic language.
"We are committed to supporting Blas in celebrating the culture of the Highlands."
A spokesperson for Homecoming Scotland 2009 said: "We're delighted that we will be helping to stage the unique whisky and clan events that Blas has planned.
"They should prove to be great attractions to the Scots living home and abroad, and those who simply love Scottish culture."
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