Internationally acclaimed Scots singer songwriter Dougie MacLean is to make special solo appearances in four of The Highland Council’s new community theatres throughout the Highlands.

The concerts will take place in the Craigmonie Centre, Glenurquhart (Friday 6^th May); Fortrose Community Theatre, Fortrose (Saturday 7^th May); Macphail Centre, Ullapool (Friday 13^th May); and the Sunart Centre, Strontian (Saturday 14^th May).

Dougie MacLean has been described as "Scotland’s finest living Songwriter-Composer". He has toured the world from his base in Perthshire, achieving international recognition and acclaim through performances at many prestigious festivals and venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall.

MacLean’s concert tour is part of a year round programme of events brought to new community schools throughout the Highlands by The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service.

"MacLean is a performer of extraordinary warmth and ease…he has a knack for turning the experiences of his own life into something universally understood, as well as a gift for bestowing each with just the right melody." (SCOTSMAN).

MacLean is probably best known for his songs ‘Caledonia’, ‘Ready for the Storm’ and ‘Turning Away’ and for his music used in the 20^th Century Fox film ‘The Last of the Mohicans’. He has been featured in three BBC music documentaries ‘The Land-Songs of Dougie MacLean’, ‘SongRoads’ and ‘Clann na Mara’ (Children of the Sea). His last music commission ‘Perthshire Amber’ has had five major performances to date and was described by the HERALD as….

"…an irresistible tapestry of tunes, rhythms, instrumental and orchestral colours, harmonies and textures."

Information on the concerts can be obtained from the venues – Strontian 01397 709228 – www.sunartcentre.org; Glenurquhart 01456 459224, Fortrose 01381 621252 and Ullapool 01854 613336. Tickets for the Strontian and Glenurquhart concerts can also be purchased online at the new Hi-Arts online booking service www.thebooth.co.uk.

For more information, photographs and/or interview please contact Jennifer or Melanie at Dougie MacLean’s office tel: 01350 724281, e-mail: admin@dunkeld.co.uk, website: www.dougiemaclean.com.

For further information please contact: Eoghan Carmichael, Centre Development Co-Ordinator, Àrainn Shuaineirt (The Sunart Centre), Strontian, Acharacle PH36 4JA, Tel: 01397 709228, Email: eoghan.carmichael@highland.gov.uk Visit our website at www.sunartcentre.org

Date Last updated : 09/05/05