A GAELIC singer nominated for an Oscar for the soundtrack of the Disney Pixar film Brave is to be recognised by the Scottish Parliament.
North Uist performer Julie Fowlis will be commended by MSPs for her efforts to promote Scotland and its native tongue following the film's release.
The film Brave brought worldwide attention to Scotland and tourism body VisitScotland will invest £7 million in a tourism marketing campaign on the back of the film, which bosses predict could bring £140m to the economy.
Appearances by Ms Fowlis at film premieres, on television and in media interviews publicising the film across the world had the additional benefit of promoting Scotland and Scottish music to a wider audience.
Rob Gibson, an SNP MSP, has now lodged a motion in Holyrood to congratulate Ms Fowlis on being nominated for an Oscar for the song Touch the Sky alongside household names such as Katie Perry, Jessie J and Scarlett Johansson.
"To make the long-list nomination is a great achievement and I warmly congratulate Julie on that. She is a fantastic ambassador for Gaelic music and Scots music in general, putting it on the world map," he said.
"Julie should be proud of her efforts to raise the profile of Scots song around the world, and this nomination is a reflection of her hard work and talent for writing beautiful songs."
Ms Fowlis is no stranger to awards and distinctions, winning Gaelic Singer Of The Year and Album Of The Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2007 (winning Album of the Year a second time in 2010) and nominated for the three years running as BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year.
She is perhaps most proud of her award as Scotland's Gaelic Ambassador, or Tosgaire na Gàidhlig, bestowed by the Scottish Parliament in 2008/09.
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