They say there is gold in the hills, but on one evening this September, there will be more than a sprinkling of gold dust on the stage of Fort William’s Nevis Centre when the Blas 2011 Festival comes to town.

As part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Lochaber High School, Blas festival organisers have invited a group of some of the school’s illustrious (allegedly) former pupils, who have spread Lochaber’s fame far and wide, to reminisce and rejoice in their collective and individual past. From the world of politics and sport they will arrive, with no super-injunctions to protect their identities. They will be accompanied by some of the best musicians to have emerged from Lochaber’s vibrant music scene to provide a heady concoction of wit, repartee and entertainment.

Amongst those joining the list of celebrities will be Catherine Macleod, Donald Park, Charles Kennedy, Duncan Shearer and a glittering array of local musical talent which will feature, along with others, the Lochaber High School pipe band.

Trying to keep all of this in line will be two compères whom are also former pupils: Hugh Dan MacLennan who will perform a Michael Parkinson-type role, with musician and shinty superstar (his own description) Gary Innes the Graeme Norton-style counterpoint.  Both have a well-known shared interest in shinty and have combined to head up an intriguing mix of nostalgia and fun the evening before the 2011 Camanachd Cup Final which this year links up with the Blas festival.

Hugh Dan MacLennan said: “It’s fascinating to look back and try and get a handle on the impact a school like Lochaber has made on the national stage, never mind its contribution to the local community. If you consider the impact made in national politics and broadcasting by people such as Charles Kennedy and Catherine Macleod (whose mother taught me in Caol Primary School incidentally), then in the sporting sphere footballers Donald Park and Duncan Shearer, it is simply remarkable. They will have plenty tales to tell and who knows we may have a surprise or two up our sleeves. Along with the superb set of musicians we have assembled, kit should be quite a night.”

This past year marks a significant milestone in the history of the Lochaber High School. Current Head teacher Jim Sutherland said: “When former pupils gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of the school it was quite apparent that former pupils were proud to have represented the school, both in terms of what they had achieved whilst there and what they had done thereafter, displaying all sorts of talents and performing with distinction in many areas far and wide.

The line-up for Lochaber Gold is representative of that range of achievement and those appearing will, I am sure, act as great motivators and inspiration to the current pupils at the school that they can similarly go on and perform at the highest level, whatever stage they chose to perform on.

Gary Innes’ role as musical director of the show is not without its risks as he is planning for the event presently not knowing whether he may be involved in the Camanachd Cup Final at Inverness with Fort William the next day. He said: “It would be hard to find another school which has produced such a fantastic set of musicians, especially since the 1990s when the whole thing seems to have taken off. We are all delighted to be able to contribute to this celebration of what we got in Lochaber High and I have no doubt that the work done by the Fèisean movement in Lochaber has been the driver which enabled us all to discover our roots and offer us the opportunity to develop our talents as musicians. Some of us don’t go so far back in the history of the school as others, but we are all part of it and this will be a great tribute to the school and what has gone on the area.”

Along with Gary will be Kaela Rowan, James Mackintosh, Ewen Henderson, Megan Henderson, Duncan Nicholson, Ingrid Henderson, Iain MacFarlane, Allan Henderson, Annie Grace, Angus Grant, Andrew Stevenson and Ross Martin.

Lochaber Gold is just one of a range of top quality musical events being staged by the 2011 Blas Festival organisers celebrating the rich heritage of the Highlands and Islands in the year of Scotland’s Islands.  Blas is now firmly established as the premier Gaelic festival celebrating Highland culture.

www.blas-festival.com

Source: Blas Festival