A group of the most prestigious Gaelic male singers in Scotland are to stage a number of unique concerts in the Highlands that will include a special commemoration of Gaels fighting in Iraq.

Na Seòid, lead by music director Mary Ann Kennedy, is a special collaboration which will see four concerts performed in a variety of Highland venues. One of the musical highlights will be a rendition of ‘Na Gaidheal am Basra’ – The Gaels in Basra.

The song was written by this year’s Trad Gold Medallist at the National Mod Tormod MacArthur, one of the members of Na Seòid. He said: “I came up with the Basra song after seeing footage of the Black Watch being deployed into Basra, their pipe band marching to the ‘Black Bear’ which is an old favourite tune of the Scottish regiments.

“It really struck me seeing Scots at the sharp end of another war. I was at the time using the first world war as a topic in Gaelic classes I was teaching and looking at war poetry, stories, songs, pictures, and old film footage. It seemed a natural thing to write a song which commemorates the Gaels fighting in this current war.”

Musical Director Mary Ann Kennedy said: “Na Seòid in English means The Heroes. Tormod wanted to write something which is dedicated to the real heroes, those who are fighting in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq. We think it is a relevant and poignant addition to the songs which we will be performing in Highland communities, all of which have experience of sending young men to fight in wars. Such a collection of the top male Gaelic singers in Scotland may never again perform in the region so this is an ideal opportunity to witness some memorable concerts.”

Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seòid – The Heroes are performing as part of this year’s Blas Festival which will be staging 53 shows across 48 Highland venues from 31st August – 8th September.

Festival Director Donna Cunningham said: “The Blas Festival is dedicated to celebrating our Gaelic culture and the music of the region. Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seòid manage to do both and their shows will be thought provoking. Their audiences are in for a musical treat.”

The main sponsor of this year’s festival is the Clydesdale Bank. Alan Holland, Managing Partner of the Bank's Financial Solutions Centre in Inverness said: "Clydesdale Bank are delighted to support BLAS during 2007, Scotland's Year of Highland Culture. Clydesdale Bank has a long history of supporting community events and activities throughout Scotland and we are delighted we now have this partnership in place with a flagship project, throughout the Highlands, which will benefit locals and visitors alike."

Information about Blas Festival events is available from the website www.blas-festival.com. Tickets are available by telephone hotline: 01463 782213; from venues staging the festival shows; or on-line at www.thebooth.co.uk

The BLAS Festival primary sponsor is Clydesdale Bank. Other sponsors and supporters include The Highland Council, Highland 2007, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Scottish Arts Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Jacobite Cruises, Highland Flying School, Highlander Music, BBC Radio Scotland and Live Music Now Scotland.

Na Seoid – The Heroes:

• Wednesday September 5th Lairg Community Centre with Lairg Gaelic Choir
• Thursday September 6th Badenoch Centre, Kingussie with Fèis Spè
• Friday September 7th Torridon Village Hall
• Saturday 8th September Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

For further information please contact:

Peter Kane - 01463 871600 / 07742 308213 / info@kanecommunication.com

Notes to editors:

1. The festival director is Donna Cunningham and the artistic director is
   Brian Ó hEadhra.
2. The Blas festival is run by Fèisean nan Gàidheal in partnership with the Promoters’ Arts Network.
3. The BLAS festival is in its third year. It was created as a result of The Highland Council’s desire to create a new festival for the Highlands which would match the vitality of Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours Festival.
4. The BLAS festival makes a virtue of featuring home-grown talent alongside internationally-renowned traditional musicians. Gaelic plays a very prominent part in every BLAS event.
5. The festival is supported by a network of promoters and volunteers from local Fèisean and PAN promoters, approximately 400 in number.
6. The Blas Festival will stage events in Inverness, Lochaber, Skye & Lochalsh,
   Ross-shire, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, Sutherland, and Caithness.