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One small group of faraway islands – so much musical talent.

Shetland’s “national” instrument, the fiddle, rightly takes pride of place in a packed programme, highlighting the wealth of both tradition and innovation at work in this most fertile of musical territories.

Four of them are wielded by Fiddlers’ Bid alone, as the seven-piece instrumental powerhouse take a break from recording their fifth album to raise the Concert Hall roof.

Also featured are Shetland fiddle music’s finest individual exponents, including the leading figure in its modern-day revival, Aly Bain with his renowned pianist Violet Tulloch, together with Chris Stout.

Filska alternate sparkling instrumentals with sweetly harmonised songs, while the veteran string band Hom Bru showcases some of Shetland’s finest finger-pickers. Offering their fresh take on Shetland music will be Rock Salt and Nails as they incorporate many traditional themes through their more contemporary, energetic and exciting approach delivered via guitar, fiddle, banjo and keyboards.

From the village of Cullivoe on the Island of Yell, The Cullivoe Fiddlers will also be appearing performing traditional Shetland tunes in their own style alongside the new generation of fiddlers.

The evening will also feature a special tribute to the late and much-loved guitar legend Peerie Willie Johnson, who died in 2007. And given Shetlanders’ legendary appetite for a party, there’ll more than likely be another surprise guest or two dropping by.

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