Julie Fowlis in running for Oscar with song from Brave

By CLARE CARSWELL
Published on 27/12/2012 01:01

PRAISE has been showered on a Gaelic singer who has been nominated for a best song Oscar.

Julie Fowlis, from North Uist, and her song Touch the Sky is eatured on the soundtrack of the Disney Pixar film Brave, set in the Scottish Highlands.

Her song is on a long-list of seven for best song at the awards ceremony, to be held at the end of February in Los Angeles.

Fowlis faces competition from Katie Perry, Jessie J, actress Scarlett Johansson and the screen version of the musical Les Miserables.

SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in parliament to congratulate the multi-instrumentalist for her nomination and her contribution to promoting Scotland’s native language.

He said: “To make the long-list is a great achievement and I warmly congratulate Julie.

“She is a fantastic ambassador for Gaelic music and Scots music in general, putting it on the world map.

“Julie should be proud of her efforts to raise the profile of Scots song around the world. This nomination is a reflection of her hard work and talent for writing beautiful songs.”

Set in the medieval Highlands, Brave tells the tale of Merida, a skilled archer and the impetuous daughter of King Fergus, who unleashes chaos in the kingdom when she defies an age-old custom.

Fowlis also sang the anthem before the Scotland football team’s World Cup match with Serbia this year and performed at the closing ceremony of the Ryder Cup in Chicago.