Exclusive:'Existential questions' over future of Scottish national orchestra amid funding crisis

Alistair Mackie, chief executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), said the orchestra’s grant from the Scottish Government remains at the same level as 2009 - which he described as a “30 per cent real-terms cut”. He said sustaining a full-time, professional orchestra was in question without additional funds.

He said the orchestra had increased its income by 50 per cent since the fiscal year 2018-2019, but warned spending on vital expenses such as touring were at risk without additional funds.

Writing in The Scotsman, Mr Mackie said: “Despite reaching 137,000 people in Scotland last season and generating £13 million in income, we face an existential question: how much longer can we sustain a full-time, professional national orchestra on current funding?”

He added: “It’s a virtuous circle. International touring enhances our reputation, which attracts world-class musicians to work with us, which enables us to win commercial recording contracts, which in turn supports our ability to maintain a full-time, salaried orchestra and support our vital community work.”

An economic impact study by Biggar Economics and published by the RSNO in November claimed the orchestra could generate nearly an extra £14 million in economic value for Scotland if its government funding were to increase by just £3m a year.

The Scottish Government is set to reveal its latest funding plans for the RSNO and other “national performing companies” in the upcoming budget, due to be published on Tuesday.

Mr Mackie said: “This isn’t cultural begging. Our donors and supporters increasingly recognise what policymakers sometimes miss: that funding culture represents investment with tangible returns. They understand that supporting national cultural institutions delivers jobs, attracts international talent, generates export income, and provides competitive advantage in creative industries. This perspective—viewing cultural funding as strategic economic and social policy rather than charitable giving—reflects evolved economic thinking about how nations build sustainable prosperity.”

He added: “Only Greece spends less on cultural services than the UK. The Scottish Government’s commitment to increase cultural spend by £100 million is extremely welcome and will bring Scotland a step closer to the European average.”

Mr Mackie called for initiatives akin to Art Council England’s Endowment Catalyst Fund, which he said had provided a boost for the London Symphony Orchestra.

He said: “Without a significant change to the UK taxation system, we will need clear financial incentives to encourage the growth of endowment funds. It is encouraging to see how the London Symphony Orchestra’s endowment fund has grown significantly by leveraging support from Arts Council England’s Endowment Catalyst Fund. Scotland requires similar initiatives—not as an aspiration, but as essential infrastructure for our cultural future.

“As one of Scotland’s five National Performing Companies, we understand the competing fiscal pressures. But other nations treat cultural funding as essential infrastructure investment, not a cost centre to be cut when times are difficult. The evidence suggests they may be right—the only question is whether policymakers will heed it before damage becomes irreversible.”

A Scottish Government spokesperspn said: “The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is funded directly by the Scottish Government and in 2025/26 the budget for them was set at over £4,389,200.

“The Scottish Government is committed to investing at least £100 million more annually in the arts and culture by 2028-29, having increased investment by almost £50 million to-date.”