Scotland on Tour concert coming to West Barns

More than 120 artists are set to perform at more than 100 venues across the country over the next 12 months.

Scotland on Tour will feature hundreds of concerts at venues ranging from arts centres and town halls to community venues, including West Barns Village Hall.

Alan Gray, booking co-ordinator at the hall, was looking forward to the concert series, which opens with Bancroft and Lyne on April 23.

He said: “It’s been something I have had a vision for for quite a number of years. We first had a conversation with the guys behind Scotland on Tour about two years ago. This has been the fulfilment of a vision for the village hall to be holding real, live music.”

The national project, which has been created and managed by Active Events, was made possible by £750,000 of Scottish Government backing and will focus on increasing the number of opportunities to showcase and enjoy live music.

A concert is planned in West Barns each month, from April through to November.

Roseanne Reid performs on May 28, with Rowan Leslie visiting the village on June 25 and Kirsten Adamson stopping off on July 23.

On August 27, Scots Baroque come to the village hall, before Firelight Trio perform on September 24.

Adam Holms plays on October 22, with Mist and Wing wrapping up the series on November 26.

Mr Gray stressed it had been a difficult time for professional musicians, with the Covid-19 pandemic seeing live music sidelined for lengthy periods.

He said: “This is their career. They have not had an opportunity to perform over the last couple of years in venues.

“It is a part of the musical economy what we are doing at West Barns and across Scotland.”

The concerts will be held in the recently refurbished hall, which dates back to 1901.

Work was approved in 2020 and thousands of pounds have been spent on the kitchen, toilets and parking at the building.

Tickets for the shows are on sale now at scotlandontour.com