Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

14:25 GMT, Friday, 29 August 2008 15:25 UK

Musicians caught in Zoom collapse

Flying Fiddles. Pic: Stephen Carter

Two groups of musicians fear they have lost money and the chance of playing at an international festival following the suspension of flights by Zoom.

Flying Fiddles - comprising youngsters from the Western Isles - were being sponsored by the airline.

Inverness Gaelic Choir is concerned it has lost £10,000 saved over two years.

The two groups have been preparing for performances during Celtic Colours, an event bringing together musicians and artists in Cape Breton, Canada.

"It is such a great opportunity for any young person to go to Celtic Colours, but especially for young people from a remote place"
Anna-Wendy Stevenson
Flying Fiddles


Anna-Wendy Stevenson, musical director of Flying Fiddles, said they now have to find donations to fill a funding gap of £6,000.

She said: "We have done so much work with fundraising for the trip.

"It is such a great opportunity for any young person to go to Celtic Colours, but especially for young people from a remote place."

Loganair - the airline they will use to get from the islands to the mainland - has offered assistance with that part of group's trip.

Meanwhile, Gaelic choir member Fiona Mackenzie said that following the collapse of Zoom, it was now unlikely they would be able to raise the funds to go.

Inverness Gaelic Choir. Picture courtesy of Inverness Gaelic Choir About 26 singers from the choir were to attend the festival in October.

Since 1997, the event has featured hundreds of musicians from Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Brittany, Spain, Denmark, Germany and Cuba.

Zoom suspended all its flights - blaming the economic downturn and steep rises in fuel bills.

Founded in 2001, it flew mainly to Canada from Glasgow, Gatwick, Belfast, Cardiff and Manchester airports.



E-mail this to a friend

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Zoom Airlines
Celtic Colours International Festival
Inverness Gaelic Choir
Loganair
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©