There are new directions in Sotland with the appointment of a new Director and the opening of a new 'place for music and the arts'. After an exhaustive selection process, Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has announced the appointment of Graham Berry as its new Director. Bringing a background in management and arts administration to the role, Berry commented, ‘I look forward to being Director of the SAC and the opportunity it will give me to ensure that the arts benefit the people of Scotland, both culturally and economically, within Scotland and internationally.’ Meanwhile, SAC recently opened Tolbooth, a new 'place for music and the arts’. Situated in Stirling, the venue is intended to provide a focus for the local community to participate in and enjoy the arts. Reportedly contributing more than half of the costs (GB£3.1 million), Maud Marshall Chair of SAC’s Capital Lottery Committee said, ‘Tolbooth will bring the best of new and traditional music and other arts.’ The building has a long history of versatility, with past roles including a town hall, a court and jail, as well as a venue for Parliament during the reign of James VI. ‘It will be a cornerstone of the new touring pattern for music being developed by the Scottish Arts Council: indeed, later this month, 70 people from Scotland and across the British Isles will come together to discuss ways in which music touring can be strengthened and extended across Scotland,’ announced Ms Marshall. For further information, visit: www.sac.org.uk