One of Scotland’s most popular musicians is to perform in Arbroath as part of the Bell Rock Lighthouse 200th anniversary celebrations, in what is being described as a coup for the town.
Dougie MacLean will perform at the Webster Memorial Theatre on May 28 as an addition to the Year of the Light programme.
Arbroath councillor Donald Morrison said, “It’s another coup for the Year of the Light and the programme of celebrations continues to go from strength to strength.
“I was standing next to Councillor Jim Millar at the fireworks display that launched the 200th anniversary and although both of us are in opposition in chamber, we stood together in celebration as did thousands of other people, and it has just taken off since.
“It’s absolutely superb and fantastic that so many visitors are being encouraged to come to Arbroath. Arbroath has much to offer, from the world-renowned smokie, historical and natural landmarks. We want people to come to Arbroath, to enjoy the Year of the Light celebrations and see enough to bring them back year after year.
“Getting Dougie MacLean to perform should be seen as a real source of celebration. He’s a performer who is highly regarded worldwide and it’s going to be fantastic to have him in Arbroath.Year of Light”The Year of the Light committee should be congratulated for getting such a big name on the programme.”
The Year of the Light celebrates one of the world’s greatest feats of engineering, the Bell Rock Lighthouse.
Built by Robert Stevenson and completed in 1811, the lighthouse has saved thousands of lives by alerting vessels to the deadly rocks just below the surface of the water 11 miles out from Arbroath Harbour.
The bicentenary celebrations centre on Arbroath, home to many of the early 19th century tradesmen, labourers and engineers who were involved in the four-year construction of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, and the lighthouse keepers who manned it.
Throughout the year, Arbroath and Area Partnership’s Year of the Light steering committee, which is supported by the Arbroath and Area Local Community Planning Team, has planned a series of events including a service in memory of all those who have lost their lives on the Bell Rock, a yacht regatta, boat trips around the lighthouse and an entertaining selection of concerts, music and talks.
It is a community-led event and the Year of the Light steering committee is supported by the local community planning team, with funding from a variety of sources, including the Angus and Dundee Tourism Partnership.