| HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, launched the North Highland Initiative (NHI) in August 2005 to promote and develop the economy and to support the rural communities of the North Highlands. The NHI was formed as a direct result of The Duke's involvement in bringing together the farming community, local businesses and the tourism industry to address some of the challenges facing rural communities in the far north of Scotland by creating a powerful regional identity for the area through marketing. North Highland Connections is another arm of The Prince's Initiative. As with the other parts of NHI, it is concerned to enhance the quality of life for the scattered communities of the North Highlands, doing so through the promotion of a wide range of arts ventures, as well as an integrated programme of educational outreach.
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The Prince of Wales, Duke of Rothesay, during the official launch of North Highland Connections on 4th August, 2008. Connections launch raises the rafters By Elizabeth-Anne Mackay. Published in the John O'Groat Journal 6 August, 2008: PRINCE Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, was moved to tears during an operatic ensemble staged to mark the launch of a new Far North arts initiative. Prince Charles said it had been a "treat" to hear students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama "literally raise the rafters" during a special performance held on Monday as part of the North Highland Connections (NHC) inaugural event. The new venture, likely to become one of the biggest arts organisations operating in the North, is being spearheaded by an arm of the North Highland Initiative (NHI), which was set up by the Prince in 2005 to help regenerate the area in the wake of the Dounreay rundown. His Royal Highness told an audience of invited guests and local dignitaries at Thurso's Mill Theatre reopened in October 1988 by the late Queen Mother that he was encouraged to see the connection being made with the prestigious Glasgow-based academy.
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