Why is Argyll the only highland area not included in the Blas Festival?

The fourth annual Blas Festival starts today and runs until 13th September. It serves all of the mainland highland areas except Argyll. Lochaber is the nearest we can get to it. Anyone got any answers?

There are two sides to any question. Without the slightest trace of paranoia, there’s plenty of evidence in areas from funding to cultural inclusion that the spectrum of Highlands and Islands organisations simply don’t see Argyll as being on their scene.

While the festival was devised by Highland Council and, as it stands, takes place throughout its mainland base, why cannot Argyll and Bute Council work alongside Highland in this event? Blas is about taking festival events to village halls. This is as perfect a fit for Argyll as it is for the rest of the highlands, as areas with an extensive landmass and small, dispersed popilations.

The event is run in association with the Promoters Arts Network. There are members of that network running venues n Argyll.This means that Argyll has necessary infrastructure to take advantage of – and develop -  the Blas festival in its territory. Are we dropping the pass here?