MSP Tavish Scott has tabled a Motion congratulating Shetland Arts and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) on their successful partnership working together on Out and About Week in Shetland 1st – 5th March: five days of rehearsals and performances, education and community activities, and workshops and masterclasses across the Islands.

The Motion reads: Parliament congratulates Shetland Arts and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for their collaborative “Out and About in Shetland” tour involving 24 separate musical, cultural and educational events between 1-5th March including The Sunday Symphony featuring the premiere of Fair Isles’ Chris Stout RSNO commissioned Tingaholm conducted by David Danzmayr; notes that these events were part of the BBC and London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Music Nation; recognises that this was the first visit by RSNO to Shetland for 21 years and urges a quick return, and expresses its gratitude to sponsors, organisers, musicians and Shetlanders who made the series of events so worthwhile.

The Motion was supported by Jean Urquhart, Patricia Ferguson, Dennis Robertson, Drew Smith, Liam McArthur, Jim Hume, Jamie McGrigor, Nanette Milne, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, David Stewart, Colin Beattie, Richard Lyle, Kevin Stewart, Mike MacKenzie, Annabelle Ewing, Jackie Baillie, Jamie Hepburn, Sandra White, Linda Fabiani, Maureen Watt and Jim Eadie.

Speaking about the RSNO’s visit to Shetland Tavish Scott added: “The RSNO’s visit to Shetland was well worth the wait.  Shetlanders of all different ages, on many different islands have benefited from this innovative tour.  It was engaging, inspiring and exciting to see such talent and I know the visit will have been especially appreciated by many talented local musicians throughout the isles.  I greatly enjoyed Sunday’s Clickimin concert which was an outstanding variety of classical music and the premiere of Chris Stout’s wonderful work.”

Gwilym Gibbons, Director of Shetland Arts said: “It’s rare for an arts event to be recognised in Parliament and we are absolutely delighted with this Motion.”