NDT2 are widely regarded as the most exciting young dance company in the world, and pay a rare visit to Inverness this month. ANDREA MUIR discovers the demanding requirements expected from the young stars of the company.

We asked JOHN DURNIN, the new artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, for his manifesto for the theatre.

ALAN WILKINS’ first play, The Nest, explores the characters and interactions between five hill walkers stranded by storm in a remote bothy in the west Highlands. The playwright describes the genesis of the play, which is touring Highland venues in the Traverse Theatre’s production this month.

Venue profile: Pitlochry Festival Theatre

RICHARD FINDLAY is the chairman of the new National Theatre of Scotland, and he is on a mission to hear your views on where the infant organisation needs to go. On the eve of the first of his open sessions in the Highlands and Islands, he tells KENNY MATHIESON why he is coming here.

DAVE ANDERSON tells Kenny Mathieson how Hoagy Carmichael’s autobiography provided the inspiration for his latest one-man touring show dedicated to the great American songwriter.

Venue profile: An Lanntair, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

The Arts Journal interviews writer and painter, JOHN BYRNE

As Mull Theatre company prepare to leave their tiny base at Dervaig, director ALASDAIR McCRONE writes an open letter in which he describes their hopes and plans for a new theatre in Tobermory, and invites support and feedback for the project

GEORGE GUNN casts a skeptical eye over the role of the proposed Scottish National Theatre, and suggests that the work of W B Yeats in Ireland and the identity and insight of Highland experience can provide a path for a genuine National Theatre.