SCO in the Highlands

The SCO's second tour of the summer saw the Orchestra perform in Dunblane, Findhorn and Invermoriston.  Ann Monfries, SCO Marketing Director, writes...

Well, weather-wise it was possibly one of the least seasonal Highlands Tours we’ve done recently – the temperature dipped to 5 degrees several times on the road to Findhorn, and the rain fell and fell… but that didn’t stop wonderfully enthusiastic audiences joining us in Dunblane Cathedral, Findhorn and Invermoriston!

Sheltering from the deluge in Invermoriston, I asked violist Simon Rawson how the tour had been for him.

He had, he said, really enjoyed performing in Dunblane Cathedral – the first time the Orchestra has performed there for about 15 years:  “It’s a wonderful space, with a good acoustic and a real sense of occasion.”  The audience seemed to agree – we received countless requests to come back soon from happy music–lovers as they headed home following the all-Mozart programme, directed by SCO Associate Artist Alexander Janiczek.  And the local pie shop – Bennett’s – did great business as the musicians feasted on their tasty fare before the concert.

Simon also commented on the amazing reception which the Orchestra always receives at the Universal Hall in Findhorn: it has to be one of the most vocally appreciative audiences in the country!  He had been chatting to a young guy who was making an almost-two hour round trip to see the concert – luckily he ‘loved it’!

SCO Flautists enjoy a picnic (indoors) at Findhorn prior to the concert at Universal Hall.

As I headed off to greet our audience and sell programmes, I asked Simon what he most enjoyed about going on tour with the Orchestra in Scotland.  Renowned for his wonderfully dry sense of humour – he smiled and said, “The weather!”

A walker in waterproofs.

A wonderfully warm welcome in Invermoriston - despite the rain (and the midgies)! & Adrian Bornet, Peter Franks and Nikita Naumov take shelter from the rain outside Glenmoriston Millennium Hall.

Why did the pheasant cross the road...?

© Photographs by Ann Monfries.