Rachel Newton played for Highland Hospice residents before Under Canvas gig.
Under Canvas kicked off its second year on the lawn at Eden Court last week. This summer will see some of Scotland’s leading traditional musicians, as well as outstanding local talent across a range of genres, performing through to Sunday 18th August. Today, Rachel Newton played a pro-bono set for the residents at the Highland Hospice on Bishops Road, before her early evening show in the stunning tent.
Rachel Newton is a beautiful singer and harp player who was named BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year 2017. Rachel lives in Glasgow, but has Highland connections in that her mother is from Achiltibuie.
Once again, Eden Court has joined forces with Fèis Rois who have programmed live traditional music Under Canvas from 5.30pm – 10.30pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, as well as a participatory session on Saturday afternoons and a ceilidh on Saturday evenings from 8pm.
Fèis Rois Chief Executive, Fiona Dalgetty said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Eden Court on Under Canvas. It contributes to the development of cultural tourism in the city by providing visitors with the opportunity to hear high quality traditional music that they might not otherwise come across. This project is a natural progression from our annual Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail. It is wonderful to see professional artists, such as Rachel Newton who, as teenagers, were participants on our Ceilidh Trail programme, now making a name for themselves in the Scottish music industry and performing on stages such as this.”
Rachel Newton said: “I’m delighted to be visiting the Highland Hospice to perform some songs with the harp. It’s lovely to be able to bring live music to people who might not be able to access it.”
Charge Nurse at Highland Hospice, Susan Ross said: “It was a great therapeutic experience.”
Under Canvas is on every day from 4.30pm until Sunday 18 August. Other artists throughout the festival will take Under Canvas to Eden Court’s neighbours at the hospice as part of a series of gigs.