A superstar of Irish traditional music has unveiled plans to play four concerts in the Highlands and Argyll as part of the Blas Festival.
Accordion and fiddle player Sharon Shannon, one of Ireland’s most famous and successful musicians, will take to the stage in Inverness, Oban, Plockton and Helensburgh.
Her self-titled album from 1991 is one of the biggest-selling recordings of traditional Irish music ever released, and she has gone on to work with household names such as The Waterboys, Sinead O’ Connor, Shane McGowan and Steve Earle.
It will be the first time Ms Shannon has taken part in the Blas Festival, which will take place this year from September 2 to 10.
Arthur Cormack, of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, the organisation which delivers the Blas Festival in partnership with Highland Council, revealed the gigs yesterday.
“Blas is delighted that Sharon Shannon and her band will be appearing at this year’s festival and that we continue to celebrate our musical, cultural and linguistic connections with Ireland,” he said.
“Not only are we bringing the best of traditional Irish box playing to the Highlands and Argyll for four concerts, but we are ensuring young people from the area get an opportunity to perform alongside a musician held in such high regard.”
Ms Shannon will be appearing at Helensburgh’s Victoria Halls on September 7, Plockton High School Hall on September 8, the Corran Halls in Oban on September 9, and Eden Court in Inverness on September 10.
The date in the Highland capital will be the grand finale of the Blas programme, and also feature Tide Lines, Nuallan and Angus Peter Campbell.
Blas is an annual festival celebrating Highland music and Gaelic culture, with a series of events held across the region each year in September.
The event was established 12 years ago and is estimated to be worth up to £600,000 to the local economy.