TOURIST chiefs have awarded more than £100,000 to help fund cultural events being held in Glasgow next year.

The VisitScotland cash will go to Homecoming Scotland, a year-round programme of activity running alongside the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.

The Tin Forest, a celebration of Glasgow's industrial past and creative future, has been awarded £40,000.

It will be staged in the South Rotunda, from July 24 until August 3.

Glasgow Film Festival, which runs from February 20 until March 2, gets £15,000.

The Creative Mackintosh Festival, from October 11 until 26, has been awarded £25,000.

And the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, which runs from March 14 to April, gets £30,000.

Homecoming Scotland, which is being marketed by VisitScotland in international and UK campaigns, will celebrate a diverse mix of Scottish culture through activity, ancestry, creativity, food and drink and nature.

Liz Buchanan, regional director of VisitScotland, said: "It is fantastic news that more than £100K of funding has been awarded to events in Glasgow.

"Next year Scotland welcomes the world with key events such as the Homecoming Scotland 2014 programme, the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup, and the more great events we have will help entice even more visitors to this great part of Scotland next year."

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing added: "Scotland is a modern, dynamic nation with a rich heritage, a global reach and confident of its place in the world.

"People from across the globe with an affinity to Scotland, as well as those without, are invited to join the celebration in 2014 when Scotland welcomes the world."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk