A large industrial truck which transforms into a mini theatre, a celebration of Japanese Taiko drumming and a spectacular street carnival are among the main highlights as behind the scenes preparations get underway for this year's Carrbridge Live Festival. The annual event, which runs from Saturday September 15 to Sunday September 23, provides a showcase of traditional and contemporary culture with an eclectic combination of live music, theatre and arts along with outdoor activities.

The main programme is set to get off to a memorable start as Benchtours Theatre Company arrive in the village with their theatre StageTruck to transport the audience into the film-noir world of The Psychic Detective providing 45 minutes of drama, glamour, excitement, media illusions and theatrical tricks.

With only limited seating available, there will be two performances of the darkly comic thriller with tickets already in hot demand. Tickets are also being snapped up for The Way of the Drum with the audience invited to experience the thundering and powerful world of traditional Japanese Taiko drumming in a concert which promises to be both visually and aurally spellbinding.

The programme continues on through the week with the ever popular Mike Maran returning to Carrbridge with his much heralded production of Picasso & Me and story which unfolds to an original soundtrack composed by Karen Wimhurst and all the passion and charm that the master actor come storyteller packs into his performances.

The festival is organised by Carrbridge Commmunity Arts whose co-ordinator, Linda Jolly explained that the main aim this year had been to build on past success and continue to try and create an event which is unique to Carrbridge.

"When we first started out, this was one of the first festival's of its kind in the area and, despite the lack of proper funding resources, we have always tried to create something a bit different and add innovative new elements to the programme," she said.

Both traditional and contemporary music has always been very much at the heart of the Carrbridge Live Festival and this year there is everything from lunchtime jazz with the North Coast Jazz band to a special concert with Union Hill led by one of Scotland's finest and most celebrated fiddle players, Duncan Chisholm teaming up with two of the Blazin' Fiddle's top musicians Marc Clements and Iain MacFarlane. As well as the main programme, there are a number of fringe events from the premiere of Hag of the Bridge - an exciting mystery thriller produced by a talented team of local young film makers and starring a local cast - to samba drum and brass workshops, Zenwing's puppet show and workshop and a young bands open stage including a special visit by the Portsoy Skippers with their stunning synchronised skipping display. There is also the rare chance to see a wonderful exhibition of antique accordions, some dating back to 1850, from a collection of more than 200 owned by accordion collector, Caroline Hunt, an open pairs competition at Carrbridge Golf Club, a ranger guided walk and T-in-the-Hall, to which everyone is welcome, hosted by members of Duthil Church.

The list of other events over the nine days include art workshops and storytelling along with the annual Carrbridge Live carnival led by the Carrbridge based samba drum and brass band, Carrumba and the 12-piece Edinburgh based band, Orkestra del Sol taking the stage for a blazing finale with the outdoor performance specialists, te-Pooka.

This year's Carrbridge Live Festival is supported by the Scottish Arts Council, Highland 2007, the year of Highland Culture, Carrbridge Community Council, Carrbridge Tourist Association and HIE Inverness and East Highland.

Tickets for all the main events can be booked at the Old Bakery Coffee Shop, Carrbridge or by contacting the Carrbridge Community Arts Ticket Line on Tel: 01479 841211. Tickets can also be purchased online at
www.thebooth.co.uk.  More information and details of the full programme can be found on the Carrbridge website at www.carrbridge.com