Look out for BIM stall at the Community Markets – volunteers needed for this exciting new     fund-raising idea.

Community markets are taking off in the Black Isle in a big way: the Black Isle Gathering attracted 80 stalls and 800 people in 2011! Markets are held regularly at North Kessock, Cromarty and Culbokie and now there’s a new one in Avoch. We hope to sell local professionally-made home baking and chocolates but would welcome any donations of good-quality crafts for sale – and volunteers who could help out (on a rota basis so perhaps just once a month) would be warmly welcomed.   Our aim is to fundraise gradually during 2012 for our 2013 performance to reduce the need for grant-aid and fundraising in the lead-up to. Please contact Philip via our contact page.

BIM 2011 calendar images now up

Have a look at our gallery to see whether our photographer caught you looking at your best!

BIM 2011 sells out

On November 4 – 6 2011, 160 participants came together in front of a sell-out audience of 275 (with some standing at the back!) to perform the Mozart Requiem with a supporting programme of Mozart music including the Overture ‘Il Seraglio’ and the Ave Verum Corpus. Professional soloists Joanna Weekes (soprano), Alison Wells (mezzo-soprano), Jamie MacDougall and Richard Morrison (baritone) thrilled participants and audience alike with Mozart arias.

The performance had an unforgettable atmosphere, with many visibly moved by the music, which always seems to come across as though it has never been performed or heard before at a BIM event.