BLAS FESTIVAL LAUNCHES 53 SHOWS ACROSS 48 HIGHLAND VENUES

4th August 2007

The leading Gaelic and Traditional music festival in the Highlands has published its 2007 programme of events detailing 53 shows across 48 venues in the region.

The BLAS festival will host an array of home grown and internationally-renowned musicians from 31st August - 8th September and is a highlight of the Highland 2007 programme. It is a celebration of Highland music which will see a variety of performances ranging from The Scottish Ensemble with Capercaillie's Karen Matheson, to KIN - a new
commission from Duncan Chisholm.

Other highlights include Donald Shaw's 'Harvest', Dòchas, Mary Jane Lamond Band, Kathryn Tickell Band, Na Seòid - The New Gaelic Men, and Shooglenifty.

Festival Director Donna Cunningham said: "This is our third year and we've managed to create our best programme yet. We have something for everyone with performances in big venues such as St Andrew's Cathedral in Inverness, the Nevis Centre in Fort William, and the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort. There will also be shows in more intimate community venues such as village halls and schools.

"BLAS is truly a festival of the Highlands and we have shows taking place in all areas of the region, including Inverness for the first time. We get off to a fine start with our official festival launch being at Runrig's 'Beat The Drum' gig at Loch Ness."

Calum Macdonald of Runrig said: "Runrig are delighted that Blas are joining us at our 'Beat the Drum' event to launch their 2007 festival. We feel a great empathy with the whole ethos of Blas and applaud all that they have achieved over the years. At 'Beat the Drum' we hope to provide a special day that celebrates the diversity of Highland based music. As well as the main stage attractions, the Blas Festival will provide a musical background throughtout the earlier part of the day, featuring the best of the young talent from the current traditional scene."

The main sponsor of this year's festival is the Clydesdale Bank. Alan Holland, Managing Partner of the Bank's Financial Solutions Centre in Inverness said: "Clydesdale Bank are
delighted to support BLAS during 2007, Scotland's Year of Highland Culture. Clydesdale Bank has a long history of supporting community events and activities throughout
Scotland and we are delighted we now have this partnership in place with a flagship project, throughout the Highlands, which will benefit locals and visitors alike."

Highland 2007 director Fiona Hampton said: "The programme for Blas in 2007 looks exceptional and builds upon the success of the Festival in its first two years. Audiences
across the Highlands are in for a treat with the very best international and home grown talent on show in what promises to be a fabulous celebration of Gaelic and traditional
music."

Information about the festival events is available from the website www.blas-festival.com


Tickets are available by telephone hotline: 01463 782213; from venues staging the festival shows; or on-line at www.thebooth.co.uk
www.thebooth.co.uk