Free Fringe Music

Enjoy free music inspired by the tales and travels of the Lewis Chessmen.

Until Sunday 29 August

The National Museum of Scotland joins forces once again with Live Music Now Scotland to liven up your lunchtime.
Sit back and enjoy the music of some of Scotland’s most talented musicians – for free!

Drawing on the Lewis Chessmen for inspiration, our programme stretches from Norway to the shores of Lewis. From fiddles and flutes to ballads and brass, why not join us everyday during the festival for an uplifting lunchtime.

Each concert takes place at 12:45 and lasts 45 minutes, with the exception of the Fringe Finale, which takes place at 14:00 and lasts for 90 minutes.

Live music in action

To see what has been happening so far, click arrow left to view the video of Skerryvore in action and see some photos of Alba Brass performing last week here. 

Wednesday 25 August

Michael Haywood/Laura Grime – traditional duo

Michael Haywood and Laura Grime give the first performances of Uig Bay, their specially composed new piece of music to celebrate the coming together of the Lewis chessmen, inspired by the seascape of the Outer Hebrides and the sea crossings which took the chessmen to the sands at Uig.  Alongside it they play some of their favourite repertoire – Dark Island, traditional reels and Cool Cats, another of their own original compositions.

Thursday 26 August

Hoot – flute and harp duo

To celebrate the Lewis Chessmen exhibition, Hoot will present a beautiful programme combining Scottish traditional Music from the Western Isles with Scandinavian music.  This will include music by Grieg and Nielsen and one of Scotland's very finest composers, Edward McGuire.

Friday 27 August

Calum Stewart and Heiki Bourgault – traditional duo

Calum Stewart from Scotland and Heikki Bourgault from Brittany relish in the similarities while celebrating the differences between European, Nordic and Celtic traditional musics; with an excitement and urgency to create something more than just the collection of notes they play.
Instrumental stories together with interpretations of their own traditional musics and traditions discovered along their way; sentiments shared and journeys made across land, sea, borders and language.

Saturday 28 August

Sax Ecosse – saxophone quartet

Gaelic myths and legends, travels in Scandinavia and kings and queens of days gone by inspire the final programme celebrating the coming together of the Lewis Chessmen

Miniatures for Saxophone Quartet – Erland Von Koch
Leabhar Gabhala– S McWilliams
The Last Spring – Greig
Folk Song Selection – Greig
Chasing Sheep is Best Left to Shepherds – Michael Nyman 
Chorale – Jan W Morthenson
Hungarian Dances – Farka

Sunday 29 August

Fringe Finale Ceilidh
14:00 (90 mins)

Join popular local ceilidh band the Canongate Cadjers as we round off our annual Fringe programme in traditional style. All are welcome to come and clap along, learn some steps and enjoy a good old shindig!.