Last year, a Scottish Thistle Award went to environmental arts charity NVA for their groundbreaking event ‘The Storr: Unfolding Landscape’ on the Isle of Skye. Now, for their next ambitious project, they’ve set their sights on Mid-Argyll.

For three weeks in September 2007, the ancient and resonant landscape of Kilmartin and North Knapdale will stage NVA’s next major site-specific work in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland.

The production will represent a key part of the region’s participation in the Highland 2007 initiative and will bring new audiences both local and UK wide, attracting massive press attention to the area’s world class heritage.

No equivalent arts project has been undertaken in Argyll before and it remains pioneering on a UK wide level. The joint venture of NVA and the National Theatre of Scotland has the potential to radically raise the profile of Mid Argyll as a unique tourist destination as well as boosting the local economy and enhancing long-term awareness of the region.

An audience of up to 10,000 will be invited to freely explore a range of iconic locations throughout the day. By night, they will be transported to a forest, for a remarkable performance in a set constructed from thousands of cut logs, centred above the ancient hill fort of Dunadd, capital of the Kingdom of Dalriada where Scotland’s first Kings were crowned.

Glasgow-based NVA has built a powerful reputation for delivering temporary and permanent artworks across Europe. As well as ‘The Storr: Unfolding Landscape’, they have also attracted praise for ‘Radiance: Glasgow’s Festival of Light 2005’ and the permanent Hidden Gardens at the Tramway in Glasgow.

For more information on NVA, or to register for updates, visit www.nva.org.uk

A full list of winners at the 2006 Scottish Thistle Awards can be found at http://www.visitscotland.org/events-and-training/thistleawards.htm