The coal miner’s grandson on a mission to bring high arts back to his roots

He has worked with some of the greatest musicians and most esteemed orchestras in the world, but James MacMillan gets as much satisfaction collaborating with community groups at home in Ayrshire.

The composer established the Cumnock Tryst in 2013 and the festival returns this week for four days of events.

Musicians like The Ruth Naomi Floyd Jazz Quartet will fly in from Philadelphia and Latvia’s Arta Arnicane will perform, as will talents from closer to home such as Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham.

“The great success story for me is we’re putting down roots deeper and deeper into the community. Quite a few local groups are coming together with professionals, like the A Musical Celebration Of The Coalfields project and Blue Sky Counterpoint, featuring pupils from Hillside Primary in Cumnock,” said MacMillan, whose coal miner grandfather gave him his love of music.

“High art festivals usually take place in leafier places with a bit more money but it doesn’t matter – people in the East Ayrshire community deserves this art provision the same as everyone else and I knew they would participate wholeheartedly.”