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Andy Irvine & Quilty at Birnam Arts
Thu 24 Sep
Andy Irvine & Quilty | Auditorium
20:00 - 22:00
Doors Open 19:30

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Nordic Viola

Nordic Viola

14 June 2026

Founded in 2016 by Katherine Wren, Nordic Viola is a flexible ensemble of woodwind and string players forming musical and cultural connections in the North Atlantic Region with an emphasis on contemporary music and its relationship with traditional forms. Described by The Scotsman as a “quietly pioneering project,” the result is a blend of instrumental and natural sound, and poetic fragments.

In this performance, Nordic Viola joins composer Lisa Robertson to create a unique  and reflective soundscape for string trio by blending instrumental and natural sound with poetic fragments from Kathleen Jamie’s "The Green Room."

 

 

Nordic Viola are renowned for their thoughtful approach to drawing out the inspiration and poetry of place and its memories through enhanced chamber performance, taking audiences on an extraordinary musical journey around Highland Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Orkney and Shetland, Iceland and Greenland.

Their collaborative album, On a Wing and a Prayer is a reflective music performance exploring climate, landscape, and hope. On a Wing and a Prayer – is an idiomatic expression meaning doing something in the hope that you will succeed despite being insufficiently prepared. Nordic Viola takes this figure of speech as a starting point for humankind’s approach to the climate crisis, and enters into musical conversation with West Highland composer, Lisa Robertson.

From coast to mountain via stream and woodland, they explore a range of emotions from the bleakness of habitat loss through the teeming life of the rainforest and towards the hope of a more harmonious existence between humankind and nature.

Nordic Viola has performed in major festivals including the Dark Music Days (Iceland), St. Magnus International Festival (Orkney), Nordic Music Days, Made In Scotland Showcase (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and Summartónar  (Faroes). Nordic Viola have also combined with Faroese ensemble Aldubáran  touring the Faroe Islands and Orkney.

 

 Lunch Ticket Option
A limited number of tickets are available that include a soup and sandwich lunch at 12:30, served on the Mezzanine before the performance. This is a relaxed way to enjoy lunch at Birnam Arts and settle in ahead of the show.

Planning Your Visit

Links to our Cafe, opening times and directions.

Visitor Information >

Other Events This Month

MORE
26 Sep - 27 Sep

Adult Ballet Festival Caledonia

Arts Workshop   |   Auditorium   |   Various
Adult Ballet Festival Caledonia at Birnam Arts
Sat 26 Sep 2026

Nature Inspired Mixed Media Workshop

Arts Workshop   |   Studios   |   11:00 - 15:00
Nature Inspired Mixed Media Workshop with Victoria Fifield at Birnam Arts
Sun 27 Sep 2026

Make Your Own Textured Silver Ring

Arts Workshop   |   Studios   |   12:00 - 15:30
Make Your Own Textured Silver Ring with Kristina Merchant at Birnam Arts
Fri 2 Oct 2026

Artist Talk

Arts Workshop   |   Gallery   |   18:00 - 19:30
Artist Talk Ronald Forbes at Birnam Arts
Map showing Birnam Arts and conference centre in Scotland

Opening Times

Box Office
Open periodically throughout the week | Book online 24/7


Cafe
Daily | 09:00 - 17:00



Birnam Arts
Station Road
Birnam Dunkeld
PH8 0DS
admin@birnamarts.com
Tel: 01350 727 674

Reading Room

Star Star Star Star Star

We had not planned to present a hybrid festival, however that changed when one of our main authors tested positive for Covid. I greatly appreciated how the team worked with us to pivot and present remotely in part, making full use of your enhanced video conferencing equipment. As a result, we were able to deliver quite complex events with several elements all showing on screen simultaneously. The audio-visual quality was excellent, and our audiences were delighted that these events could still go ahead, in spite of Covid. The author in question was really pleased that he could join us on screen and remarked that he had not been so well supported in this way at any other festival.

Fiona Ritchie   |   Birnam Book Festival 2022

Entrance

Welcome to Birnam Arts, a boutique multi-purpose arts, conferencing and entertainment venue.

Highlights

Pop in to the Foyer Cafe for breakfast, grab a delicious coffee with a selection of our homemade baking or enjoy a light lunch whilst browsing on the free WiFi. Wander upstairs to view the latest of our monthly art exhibitions before visiting the world of Beatrix Potter, or the Gift Shop to purchase a special gift for your loved ones or yourself!

Star Star Star Star Star

As a past Chairman of Tayside NADFAS/Arts Society, I have enjoyed so many of our lectures in Birnam's wonderful hall and the hospitality which has accompanied it.

Virginia Cardwell-Moore   |   Crowdfunder #savebirnamarts 2020

Beatrix Potter Garden

Opening times

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Star Star Star Star Star

We had not planned to present a hybrid festival, however that changed when one of our main authors tested positive for Covid. I greatly appreciated how the team worked with us to pivot and present remotely in part, making full use of your enhanced video conferencing equipment. As a result, we were able to deliver quite complex events with several elements all showing on screen simultaneously. The audio-visual quality was excellent, and our audiences were delighted that these events could still go ahead, in spite of Covid. The author in question was really pleased that he could join us on screen and remarked that he had not been so well supported in this way at any other festival.

Fiona Ritchie   |   Birnam Book Festival 2022

  • Entrance

  • Kinnaird

  • Cafe

  • Beatrix Potter

  • Shop

  • Gallery

  • Studio

Unfortunately our lift is currently out of order, restricting access to our first floor studios and galleries. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We are working hard to get it back up and running as soon as possible. 

If you would like more information or have any questions ahead of your visit, pease email admin@birnamarts.com

More information on accessibility can be found here