A performance featuring silent black and white films of Scottish islands accompanied by live music is set to tour Germany and Estonia.

The Island Tapes features Celtic guitar and Gaelic song with a backdrop of 1920s and 1930s footage from the Scottish Screen Archive, featuring residents of Skye, Orkney, Shetland, St Kilda and Harris. The performance will tour Germany in October and Estonia in November with the support of the British Council.

The Island Tapes premiered at Celtic Connections 2006, where it was seen by international music promoters invited by the British Council. The performance features musicians David Allison, Allan Neave and Ian Melrose alongside singer Alyth McCormack.

Composer and musician David Allison said: “The Island Tapes turned out to be everything we hoped it would be at the premier at Celtic Connections. The silent films from the 20’s and 30’s made people laugh, but also touched them, and the music seemed to strike a chord too. We are looking forward to seeing the reactions of audiences in Europe.”

Judith Elliott, Arts Projects Manager for British Council Scotland said: “The issues of migration, identity and language explored in The Island Tapes are pertinent, not only in Scotland, but also across the rest of Europe. This unique blend of moving image and specially devised live music demonstrate to international audiences the vibrancy of contemporary Scottish performing arts.”

The Island Tapes will tour Germany from 24-29 October and Estonia on 22 November.

There will be a performance at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Inverness on 11 November.