String quintet plan unique loch concert

A CONCERT like no other is set to grace the shores of Galloway next month. A special one-off show will see local string quintet The Galloway Agreement perform on the banks of Loch Ken at the Galloway Activity Centre — in front of a buoyant audience. Attendees of ‘On The Water’ are being invited to bring their own boat, kayak, motorboat, paddle board or canoe to take onto the loch and watch the bankside performance from. Furthermore, rentals will be available to book upon purchasing tickets, priced from £4. The Galloway Agreement comprises four of the region’s best-known trad musicians, with clarsachist and vocalist Wendy Stewart, nyckelharpa player Ruth Morris, fiddler Gavin Marwick and double bass player Stuart Macpherson taking to the stage. Joining them in a new lineup for the summer gig is cellist Beth Porter, one half of the Wigtown-based duo Bookshop Band. The artists all hail from Dumfries and Galloway and collaborated initially on Wendy’s album, ‘Folds in the Field’. They enjoyed playing together so much that they decided to form this quartet, with a more unusal instrumental line-up and choice of material than would typically be found in a string quartet. Their current repertoire is a mixture of original compositions and favourite tunes and songs from Scotland and other European traditions. The event has been organised by a partnership between the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT), the Loch Ken Trust and the Galloway Activity Centre, made possible through support by the Galloway Glens Scheme and Creative Scotland. [caption id="attachment_38837" align="alignnone" width="680"]

Loch Ken[/caption] Aidan Nicol, GCAT’s arts culture and heritage manager, said ahead of the event: “This will be our first live music event since we closed CatStrand for the first lockdown, we’re so delighted to be showcasing the talented musicians we have here in the region and making a splash with an event we hope will draw attention back to the vibrant arts scene locally as well as connecting people to our beautiful landscape. “I’m pleased to be offering this event as a playful return to live programming for GCAT in the Glenkens.” Barney Fryer, the Loch Ken Trust officer, added: “Loch Ken Trust is delighted to be working with GCAT to help reopen activities around Loch Ken in a really unique way. We are here to provide facilities and activities for everyone in our communities, whether you are looking for thrill-seeking adventures or something a little bit more sedate. Of course, this event brings together a bit of both, with our audience taking to the Loch to combine the beautiful melodies of The Galloway Agreement with the stunning views of Loch Ken that you only see from on the water!” The show will take place on Thursday June 10 from 6 pm. Pre-bookings are essential and can be made at www.gcat.scot/event/on-the-water/.