Musicians in Exile, a group of asylum-seeking and refugee musicians from Glasgow, visited Loch Lomond this week to learn about the impact of the climate emergency of Scottish nature.
The group is fresh from a recent appearance at Edinburgh International Festival and was hoping to be inspired for a concert with Gaelic folk rock group DLÙ in March.
Members of Govan-based orchestra, The Glasgow Barons, the musicians have been displaced from countries including Ukraine and Iran and had little experience of Scotland out-with Glasgow.
This visit helped them learn about Scottish identity and experience the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature.
National park rangers guided them along forest trails from Balmaha, demonstrating the importance of Scotland’s rainforests for nature and climate while capturing sounds and colours of their environment for inspiration enroute.
Paul MacAlindin, artistic director of the Glasgow Barons, said: “Musicians in Exile have been sharing their musical voices across Scotland’s communities over five years and sang about our climate crisis at COP26.
“Now, for the first time, we’re connecting directly with Scotland’s natural heritage to see, first hand, how the world is changing on our doorstep.”
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park’s chief executive, Gordon Watson, said: “It is always hugely rewarding to see people enjoying, valuing, and helping us look after the national park, and particularly in this instance where it’s something the group haven’t had a chance to experience before.
“Removing barriers to help people from all backgrounds to connect with nature within the national park is a key objective in our national park partnership plan.
“Seeing this group reap the benefits, while also helping them to talk about the impacts of the climate emergency on nature with their community, has been a brilliant project to be involved in.”
Other initiatives to increase access to the national park for all include a travel grant for those where cost is a barrier.
Last year (2022/23), £5,000 was distributed to groups to enable visits to learn about and connect with the park.
Free engagement sessions with park rangers are also available year-round.
Since 2018, Glasgow Barons has seen over 60 musicians participate in the Musicians in Exile community music project.
The forthcoming performance, inspired by their visit to the national park, takes place on March 16 at 7.30pm in Edmiston House, 100 Edmiston Drive, for the Govan Music Festival.
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