Costs of the 'Welcome to Scotland' event at Edinburgh Castle: FOI release

Information requested

 

“I am writing to ascertain costs of the event hosted by the Scottish Government's External Affairs Team. It was on 26 February 2019, the event was titled 'Welcome to Scotland' and Edinburgh Castle was the venue.

Please include details of the buying or hiring costs for the event. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Venue hire;
• Refreshments. Specifically, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and food;
• Waiting and serving staff;
• Kitchen staff;
• Entertainment;
• Decorations and adornments to the venue;
• Audiovisual equipment.”

 

Response

 

I enclose a copy of the information you requested covering the cost categories you have highlighted plus any additional costs provided by invoice. All costs include VAT.

The event held at Edinburgh Castle hosted a range of stakeholders across different sectors and celebrated the contribution made by a group of individuals who have travelled to Scotland to live and work within the last 12 months.

The Scottish Government is not liable for the costs of the event with the exception of the video loop creation listed below as total costs will be covered by TalentScotland. For clarity I have included final cost with and without this element. We hold the following information on costs:

 

Venue costs:
Venue Hire: No cost
Decorations and adornments to the venue: No cost
Refreshments (food, drinks & catering staff) : £5698.20
Entertainment (Piper & RCS musicians): £520
AV (standard package & 2 screens): £1399.32

Other costs:

Security transport to comply with military base requirement: (3 Shuttle Buses & drivers): £600
Photography: £240.00
Video Loop Creation: £351 (covered by Scottish Government - Marketing and Insight Unit)

TOTAL COSTS

Total costs to be covered by TalentScotland: £8457.52
Total cost covered by Scottish Government: £351
Total combined costs £8808.52

 

About FOI

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