Oban musicians scale heights for charity

Five Oban musicians will scale Ben Nevis with their instruments and perform an acoustic song in memory of Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison.

The quintet will also be raising money for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a charity close to Scott’s heart, and The Scott Hutchison Fund, a mental health charity in memory of the late singer and local charity Martyn’s Monday Club.

The idea was the brainchild of Kevin Smith, a guitarist and songwriter from Oban.

Kevin said: ‘I am a huge Frightened Rabbit fan and had met Scott before – he was a really genuine, nice guy. His death really affected me as someone who has suffered from social anxiety disorder and depression. I really felt that I needed to do something to help others and raise awareness of the mental health problems that can affect us all.

‘Climbing Ben Nevis seemed like a great challenge. When talking to some friends, who I have met through music, they jumped at the chance to get involved, then someone suggested why don’t we bring our guitars to the top of the mountain and play a Frightened Rabbit song? It just seemed like the perfect way to pay tribute to Scott.’

The charity climb, which will take place on July 20, will be known as The MassHeight Organ Fight after one of Frightened Rabbit’s best known albums. Kevin will be joined by Oban musicians Kevin Irvine, Paul Storr and Andy Bruce.

The song they play will be chosen by the public and people are invited to leave their suggestions in the comments on the Facebook event page. Simply search for the Mass Height Organ Fight on facebook, you can also find details of how donate on the page.