Musicians tune up for fundraising marathon

TWO young musicians are undertaking a concert tour with a difference to help a disabled organisation.

Gillian Maitland, 24, regarded as one of the country's best classical marimba players, was forced to give up studying for a degree after being involved in a serious car accident that left her left leg permanently paralysed below the knee.

She and a friend, Callum Dewar, 22, a classic guitarist, are now undertaking a 370-mile walk the length of Scotland, from John o' Groats to Gretna, playing a series of concerts along the way.

The pair, from Forfar in Angus, will perform seven premieres of pieces specially written by renowned classical composers and raise money for Capability Scotland.

The marathon event was praised in a motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament by South of Scotland MSP Aileen Campbell and backed by seven other members.

The walk starts in John o' Groats on 1 August and during the trek Gillian and Callum will gather people's opinions and suggestions on making Scotland a more disabled-friendly country. The information will be passed to the Scottish Government.

Gillian, who studied at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh and played in the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, said: "The event is taking place for a couple of reasons, first of all to raise money for Capability Scotland, but for Callum and I, this is primarily to raise awareness for young and disabled, newly disabled, and also people with hidden disabilities.

"These three areas of disability have been ignored up until now, and we want to find out from Scotland what changes need to be made."