We help develop Scotland’s events industry and its reputation as the Perfect Stage for Events by:
Events boost the country's economy and generate positive social, environmental, and profile benefits for Scotland.
The following is a list of events we have supported and / or are in the process of supporting through our funding.
If your event has received funding from VisitScotland Events and is not currently listed on this page, please email information@visitscotland.com.
Over the years, Scotland has hosted many major events which have delivered significant impacts to our country. The following is only a handful of examples which showcase some of the benefits that global major events bring.
Edinburgh Festival City have published their 2030 vision for a resilient and ambitious festival city. This document demonstrates the significant benefits that these international festivals generate. It also highlights their importance to Scotland’s culture, economy, and place in the world.
From 3 to 13 August 2023, the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships was hosted in Glasgow and across Scotland. This was the single biggest cycling event in history. It brought together 13 existing UCI World Championships into one mega event for the first time ever.
Over 1 million
spectators (total cumulative attendance over 11 days)
£205 million
gross value added economic impact for Scotland
537 million
TV audience
Read our news item about the economic impact of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Partners were encouraged to help promote both the event as well as celebrate the #PowerOfTheBike. We helped to make the following assets and ready-to-use content available for them to do so.
Published August 2022
The Squiggly Bike logo in various formats. Using the logo was a great way for businesses and organisations to enable and encourage more people to ride more bikes.
Published September 2022
The logo was made available to use for free across promotions, communications and assets.
Published August 2022
This guide was created to keep a clear and consistent message across channels, no matter the audience.
Golf events continue to add significant value to the Scottish economy along with wider benefits. The 150th Open was one of five major tournaments hosted across summer 2022, further reinforcing Scotland’s reputation as the Home of Golf.
£300 million
economic benefit generated
£201 million
destination marketing benefit was delivered for Scotland, the Home of Golf
290,000
spectators, resulting in a record breaking attendance
Source: Independent study commissioned by The R&A, VisitScotland and Fife Council
In November 2021 Scotland welcomed the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to Glasgow. It was the largest business event ever hosted in the UK.
The climate talks brought together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners. In Glasgow, these groups agreed to co-ordinate action to tackle climate change under the Paris Agreement. There were close to 40,000 attendees.
The conference was carbon neutral (carried out in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol). This was measured using the PAS2060 international standard on carbon neutrality.
The conference not only further showcased Scotland as the perfect host. It also demonstrated how business events can bring significant social and economic change.
22,000 delegates
in attendance at the event
14,000 observers
in attendance at the event
3,800 media reps
in attendance at the event
Use the following ways to stay informed about events taking place in Scotland.
Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed about Scottish event sector news, industry support, and guidance.
Follow us on LinkedIn to get the latest Scottish events news and to find out about industry opportunities and support.
The purpose of the VisitScotland Events Subsidy Scheme is to allow VisitScotland to award subsidies (using VisitScotland and other public funds) to organisations involved in the delivery of cultural, sporting and heritage events within Scotland that would not otherwise proceed (either at all or to the quality that VisitScotland requires) in the absence of the award.
The following documentation sets out the specific provisions for VisitScotland’s (i) National Programme; (ii) International Programme; and (iii) Golf Programme.
It also sets out an assessment of the scheme against the subsidy control principles as set out in the Subsidy Control Act 2022.
This Subsidy Scheme was previously called the EventScotland Subsidy Scheme. As at 22 July 2026, the scheme is now known as the VisitScotland Events Subsidy Scheme. The change in scheme name is a permitted modification under section 81 of the Subsidy Control Act 2022 because it is an administrative modification only. There is no other change beyond the name of the scheme.
Published July 2026
VisitScotland Events Subsidy Scheme criteria and principles