Lyth Arts Plan Spectacular September Show At Wick Harbour

11th January 2020

SCOTLAND'S YEAR OF COASTS AND WATERS 2020

Posted 06/01/20 by Charlotte Mountford

Happy New Year!

January marks the beginning of Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters 2020. This year, Scotland celebrates its Coasts and Waters with a year-long programme of events and activities which will shine a spotlight on these vital elements of our landscape. LAC is excited to be involved with events throughout the year that will culminate in September with a brand new festival at Wick Harbour taking place from 12th - 19th September 2020.

Northern Lights Festival will be a large-scale outdoor light and arts festival celebrating Wick Harbour and the Caithness Coastline. Taking over the harbour, a visually stunning projection show will combine with live pop-up performances in a unique event marking Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters 2020.

Produced and created by Lyth Arts Centre, the festival will be an immersive visual perspective exploring the heritage and history of the Far North of Scotland whilst honouring those who live and work here today. We will be collaborating with Moray based wild.bird who you might remember from our Winter Exhibition 2018, to create a spectacular show across some of the Harbour’s historic hotspots.

With day time happenings, nightly pop-up performances, coastal culinary treats and a special closing procession, Northern Lights Festival is sure to shine a light on this magical corner of Scotland.

In the lead up to the big event, we’ll be hosting workshops, events and talks across the county as well as special programmes with Orca Watch 2020 and the UK Surf Championships.

Watch this space for more details to be announced soon.

If you would like to know more, or have ideas or want to get involved, please contact us.

Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 begins 1 January 2020 and run until 31 December 2020. For more information visitscotland.com/ycw2020

Join the conversation #YCW2020

Northern Lights Festival is supported by EventScotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters Events Fund and SSE Caithness Beatrice Community Fund.

In 2020, Scotland will be celebrating its Year of Coasts & Waters through a year-long programme of exciting events, festivals and activities that everyone can get involved in. From historic harbours and winding waterways, to sweeping coastlines, the very best in seafood, whisky, wildlife and wellness - Scotland's reputation for its rich natural and cultural heritage is one not to be missed.

Water is a huge part of Scotland's landscapes and is the life-blood that keeps our valleys green and rivers flowing. Many of our much-loved attractions and natural features have been sculpted by the sheer force of water alone and they are a real sight to see up close, so what are you waiting for?

Scotland’s natural environment is out of this world. Picture immaculate structures and formations poking out of the coastline and withstanding the force and pressure of the powerful waves around them. Bow Fiddle Rock in Moray, Yesnaby Stack in Orkney, and Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa are just a few of the coastal formations you can uncover.

Elsewhere, Scotland features hundreds of glittering lochs in all nooks and crannies of the country. From the infamous Loch Ness just south of Inverness, and the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, to the beautiful Loch Maree in Kinlochewe, and the royal Loch Muick in Aberdeenshire, there are plenty for you to uncover.

Taste the salt in the wind, feel the crisp sea air on your face, and listen to the soothing sounds of seabirds and crashing waves as you wander along one of Scotland’s stunning beaches. There are hundreds of beaches, bays, harbours and sands across Scotland that you can explore, all of which are set to impress. Some of the best beaches in Scotland include Ayr Beach on the west coast, Achnahaird Beach on the north west coast, Seacliff Beach in East Lothian, and Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders.

If you keep your eyes peeled, you can spot hundreds of species of wildlife across the country. From the elusive pine marten and fluffy red squirrels in the many forests, to seals and dolphins off the coasts, and sea eagles soaring above you, there are plenty to see.

Scotland is overflowing with history, culture and heritage, from Neolithic villages, to 18th century battlefields, there are hundreds of attractions and locations to explore across the country. Venture on Scotland’s Castle Trail where you can uncover 19 of Aberdeenshire’s most famous and dramatic castles, including Dunnottar Castle on the coast, the grand Castle Fraser, and the magnificent Duff House. Elsewhere, you can explore ancient artefacts, precious paintings and a whole world of fine art at the many galleries and museums that Scotland boasts. From exploring the history of the Highlands at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore, to uncovering intricate Scottish art at the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow, there is plenty to get involved in.

Scotland wouldn’t be Scotland without a little adventure and activity. Scotland is the Home of Golf and boasts prestigious and ancient courses across the country, alongside featuring lands and coastlines that are made for adrenaline-pumping adventures. From world-class watersports, and mountain biking down rugged terrain, to aqualining, and scaling the towering heights of the Cairngorms, Scotland’s magnificent great outdoors are endless.

Whisky, or Uisge Beatha in Scottish Gaelic, is a very popular part of Scotland’s culture. In our distilleries, skilled distillers take pure water from crystal-clear streams, and golden barely from the fields, and transform them into the delectable spirits we know and love today. There are over 100 active distilleries in Scotland, including Balblair in Ardmore, Glenmorangie, and Caol Ila Distillery on the Isle of Islay, to name a few.

With hundreds of seaside towns, harbours and ports dotted around the country, Scotland boasts delectable seafood dishes to try. Taste freshly caught fish, such as smoked mackerel or salmon, at the many local farmers’ markets that bring together the area’s top producers. You can even head off on Scotland’s Seafood Trail which encompasses spectacular coastal scenery alongside seafoodie delights to sample at a variety of waterfront cafes and restaurants across Scotland.

Head to Scotland to explore more in our Year of Coasts & Waters in 2020.