SCO Strings' Highland Fling

The SCO Strings embarked on a tour of the Highlands which included cake, dolphins and some virtuosic playing from Guest Director Florian Donderer. Zoë Westwood, SCO Marketing and Communications Manager, writes…

Killin was the first stop on our tour and also the first time the SCO had performed in the town. Rachel Smith, first violin (and master baker), made a rosemary, olive oil and chocolate cake for the first rehearsal. It was delicious!

	SCO cellist Eric de Witt and Rachel Smith, first violin, take a break from rehearsal.

There was quite a buzz at the Killin concert, with people coming from miles around to hear the performance. The SCO Strings were in fine fettle, starting the programme with a rousing performance of Veress' Four Transylvanian Dances - so good that many audience members asked for a recording (alas, we don't have one yet).

The following day we headed to Fortrose, stopping at Fortingall for a glimpse at the oldest tree in Europe.

	SCO players and staff at Fortingall.

A further pit stop near Pitlochry allowed us a visit to the Queen's View for a beautiful sight of Loch Tummel.

	SCO Concerts & Projects Manager, Tammo Schülke, and SCO Marketing & Communications Manager, Zoë Westwood, take in the view at Loch Tummel.

Once in Fortrose, SCO Strings took advantage of the sunny weather to head to Chanonry point for a glimpse of the dolphins. Unfortunately, we didn't see any...

	Blue sky at last! SCO Cellist Donald Gillan and SCO First Violinist Aisling O'Dea search for dolphins.		SCO Violist Brian Schiele looks out to sea in the hope of spotting dolphins.

The concert in Fortrose went splendidly, the crowd enjoying Director Florian Donderer's charm as he introduced the programme. The following day we had one last chance to see some dolphins…

Success! We catch sight of dolphins meters from the shore, hunting fish and playing in the waves.

Finally, SCO Strings headed to Ullapool where we met the warmest audience yet. Many had travelled by boat to see the concert and were rewarded with Director Florian Donderer's skill and humour as he popped the odd folk line into his cadenzas while giving a fantastic performance of Haydn's Violin Concerto in C. A great way to finish a fabulous tour!

Images © Zoë Westwood