Highland musicians Anna Massie and Lauren McColl tune up for Killearnan Church concert
TWO renowned Highland musicians will team up this weekend to play their part saving a Black Isle church.
Performers Lauren MacColl and Anna Massie are hosting the fundraising afternoon concert at Killearnan Parish Church on Sunday (September 28) from 3pm -5pm.
This fundraiser supports the Kirk at Killearnan initiative formed by the Save Killearnan Church working group in response to the impending closure and sale by the Church of Scotland.
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Known for their work with RANT and Blazin’ Fiddles amongst others, the duo’s music is rooted in Highland traditions and influenced by two decades of collaboration with musicians from across the globe.
The acoustic performance on fiddle and guitar promises a light-hearted collection of tunes, songs and stories from their most recent releases. Organisers say the intimate setting of this historic church is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in their company.
The vision is to promote the church as a place of historic interest, as well as a space for larger events such as weddings, funerals, musical events, art fairs, concerts, celebrations and continued worship.
Over the past few months there have been several successful fundraising events, including an art sale, strawberry teas and a wine tasting event.
Killearnan Parish Church dates from the 13th century, and in addition to many interesting gravestones one of the oldest complete morthouses in the north of Scotland is located on the east side of the graveyard.
A spokesperson for the group said: “These historic buildings are our heritage and our identity, which will be lost forever if we don’t value them. They deserve to be maintained in good condition in order to be fully appreciated and enjoyed by all, now and in the future.”
They also quoted the words of the late architect and academic Professor Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith, who said: “It used to be the job of the churches to save people; now it is the job of the people to save churches”.