One of Scotland’s most talented Gaelic musicians is returning to centre stage at this year’s Highland Military Tattoo.
Singer James Graham, from Lochinver in Assynt, is again joining the cast of the Tattoo at Fort George in September after wowing audiences last year.
At last year’s Tattoo, to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Loos, Mr Graham recreated the role of Captain Philip Christison, singing “March of the Cameron Men” in Gaelic to rally his soldiers in the trenches.
This year Mr Graham will be taking part in a vignette to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, singing the famous Gaelic love song An Eala Bhàn (The White Swan), which was composed by Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna from North Uist in the trenches during the battle.
Mr Graham was the first ever Gaelic singer, and man, to win the Young Traditional Musician of the Year award in 2004, and studied Gaelic song under well-respected singer and tradition bearer, Kenna Campbell, at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland after taking an interest in singing whilst at Lochinver Primary School.
Also a talented piper who was taught by PM Norman Gillies at Ullapool High School, he has recorded two successful solo albums and is a member of the popular folk band, Cruinn. He currently works with An Comunn Gàidhealach, organisers of the Royal National Mòd.
Tattoo Director Major General Seymour Monro said: “James Graham is one of the top Gaelic musicians around and we are thrilled that he is returning to Fort George for what I’m sure will be another superb performance. Our line-up this year just keeps getting better and better and guarantees a fantastic show for our audiences.”
This year’s Tattoo runs each evening from Friday 9 September to Sunday September 11, with a matinee performance on Saturday September 10.
