Seven top tips for what's on across the Highlands and Moray from Friday, July 26 to Thursday, August 1

Every week What's On North offers up seven top picks for the best and most must-see events from across the north of Scotland. This week features a secret artist for Eden Court's Under Canvas, the chance to learn about writing your own play,some hillbilly music, an outdoor performance of the summeriest Shakespeare play and a classical feast in Ullapool!

1 There are two chances to take part in Playwright Studio Scotland: What’s The Big Idea? which comes to the Lyth Arts Centre in Caithness and Eden Court, Inverness, this weekend. The session is suited to aspiring playwrights and is led by Oliver Emanuel – an internationally award-winning playwright based in Scotland who shows you how to generate stories and ideas. Oliver has written more than 30 plays for both stage and radio and is reader of playwriting at the University of St Andrews. The event comes to Lyth Arts Centre on Friday, July 26 (4pm), and to Eden Court on Saturday, July 27 (2pm). Contact: www.lytharts.org.uk/event/playwright-studio-scotland-whats-the-big-idea and www.eden-court.co.uk for more information.

2 The Lady of Avenel – a two-masted tall ship – hosts a grand concert and dance, open to the public as Sessions And Sail: Grand Ceilidh at Plockton Hall, on Friday, July 26 from 7.30pm. There will be live music and also dancing to the sound of the Riska Ceilidh Band. Details: www.facebook.com/ events/plockton-village-hall

3 Project Y Company bring cutting-edge dance to Eden Court, Inverness, on Saturday, July 27, presenting four new contemporary pieces from some of the UK’s best young choreographers. The performance starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £5.50-£7.50. Details: www.eden-court.uk

4 The Edinburgh Quartet play at the Macphail Centre in Ullapool on Saturday, July 27, and again at the venue on Wednesday, July 31, with two different programmes of music as part of their residency at the Variations Summer School, alongside Rosie Stanforth on the cor anglais. On Saturday they will play Bach’s cello suite no 1 BWV 1007 in G major, Mozart’s duo for violin and viola K423 in G major and Beethoven’s string trio opus 9 no 3 in C minor. And on Wednesday, they will be playing Beethoven’s string quartet opus 18 no 2 in G major, Francaix’ quartet for cor anglais, violin, viola and cello and Dvorak’s string quartet Opus 51 in E flat major. Tickets are £10 (£8) for single ticket or £17.50 (£15) for both concerts. Tickets available from the Macphail Centre, Ullapool. Phone: 01854 613336

5 The Wootown Hillbillies play the Market Bar, Inverness, on Wednesday, July 31, as part of the band’s ‘Hillbillies hit the Highlands’ summer tour. A collective of musicians, they play fun-fuelled tunes from bluegrass to jug band music. Info: www.wootownhillbillies.co.uk

6 There are no clues yet as to who the secret artist may be providing the music for Under Canvas outside Eden Court on the lawn on Wednesday and Thursday, July 31 and August 1. But given the rest of the line-up, it is very likely it will be someone worth catching! Details: www.eden-court.uk

Illyria filmed performing A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2016:

7 A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Cawdor Castle, on Thursday, August 1, from 7pm, is Shakespeare’s popular comedy of love and intrigue, magic and mayhem, all brought to life by family favourites Quantum Theatre. Set on that most dangerous of nights when fairies are abroad and nothing is as it seems, four young unsuspecting, lovers become entangled in magic in the bewitched woods outside Athens. Tickets from £8-£16. Info: www.cawdorcastle.com/whats-on-at-cawdor-castle-2

Catch up with the rest of July's things to do here:

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/lifestyle/whats-on-in-july-179719/