Lammermuir Festival combines the beauty of Scotland’s sunshine coast and the best of classical music for a 14th year

Lammermuir Festival returns to East Lothian this September, bringing its trademark mix of stunning classical music in beautiful, sometimes remote, locations across the county.

Now one of Scotland’s most celebrated musical gems, the Festival was founded in 2010 with a vision to create the perfect environment to experience music, bringing together natural scenery with historical architecture.

Some of the world’s best musicians gather to make music in this picturesque landscape. These mesmerising rolling hills and fields offer a sanctuary just outside Edinburgh, and the Festival is the perfect opportunity to spend time on this path less travelled.

Some of the highlights of this year’s line-up include Secret Byrd – a new immersive performance by acclaimed vocal group Gesualdo 6 and instrumentalists Fretwork of some of Byrd’s most celebrated music on the 400th anniversary of his death. Other treats include a series of performances by the Festival’s patron Steven Osborne, a highlight being a lecture performance taking us on a deep delve into the music of Schubert. Festival favourites Roderick Williams, Maxwell String Quartet, Scottish Opera also return, and regulars Dunedin Consort this year bring a programme of works by female composers, including Francesca Caccini and Barbara Strozzi.

The festival predominantly takes place in the hidden gems of the region – the many churches and chapels of the region that are tucked away in the villages and towns between the hills. Each of them is unique and passes on stories of the architectural and religious traditions of East Lothian. At the heart of the region is the town of Haddington, which contains many such buildings. Particularly renowned is St. Mary’s Parish church, whose high-vaulting nave produces a brilliantly resonant and warm acoustic perfect for hosting Festival events and in which we celebrate the 50th anniversary of its restoration.

Returning to the music, Royal Northern Sinfonia come this year with entrancing violinist Maria Włoszczowska in a programme of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major and Schumann. The all-star Kaleidoscope Chamber Cooperative plays music ranging from Poulenc to Lefanu and Bacewicz to Coleridge-Taylor. The Festival also welcomes one of the UK’s most exciting singers, the sensuous soprano Nardus Williams in her Festival debut; and is excited to welcome back the boundary smashing Iranian-American harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani for several performances.

There are many places to stay throughout East Lothian to enjoy the festival and the region’s natural beauty, from camping and caravanning to hotels and self-catering. Drummohr Camping & Glamping Site just outside Musselburgh offers a serene family and dog friendly stay in the grounds of an old monastery, five minutes’ walk from the coast with options from camping all the way up to caravans and holiday lodges with hot tubs. The Nether Abbey Hotel in North Berwick offers fantastic sea views, dinner-bed-breakfast deals and a cosy atmosphere perfect for anything from a romantic couples getaway to the festival or a family trip. For something more luxe, Maitlandfield House lies right at the heart of Haddington and the festival, offering ensuite rooms and an award-winning bar and brasserie in a charming 17th-century mansion.

East Lothian is also known as Scotland’s food & drink county, and as such also offers a delightful and varied selection of eateries across the region. The Lobster Shack on North Berwick harbour is famed for its selection of seafood in an informal setting with heated and covered seats. The Waterside Bistro in Haddington is family-owned and offers high-quality seasonal menus for lunch and dinner, alongside an excellent bar service. For something more fancy for dinner, Parilla Bueno Ayres on Musselburgh’s High Street is a perfect place to enjoy Argentine-style cuisine and beautifully dry-aged steaks.

The Lammermuir Festival is one of the classiest of its kind, offering attendees the chance to explore East Lothian’s many religious and architectural treasures throughout its beautiful landscape imbued with life-affirming music.

Festival programme: https://www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk