Latest News

Pianist Molly McGregor is the Highland Young Musician of the Year after winning the 2013 title.   Yesterday eight of the Highland’s most talented young musicians gathered in Inverness to perform to a panel of judges.   ... [full story]

The first musical instruments purchased as part of the £1 million investment by the Scottish Government are beginning to arrive in schools across Scotland.   Learning Minister Alasdair Allan today visited Tynewater Primary School, which is one of the first schools to receive their new instruments.   ... [full story]

Eden Court, plan B and the Highland Council are delighted to announce a series of four dance commissions and residencies as part of the dance Strategy for the Highlands.  Submissions are being sought for four separate projects as outlined below: ‘Out with the old….’ Youth Dance Residency We are seeking an innovative and exciting company or choreographer to develop a new dance piece with a group of young dancers, aged 13-21 years.   ... [full story]

The only Caithness person to be mentioned in this years Neil Gunn Wrrting competition was Logan Mackay from Castletown Primary school.   "Marshmallow Mission" was one of the 'Commended' entries in the Primary Schools section of the Neil Gunn Writing Competition, 2013.   ... [full story]

North Highland Connections will present a lecture which will interest all who have a love for Caithness and its cultural history.   Dr Donna Heddle, Director of the Centre for Nordic Studies at the Orkney and Shetland College of the University of the Highlands and Islands.   ... [full story]

Blas 2013, the premier event celebrating all that is good about Gaelic language and culture, will spoil Highland music lovers for choice, festival organisers confidently claimed today, as they launched their ninth stellar line-up of musicians, singers and performers.   The packed programme of events, to take place between 6 and 14 September, will feature top performers and several new commissions.   ... [full story]

Eight of the Highland’s most talented young musicians will gather at Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Sunday 16th June as they complete for the title of ‘Highland Young Musician of the Year 2013’.   The Young Musician competition is now in its seventh year and is open to all those who are currently members of Highland Young Musicians (formerly Highland Regional Music Groups) with the first 3 competitors receiving monetary awards and the overall winner receiving the Richardson Trophy for Musical Excellence – generously gifted by Mr.   ... [full story]

The Scottish Brass Band Association are delighted to report on a new initiative to promote brass bands in Inverness.   Master-minded by Mark Bell, a ‘Brass Band Repertoire Day’ will take place on Saturday 22nd June between 10.00am – 3.00pm at Culloden Academy, Inverness.   ... [full story]

Rush.dance from the Highlands Win big At The Scottish Championships & take the chance to compete at the UDO World Street dance Championships in August.   The kids of Rush.dance have just competed at the UDO Scottish Championships in Glasgow with fantastic results.   ... [full story]

Society of Caithness Artists.   The 78th annual exhibition opens on July 23rd 2013 and runs untill Saturday 3rd August.   ... [full story]

SIX NEW CAITHNESS PLAYS BY SIX NEW CAITHNESS PLAYWRIGHTS PREMIERED IN WICK North Highland College creative writing class present six new short plays in moved readings by community actors on 6th and 13th June at 7.00 pm in the Smith Room, Pulteney Centre, Wick.   Both events are free but a donation will be asked for to cover tea, coffee etc Come and be part of the future of playwrighting in Caithness!.   ... [full story]

6th - 14th September 2013 Now in its sixth consecutive year, the Blas School and Community Programme has been developed by High Life Highland's Creative Learning Leader to offer an exciting range of events and activities to inspire and involve children and young people in the annual Blas Festival.  The Blas Festival has established itself as the Highlands' premier Gaelic and traditional music festival and was inspired after a Highland Council visit to Cape Breton's Celtic Colours festival.   ... [full story]

The purpose of the new Artists’ Bursaries programme is to provide artists and other creative professionals time and resources to develop their practice.  Open to individuals at any stage in their career, these fixed bursaries will be for artists able to demonstrate a high level of quality, imagination and ambition in their work.   ... [full story]

An innovative exhibition from the Crafts Council, exploring craft and sound commences its Highland tour this weekend at the Iona Gallery, Kingussie.  Sound Matters considers the connections between craft practice and sound art.   ... [full story]

Beatrice Works Exhibition Sunday 9th June until Thursday 22nd August 2013 Temporary Exhibition Gallery An exhibition by Sutherland based artist Sue Jane Taylor.  During the exhibition we are hosting a family day with artist Sue Jane Taylor on Saturday 13th July.   ... [full story]

A new exhibition documents the construction and installation of the world’s first five megawatt offshore turbines near the Caithness coast.   Internationally acclaimed Sutherland artist Sue Jane Taylor, famed for her work with the offshore oil industry and Piper Alpha Memorial Sculpture, has turned her focus to renewable energy in her latest exhibition entitled Beatrice Works, which opens in Thurso on Saturday June 8th before travelling to Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy and Kirkwall.   ... [full story]

Following the brilliant performance by world-class clarinettist, Michael Collins, in Thurso on 1st June, North Highland Connections is following it with another concert in its Young Artistes series, featuring up and coming young professionals.   The concert, on 15th June, will be in the Drawing Room at Dunrobin Castle.   ... [full story]

Salsa Street Party in Thurso..   ... [full story]

Oscar-winning film-producer Barrie Osborne last week outlined his plans for developing a movie franchise based on the novel ‘The Heartstone Odyssey’.  If funding can be found, the third movie will be filmed in the Highlands and could bring hundreds of jobs and a significant legacy to the area through the creation of state-of-the-art post-production facilities.   ... [full story]

The Highland Culture Fund aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and visit by showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future.  In recognition of the significant contribution that the cultural sector makes to the continued economic and social prosperity of the area, The Highland Council has established a one-off grant fund of £100,000 to provide financial assistance to projects that support the on-going promotion of the Highlands and enhance the area’s programme of events, festivals and cultural activity.   ... [full story]