A key part of last year’s events to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the Selkirk emigrations from Skye & Raasay to Prince Edward Island in Canada is to be performed in Inverness during this year’s Highland Festival.

Six musicians from the islands connected by this emigration were commissioned to write new music for the commemorations and this was performed to great acclaim during a tour of Skye and Raasay last summer. Highland Festival provided funding and support for this venture and so it is fitting that the music will be performed as part of this year’s festival programme.

‘An Tarsainn -The Crossing’  will be performed at Eden Court on 11 June 2004 and involve five of the composers - Steve Sharatt, & Roy Johnstone from PEI, Blair Douglas, Neil Campbell and Emma Swinnerton from Skye. They will be joined on stage by their fellow islanders John Lamond, Anne Martin, Angus MacKenzie and Eilidh MacLeod to perform the commissioned music. Also appearing will be a dance group led by Rae MacEachern, a celebrated dancer from Skye who, incidentally, learned a significant part of her repertoire while on secondment in PEI.

‘An Tarsainn -The Crossing’ and the other events which were organised for the 200^th anniversary were described as being the "The best of celebrations".  The Eden Court performance, offers the opportunity to delight in the gems which Atlantic Crossing has produced.  

But there’s more as the evening is a double bill and also includes ‘The Three Treasures’ - Na Tri Seudan, devised and directed by Hamish Moore. This is an exciting high-energy stage show involving piping dancing and singing – the three treasures - performed by a veritable galaxy of Scotland’s foremost musicians, including Allan MacDonald, Iain MacInnes, Mairi Campbell, Karen Steven, Fiona MacKenzie, Donal Brown, Gary West, Angus MacKenzie, Calum MacCrimmon, and Bruce Rankine .

This event in the Highland capital at the Highland 's foremost Arts Festival brings together some of the finest traditional performers in Scotland .  ‘The Crossing’ and the ‘Three Treasures’ transport audiences on a fascinating musical journey – be sure to travel with them….

What has been said………….

‘The Three Treasures’ performance at Celtic Connections. "Their symbolism is quietly powerful - dancers "sword dancing" across proscribed, hairless fiddle bows; pipers laying down their pipes to join the dancers and Piper Allan MacDonald's cameos bringing warmth and humanity, with his wonderfully natural Gaelic singing, and endearingly barbed humour".

‘An Tarsainn -The Crossing’ and the other events which were organised for the 200^th anniversary were described as being the "The best of celebrations. Audiences, witnessed an outstanding showcase of local talent. Over the past few years Skye has reached remarkable heights in the performing arts. Rarely has this fact been so generously displayed.”

An Tarsainn - The Crossing & Na Tri Seudan - The Three Treasures at  Eden Court Theatre, Inverness on  Friday 11 June  2004.  Tickets from01463 234234.