Eden Court’s Under Canvas festival opened this week with a world premiere performance from Gaelic group Sian, as part of Eden Court’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Alongside Hannah Rarity, the musicians officially launched eight weeks of live music on the banks of the River Ness, debuting a specially commissioned song.
The band performed Air an Starsaich (On the Threshold), commissioned for the occasion by Maoin nan Ealain Gàidhlig, to a full tent of festivalgoers. The song has been written in celebration of Highland women, past and present, who shaped pivotal moments in history whilst remaining, in the words of Gaelic scholar Meg Bateman, “neither out nor in” – present at the heart of Highland life, yet rarely fully credited for it.
Drawing on figures including Màiri Mhòr nan Òran, the women of the Battle of the Braes, Rona Lightfoot and the campaigners of SKAT (Skye and Kyle Against Tolls), the song also echoes Eden Court’s own journey from a private home to a community space that now welcomes Gaelic culture and creativity over its threshold.
The sold out launch sets the tone for the eighth edition of the festival, which continues at Eden Court until Sunday 30th August. With a line-up spanning trad, contemporary and world music, highlights still to come include a landmark 50th anniversary concert from trad royalty Duncan Chisholm, Michael McGoldrick, Gerry O’Connor and Tony Byrne at the Empire Theatre, Cuban guitar and Latin rhythms from Ahmed Dickinson and Los Chichanos, sets from Rachel Sermanni, Kris Drever and Cahalen Morrison, the first ever Under Canvas Ceilidh, silent discos, a Family Fun Day, and the festival’s celebrated closing party, the Final Hoolie, with resident DJs Karawane.
Susannah Armitage, Head of Live Performance + Producing at Eden Court, said:
“Promoting and supporting Gaelic language and culture is a priority for Eden Court and we wanted to find a moment to celebrate that as part of our 50th Anniversary. With support from Maoin nan Ealain Gàidhlig, we commissioned the wonderful Sian to create a new song to be played at the opening of Under Canvas. Sian have created a beautiful piece of work that champions the voices of Highland Women whose contribution to culture has often been more hidden. We are so delighted to be able to share it with audiences at the start of our Under Canvas festival.”
Rebecca Holt, Chief Executive, Eden Court, said:
“It is wonderful to open Under Canvas for its eighth year. The atmosphere on Eden Court’s lawn during the festival cannot be beaten – there will be eight weeks of live music, 195 musicians performing and over 8,000 audience members due to attend. Under Canvas has become such an important part of Inverness’s summer calendar and it is particularly special in Eden Court’s 50th anniversary year to have opened the festival with Sian’s beautiful and poignant new song. This year’s line-up is one of our most musically diverse yet so there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
Eden Court’s commitment to fair pricing remains with Pay What You Can ticket prices, including a new £7 Child ticket just in time for the summer holidays, and a Low Income option, while festivalgoers can unlock £10 multi-buy tickets when booking three or more sessions.
In Case You Missed It:
Tickets are on sale now – for more information and to explore the full line-up visit eden-court.co.uk/under-canvas.
Under Canvas 2026 is supported by Stage Sponsor Fraser Elite and Emerging Artist Sponsor XOKO.
