I was concerned to read reports in the Telegraph this week that the future of Inverclyde Music Festival is under threat.

As many readers will know, the Music Festival consists of two weeks packed with performances by a broad range of bands and artists.

It provides a platform for our local young people to display their musical talents, and hosts classes celebrating Scottish culture.

By keeping ticket prices low, it is known for its accessibility, helping everyone in Inverclyde to engage with Scotland’s culture.

Inverclyde Music Festival has run for 97 years so far – but a £12,000 funding gap caused by increased costs means it is far from certain that it will continue for a 98th.

For the countless families who have enjoyed the festival over generations, its cancellation would be extremely disappointing.

And as Isabel Lind, the festival’s president, has made clear, ‘it would leave a huge cultural gap in Inverclyde’.

I echo Mrs Lind’s plea to anyone who could possibly help keep the festival running to visit the Inverclyde Music Festival website.

But while public donations are welcome, it should not have to come to this.

Year after year, the Scottish Government’s treatment of the sector has been a constant cycle of promises of funding followed by cuts and excuses. This has reduced the expected support available to organisations and also provided huge uncertainty. 

Just weeks ago, some of Scotland’s biggest names, including Paolo Nutini and Biffy Clyro, warned of an ‘impending cultural catastrophe’ due to the overall lack of certainty for the sector.

Councils also faced huge pressures as a result of relentless Scottish Government cuts to local government budgets.

This means that two of the ways that local cultural organisations access funding are being squeezed at the same time.

I sincerely hope that support is found to allow Inverclyde Music Festival to continue. 

Our cultural events and traditions are too important to lose.

In the meantime the Scottish Government must stop the excuses, start delivering on its promises and give our creatives the certainty they need – now.