Acclaimed singer and songwriter DOUGIE MACLEAN talks to the Arts Journal about his music, from the appeal of performing solo through to putting together his multimedia creation Rural Image for Celtic Connections earlier this year

MICHAEL EMANS, the Artistic Director of Rapture Theatre, tells the Arts Journal about the company as they prepare to embark on their first Highlands and Islands tour

MICHAEL DUKE is a successful writer and director for the theatre, but his work for the Edinburgh-based benchtours over the years has opened up a different methodology, as he explains ahead of the tour of his newest piece for the company, The Emperor’s Opera.

EILEEN BELL investigates Mull Theatre Company’s search for a new home, and looks ahead to their 2005 season

DAVE HARTLEY and ALISTAIR PEEBLES report on the latest developments in the refubrishment of the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness

PETER URPETH reports on the latest developments in the ongoing Sail Loft Project in Stornoway.

JULIE FOWLIS has been very busy of late, what with her own debut solo album, a new disc from Dòchas, and lots of touring and gigging. We caught up with her on an increasingly rare return to Dingwall, where she was catching her breath before Dòchas launched on an eagerly anticipated Tune Up tour with the Michael McGoldrick Band

The Arts Journal takes a look at the latest developments for DÒCHAS, one of the top young bands on the Scottish folk scene

The St Magnus Festival in Orkney is firmly established as a world class arts event. The Arts Journal looks ahead to this year’s festival in June

KATHY HUBBARD reports on some goings on in Shetland guaranteed to brighten up a hard-pressed administrator’s day.