First Minister Reveals How He Lowered The Tone
Fireworks over the Kessock Bridge last night signalled the finale of . The year-long celebration of Highland culture attracted more than its fair share of critics, but when you're talking about six hundred different events then you would have difficulty pleasing all the people all the time.
On Friday night I went along to the newly refurbished Eden Court theatre for a six hour showcase of some of the best performances from the past twelve months. Seasoned professionals such as the gave way to school choirs and traditional dancers. It was a fantastic variety show and if I had to pick a favourite it would be the abridged peromance of .
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Scotland's Highland Cafe team were also part of the proceedings. We had hoped to broadcast a live programme, but the sub-zero temperatures seemed to short-circuit some of the outside broadcast equipment, so we switrched to Plan B and recorded the programme instead.
Mary Ann Kennedy was our host...and indeed she hosted the showcase event too. Guests included the Director of Highland 2007, Fiona Hampton and Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond. He declared the special year a success and then shared a musical secret from his childhood.
Apparently his confidence in front of audiences stems from an early career as a boy soprano. That had to be abandoned when his voice broke and then, a little later, politics offered him new opportunities to use his deeper tones.
I wonder what his singing is like these days.
