In tune with Scotland

Top band Runrig bring their homeland to life through their music. Here are the places that have inspired them over the years. Text and pictures by Andy Hall

Runrig is Scotland's premier Celtic rock band. The band has enjoyed immense popularity over the past 30 years at home in Scotland and overseas.

One of the undoubted highlights of Runrig's career was the open-air concert they played at Balloch Country Park, Loch Lomond, when 50,000 people gathered for what was to be an unforgettable occasion for those who were lucky enough to attend.

When I was asked to take photographs for their 2005 calendar, Loch Lomond seemed the obvious location for one of the key images.

The concept was to photograph the band members in beautiful locations while participating in their favourite pastimes. Founding members and brothers, Calum and Rory Macdonald respectively chose angling on North Uist, Calum's birthplace, and hill running in the Pentlands, south of Edinburgh.

For drummer Iain Bayne's golfing location, Boat of Garten Golf Club in Speyside provided a stunning Cairngorm backdrop, particularly in late afternoon light.

The Loch Lomond shot was for keyboard player Brian Hurren in his chosen pursuit of listening to music while enjoying his surroundings. Duncryne Hill near Gartocharn, affectionately known as The Dumpling, was chosen as the viewpoint.

Brian and I were completely unprepared for the breathtaking view on reaching the summit of its easily manageable 100 metre slopes.

The vista is the whole of Loch Lomond, out over the islands with the Arrochar Alps and Ben Lomond beyond.

Along with many thousands of fans across the globe, I lov...

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• By : Andy Hall
• In : Interview
• Issue : 17
• Page : 18
• Words : 741