An Angus pipe major was at Arbroath harbour at the weekend for the first public rendition of a piece composed to mark the bicentenary of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.
Stephen Russell of Arbroath British Legion Pipe Band penned the number Year Of The Light to coincide with the town’s programme of celebrations that has been running since February.
During a performance at the harbour on Saturday he was watched by a selection of invited guests, including members of the Year Of The Light steering committee and the group’s patron Lord Southesk, who received a framed page of sheet music from the track.
After the presentation Mr Russell boarded the Girl Katherine boat, where he played his composition on the way out of the harbour en route to the Bell Rock.
Committee chairman Harry Simpson said, “There will be a repeat performance of Year Of The Light at the Year Of The Light ceilidh in November when the pipes and drums of Arbroath British Legion Pipe Band will play this piece of music.
“The song will provide a wonderful, highly-evocative reminder for many years of how everyone in Arbroath-and far beyond-joined in with the Year of the Light celebrations of the bicentenary of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.”
Lord Southesk added, “As patron of the Year Of The Light, I am honoured that Arbroath’s celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Bell Rock Lighthouse has inspired such a wonderful piece of music.”
For more about the Year Of The Light visit www.angusahead.com/bellrocklighthouse.