Call for musicians to write piece inspired by Loch Leven

A new music contest has been launched calling on musicians to write something inspired by a Kinross-shire beauty spot.

Scottish Natural Heritage and Feis Rois, a group aiming to promote Gaelic music and culture, have joined together to run the‘In tune with nature’ competition.

They are asking musicians of all genres to show their love of nature by writing music inspired by Loch Leven nature reserve, amongst others.

Entries can be in any style of music, and may or may not include lyrics, although references to local culture, language and tradition are encouraged.

Neil Mitchell, Scottish Natural Heritage’s reserve manager at Loch Leven, said:“There’s so much to be inspired by on our nature reserves, particularly during the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020.

“We have such an amazing variety of marine wildlife and seabirds in Scotland, as well as stunning beaches, lochs and rivers.

“It’s hard not to be inspire by such beauty.

“Music and nature have so much in common - they’re both moving and give us so much pleasure.

“We can’t wait to hear what people come up with to make us see these special places in a new light.”

The competition will be judged by some of the country’s top musicians, including Julie Fowlis, Vic Galloway, Gill Maxwell and Karine Polwart, and the winners will receive a £500 cash prize and the chance to perform live throughout the year.

Each winner will also be able to make a film on the nature reserve with a professional filmmaker.

The competition opened on Sunday, March 1 and will close on Tuesday, March 31, with the winners being announced on Friday, June 26.