THE FIRST EDITORIAL of the new year should be forward-looking, and there is plenty to be enthusiastic about in the Highlands and Islands arts scene, nowhere more so than in the field of traditional music. Celtic Connections has drawn to a close in Glasgow with another strong representation of Highland talent, from 12 year old Graham MacKenzie of Inverness taking solo roles in Donald Shaw’s Harvest, through to world famous names like Aly Bain and Flora McNeill.

Sadly, though, there was no Phil Cunningham, who took compassionate leave following the tragic death of his brother, fiddler Johnny Cunningham, in December. A major talent lost, and our sympathies go out to the family.

Harvest itself was the kind of project which could well have overstretched itself, but the responses were highly enthusiastic, and underlined the good work that has gone on in the Feisean movement in the past decade and a half, as well as the growth in traditional music courses for both school and university age students. The Scottish Arts Council has slowly responded to that upsurge of grassroots interest with increases in funding for the traditional music, and the scene is buoyant in  many respects.

As ever, though, funding remains a controversial issue in other areas. The row over Scottish Opera’s future funding levels is now raging again, stoked by an opinion poll in The Herald which showed scant public support for the beleaguered company (and, interestingly, a high level for traditional music). While the Scottish Executive lays increasing emphasis on youth and youth involvement in the arts, TAG Theatre, arguably Scotland’s leading touring theatre company for young people, has its funding cut to the point where its newly appointed artistic director has fled back to England.

7:84, another famous name in Scottish theatre, and a long term supporter of Highland touring, is also faced with major cuts, although the current company is a different organisation from the one which John McGrath piloted into theatre history. John Byrne began his career in the theatre by designing sets for 7:84, and Eden Court Theatre will stage the Traverse Theatre’s anniversary production of his The Slab Boys Trilogy this month. Read our interview with the writer and artist.

Development projects are in prospect or underway all round the Highlands, including Eden Court Theatre, Lyth Arts Centre, the Moniack Mhor writer’s centre near Kiltarlity, An Lanntair in Stornoway, the Pier Arts Centre in Orkney, Mull Theatre, and this month’s featured venue, Hootananny’s in Inverness. Look for reports on progress in the months to come.

As usual, we will continue to post new material throughout the month, so do keep checking the site.

Kenny Mathieson
Commissioning Editor