Free music at Whiting Bay Art Gallery

Did anyone know that Saturday, September 14th is National Chamber Music Day? No, neither did we. But Creative Scotland did, and they have master-minded an inspired scheme to send small groups of players all over Scotland, to play with no charge at unexpected places. Arran is delighted to receive the Duo Concertante, consisting of two beautiful girls called Sharon Dowsett and Adele Neilson who play flute and guitar. They formed the Duo in 2007 whilst studying music performance at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and are superbly talented. When they come to Arran they will be at the unexpected venue of the Art Gallery in Whiting Bay. It is not of course a concert hall – but this isn’t a concert. It’s just an informal sample of what fun small-group music can be.

Sharon and Adele will be playing from lunchtime onwards. You can wander in, look at some pictures and sculpture (Tim Pomeroy’s utterly adorable bronze of a sleeping baby is well worth a visit on its own) and wander out again. Or explore the lovely little courtyard at the rear of the gallery, and still hear the music while surrounded by ferns and flowers. Stay as long as you want, leave when you want. For anyone who doesn’t know the gallery, if you’re coming into Whiting Bay from the Lamlash direction, drive past the parking square (or park there if the village looks busy) and walk on past a few houses until you come to the gallery on your right, beside County Carpets. The flute and guitar duo will be playing there for two or three hours. It all sounds extremely enjoyable – and it costs absolutely nothing.