First Minister Alex Salmond today opened a £7.6 million cultural centre at Scotland's only Gaelic college.
The Fas Centre has been developed on the campus of Sabhal Mor Ostaig on the island of Skye.
The new centre is intended to attract and support cultural enterprises, including media, publishing and Gaelic projects.
And the First Minister said it would become a home for artists, musicians, broadcasters, Gaelic adult learners and many others.
As well as opening the centre Mr Salmond announced the Scottish Government was providing £260,000 of funding to support its work.
Of that, £200,000 will be used for digital TV production and post-production equipment, with £60,000 going towards the college's plans to produce a Gaelic historical dictionary.
The Fas Centre has been set up with cash from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Council, the government, the BBC and others.
And it will help to sustain 70 jobs on the island.
At the opening Mr Salmond said that with 60,000 Gaelic speakers in Scotland - including almost 6,000 in Glasgow - it was "truly a national language".
And he added that as Scotland's only Gaelic-medium college, Sabhal Mor Ostaig was at the forefront of efforts to promote and develop the language in Scotland.
Mr Salmond said: "The new Fas Centre will allow the college's reputation to grow, and will be a home for artists, musicians, broadcasters, Gaelic adult learners and much more.
"That's why I am pleased to announce £260,000 funding to support its valuable work and to help creative talents to flourish."
And he added: "What better place to set a centre for creativity and culture than amongst some of Scotland's most stunning scenery? It is a fine example of the magic Scotland has to offer. Skye is the obvious place to develop stars of the future."
Mr Salmond was in America recently for Scotland week and he said: "I know that there is enormous interest in Scotland internationally and that Scotland is capable of global cultural success "By continuing to develop our rich culture, our talent and opportunities to showcase their potential, we can promote Scotland's creativity across the world."
Highlands and Islands Enterprise contributed £3.6 million towards the new centre.
Chairman William Roe said this was the largest-ever investment the organisation had made in in a single creative industries project and added the funding was "critical" in ensuring the project progressed.
Speaking about the centre Mr Roe said: "High quality jobs are being supported and a world-class business environment has been created in a rural area."
He added: "Developing quality learning infrastructure is fundamental to the long term growth and sustainability of the Highlands and Islands.
"The mix of cultural and business activity at Fas will create a vibrant centre for creativity, promoting creative industry as well as creativity and the arts, in the context of Gaelic culture and language."
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