Songs of Mountain and Glen

Orain nam Beann's nan Gleann

An evening of song with renowned Gaelic singer Anne Lorne Gillies, accompanied by Rhona MacKay on clarsach.

The duo are joined by Coisir Og Lochabair (choir of combined Fort William primary schools), in an evening of uplifting song celebrating mountain landscapes and Lochaber's special place in the history of the Highlands. The haunting beauty of Gaelic song perfectly captures the mood of the mountains and you definitely don't need to understand Gaelic to appreciate this music. Come along and feel the goosebumps for yourself!

Dr Anne Lorne Gillies is a fluent Gaelic speaker who combines classical musical training with a deep understanding of Scottish musical, historical and literary tradition. Raised on a croft in Argyll, she won the Gold Medal for singing at the National Mòd when only 17, then went on to read Celtic and English at Edinburgh University, and to work part-time in the School of Scottish Studies. Since the 1980s Anne has also been immersed in the urgent struggle to reverse the decline of the Gaelic language in Scotland, becoming a leader in the movement for Gaelic medium education. A published writer in both English and Gaelic, Anne also runs a multi-media production company with her husband, Kevin Bree.

Anne was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Edinburgh (1993) in recognition of her contribution to Gaelic culture.

This evening is brought to the festival by 'Lochaber Music for All', an initiative which aims to give the people of the area the opportunity to hear all kinds of music played by some of the UK's top performers.

Wednesday 21st February, Nevis Centre Festival Theatre, 7-10pm, £6/£2 (free to LMFA members)