Runrig’s music to inspire new musical set on island

Runrig’s music will feature in a new stage musical set in a Scottish island community.

The Stamping Ground, which shares its name with Runrig’s 2001 album, is being created by playwright Morna Young and composer John Kielty.

Runrig songwriters, brothers Calum and Rory MacDonald, have given their blessing for a host of the band’s best-known anthems to feature in the show.

Plans for the musical have been announced more than three years after the band bowed out with two sold-out farewell concerts in Stirling.

The Stamping Ground will tell the story of a couple who return to their island community to find it filled with more tourists than residents.

Arts agency Creative Scotland is supporting the musical with £292,000 in funding, with the show to be launched at Eden Court in Inverness in July before a nationwide tour in 2023.

Creator Morna Young said: “Having the opportunity to work on such an ambitious piece of work is a rare and joyous experience, and I’m delighted to be returning to my own stamping ground – Eden Court – alongside Raw Material.

“It’s a privilege to work with Runrig’s material and with such an incredible creative team, and I am thrilled that Eden Court and Raw Material are producing a work of this scale.”