Eden Court’ s Under Canvas hits the road

Eden Court’s outdoor summer festival Under Canvas officially kicks off today and to mark the occasion, organisers announced the event will hit the road this summer, setting up stretch tents across the region that will offer music, entertainment and engagement activities from July 13-31.

Under Canvas is Eden Court’s flagship outdoor summer festival, offering a great line-up of contemporary folk, Scottish traditional music, world music DJs, jazz, blues and more, until September 30. But since not everyone can go to the Inverness theatre, Eden Court bosses decided to launch a touring version.

Having begun in 2018, this is the first time the festival has toured. Under Canvas Across The Highlands, delivered in partnership with The Highland Council, will visit Tain, Wick, Ullapool, Kyleakin, Ballachulish and Strontian.

Eden Court Chief

Executive Officer James Mackenzie-Blackman said: “Eden Court was founded as the arts venue for all the people of the Highlands. Touring Under Canvas is a testament that we take these founding principles very seriously. I can’t wait to set up our tent, deliver fantastic opportunities for children and young people to enjoy a summer of play and to host the very best Scottish musicians.”

Eden Court’s engagement team will work with local schools and agencies to identify the children and young people who’d most benefit from creative sessions. The tent aims to be a relaxed space for them to explore their creativity, and as the evenings draw in, it will play host to great musicians and food and drink vendors.

Throughout the tour, audiences can enjoy the Under Canvas House Band, featuring Ruairidh Gollan, Megan MacDonald and Calum McIlroy. Performing alongside them at each stop will be local guest artists, including Malin Lewis, Anna Massie, Ali Levack, Ingrid Henderson and Iain Macfarlane.

There will be two sessions per evening, at 6pm and 8pm, lasting 90 minutes each. The event is free, with a £5 reservation fee per person to secure a table, redeemable against food or drink. Tickets will go on sale later today.

The full tour dates are:

Tain: Tain Academy, Tues July 13-Wed July 14

Wick: Rosebank Playing Fields, in partnership with Lyth Arts Centre, Fri July 16-Sat July 17

Ullapool: Ullapool Primary School, Tues July 20-Wed July 21

Kyleakin: the green outside the Village Hall, Fri July 23-Sat July 24

Ballachulish: Village Hall, Tues July 27-Wed July 28

Strontian: Show Ground, Fri July 30-Sat July 31

Eden Court in Inverness can’t wait to welcome back festival-goers from today.