The natural Moray landscape will become the setting for a six-day art festival that will stretch to unexpected locations.
Findhorn Bay Festival’s wide-ranging programme was launched yesterday featuring events in Findhorn, Forres, Kinloss and Elgin.
As well as taking in some of the most scenic sights in the area the celebration will also include guerrilla lighting in urban streets and art in a supermarket.
Embedding the programme throughout the area is key for the festival’s director Kresanna Aigner.
She said: “We are incredibly lucky with the wide range of landscapes we have here. There are beaches and incredible scenery.
“The culture doesn’t just happen whenever we put on the festival though. It happens all the time in the surroundings we have.”
Musician in residence Michiel (correct) Turner and a cappella group Too Many Kooks gave guests a flavour of what is to come at the launch yesterday.
This year’s festival opens with a performance from gaelic singer Julie Fowlis, best known for singing the theme song for Disney’s Brave.
Other highlights include musicians Randolph’s Leap and James Yorkston. The celebrations close with Scottish Opera’s new production of The Elixir of Love.
Throughout the six days children will get the chance to make their own version of the festival’s mascot Struan the Stag, designed by Celia Forestal Smith using offcuts from Johnstons of Elgin.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead hailed the event as a demonstration that art and culture was “alive and kicking” in Moray.
He said: “The festival is fast becoming a huge asset for Moray, bringing with it a big boost for the local economy and for our arts and culture.
“There’s no doubt it is going from strength to strength and gives local people the chance to see fantastic local talent as well as visiting talent.”
The inaugural event in 2014 had an economic impact of £650,000 on the area with visitors travelling from overseas to visit.
David Oxley, area manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “Culture is a vital part of the economic mix in Moray, and events like this bring new visitors to the area, provide an opportunity for volunteers, showcase the fantastic area we live in, and importantly provide an economic boost to Moray.”
The Findhorn Bay Festival runs from September 21 to 26.