Thousands of music fans are to descend on the area as the increasingly popular Perthshire Amber festival returns for its seventh year.
Phil Cunningham, Kris Drever, John McCusker, Heidi Talbot, again at the concert hall, on Saturday, November 5.
Organisers believe the festival offers a winning combination of fantastic music, stunning scenery and a special selection of venues, including castles and concert halls, ancient Dunkeld Cathedral and the replica iron age crannog.
The venues have all been carefully hand-picked by festival director Jenny MacLean, who said, “There is something so special about Perthshire in autumn time and I chose these venues carefully with the performers and the audience very much in mind.
“It’s so important to Dougie and I that we create the right atmosphere for each event, because that’s one of the ingredients that makes Perthshire Amber unique.”
This year marks the festival hub’s move south from Pitlochry.
Jenny said, “We are delighted to be moving the festival hub to Dunkeld as the special concert venues we’ve chosen just seem to radiate out from it.
“Rest assured there’ll still be a wealth of activity going on in and around Pitlochry, with great concerts at the Pitlochry Town Hall and at Edradour.
“We’re taking over the whole of the Royal Dunkeld Hotel with our admin base, session bars and restaurant on the ground floor with the Open Mic, Cabaret Amber and the Big Knit well housed in its spacious upstairs hall and lounge.
“The local businesses have been really supportive and are thrilled at the prospect of the large number of visitors,” she added.
“It’s anticipated that some events will sell out very quickly and though programming Perth Concert Hall as a venue for two very special concerts gives us some extra capacity, we’re urging early booking to avoid disappointment.”
They will flock to see the array of top international acts announced by event organisers Jenny MacLean and acclaimed Scottish singer, songwriter and composer Dougie MacLean.
Highlights will include rising star Emily Smith, Jimmie McGregor, Phil Cunningham, Archie Fisher and a host of stars from Scotland’s folk and traditional scenes, as well as Beoga from Ireland, Eliza Lynn from the USA and Canadian Buddy MacDonald, all performing alongside Dougie.
The 10-day festival will take place from October 28 to November 6 in venues throughout Perthshire and for the first time will move its hub from Pitlochry to Dunkeld.
It began in 2005 as a weekend of music and has grown to become an important part of Scotland’s musical calendar.
Last year’s event contributed over half a million pounds to the local economy and drew almost 7000 visitors from 20 different countries to Perthshire. Organisers were left stunned by the recession-busting growth in ticket sales but are daring to hope this year could be even bigger.For full details of the line-up visit www.perthshireamber.com, where tickets can also be booked. Alternatively, call the ticket hotline on 01350 724 281. To book accommodation during the festival, go to www.visitscotland.com.This year is particularly special for Dougie MacLean as he recently received two prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame and an OBE in the New Year honours list.
Dougie is internationally renowned for his song Caledonia, his music for the film Last of the Mohicans and performances worldwide.
“This year looks like being a really special one for me,” he said. “I’ve got some great concerts and festivals during the summer and I’m really looking forward to playing with many dear friends and greatly talented musicians at Perthshire Amber later this year.
“I can’t wait to welcome everyone, from near and far, to beautiful autumnal Perthshire once again.”
Among the highlights of the festival will be a series of events at which Dougie will be joined by some big-name friends.
Blair Castle plays host to Dougie and Archie Fisher on Monday, October 31, for The Legends Concert while the Cathedral Concert on Thursday, November 3, sees Dougie joined by the Jenna Reid Trio, Greg Lawson and Pete Garnett in Dunkeld Cathedral.
The following day Perth Concert Hall will host Dougie MacLean with Strings and Choirs as he presents some of his classic songs and his instrumental composition Perthshire Amber in the company of InChorus and the Lothian and Borders Police Choir. Finally, Dougie MacLean with Friends will see him joined by Moishe’s Bagel, Jimmie MacGregor,