The Railway is on track to capture some history

In 2016, Hamish Napier was commissioned by Karen Blessington of the Grantown East: Highland Heritage and Cultural Centre, to compose and record a soundtrack encapsulating the essence of the once derelict Grantown East railway station and the people whose lives were dominated by its existence. Not an easy task, but a challenge Hamish has surely…

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Piping legend celebrated in new Blas musical work

A name synonymous with all things related to Highland bagpipes will be centre of attraction on the first day of this September’s Blas festival. The music of the late great piper, Pipe Major Donald Macleod MBE, will be showcased in Crossing the Minch; a project dreamt up by The Big Music Society, led by world…

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Big names keep coming to the Blas Festival

Next month Scotland will host some of folk music’s biggest names during Blas Festival. Amongst the acts to perform across Ross-shire, and further afield, will be Julie Fowlis, BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner Mischa Macpherson and Breabach pipers Calum MacCrimmon and James Duncan Mackenzie with a new project in tribute to the late…

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Dolina ready to mark 80th birthday at Blas Festival

A Gaelic writer, actress and singer is set to celebrate her 80th birthday in style with musical friends. Broadcaster and political campaigner, Dolina Maclennan will celebrate her 80th birthday at a concert during Blas Festival  on 15 September. Brought up in Marvig, Lewis, Dolina was introduced to drama and the great Gaelic bards at Nicolson…

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Eurovision Young Musicians coming to Scotland

When you think of the word ‘Eurovision’, the high camp and drama of the song contest springs to mind, but there is a more refined side to the organisation as well. This year’s Eurovision Young Musicians 2018 will see young artists from 18 countries taking part, as the competition comes to Scotland for the first…

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Fringe review: The Really Terrible Orchestra

When I asked the Really Terrible Orchestra’s assistant concertmaster what they would be playing in the Fringe concert this year, she said she had no idea. Bear in mind that this was about two hours before kick-off, in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, where a full house of almost 800 was gathering to hear the world’s…

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Singer will mark 80th birthday with a live performance

A Scots singing star is to celebrate his 80th birthday in style with a concert on Skye. As part of next month’s Blas Festival, a nine day festival celebrating Highland music and culture at venues across the Highlands and Islands, Gaelic star Alasdair Gillies will be performing. Alasdair has been described as one of the…

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Youngsters at the heart of this year’s Blas Festival

More than 1000 people are to take part in a Highland music festival celebrating Scotland’s young musicians. The programme for this year’s Blas Festival has been launched and revealed an outstanding line up of musicians from Scotland and further afield as well as some exciting opportunities for budding young musicians and composers. Blas, which means…

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V&A Dundee opening attracts Scots music stars

A free two-day celebration of design, music and performance will mark the opening of V&A Dundee. Legendary Scottish rockers Primal Scream will headline the 3D Festival, and will be joined by singer-songwriter, and BBC Radio 1 Brit List artist, Lewis Capaldi and Dundee’s own Be Charlotte, to perform at the 3D Festival on Friday 14…

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Concerts with a difference coming to three Scottish cities

Scots who enjoy their music are being invited to experience it in a different way. Once a month from August to November, you can spend a different kind of night down the pub with music by some of our finest new-generation composers, performed by top instrumentalists and singers, all brought to you by composer, Matthew…

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