The isle of Skye is in for a musical treat when a top orchestra arrives for a three day visit later this month.
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra will become the first professional symphony orchestra to take up residency in Skye.
Over the three days, the BBC SSO will stage a series of concerts, surprise performances and interactive workshops on the island from February 11-13.
During this innovative residency, pop up performances will take place across the island in addition to two exclusive concerts for primary and secondary pupils.
There will also be workshops for pupils from all the islands’ primary schools, as well as Portree High School and Sabhal Mor Ostaig college students. The culmination of the residency is a public concert on February 13 which will be the first time a full professional symphony orchestra has performed on Skye.
Primary school pupils will also be given exclusive access to the orchestra’s rehearsal ahead of the Friday night concert, during which time they will have the opportunity to take part in a workshop which will see them draw pictures of the orchestra. Their pictures will be displayed in Portree High School before the public concert.
Orchestra director Gavin Reid said: “The orchestra is committed to performing throughout Scotland and to reaching as wide an audience as possible. This residency on Skye offers a unique opportunity to engage with the local community and hopefully inspire the next generation of musicians and music lovers.”
Schools’ workshops are being led by music leader Tim Steiner, who was previously the creative director of the BBC’s Over the Rainbow programme which documented the search to find a Dorothy for The Wizard of Oz.
At the Friday evening public concert, conductor will be Jessica Cottis with soloist Richard Watkins at Portree High School.
Highland Council’s music development officer, Norman Bolton said: “This residency will be very exciting for so many pupils on Skye to experience the unique thrill of seeing and hearing a full symphony orchestra and getting involved in a much closer way with the musicians at the workshop sessions. I’m sure this unique experience will be talked about for many years.”