Seven top tips for what's on across the Highlands and Moray from Friday, August 2 to Thursday, August 8

Every week What's On North offers up seven top picks from across the north of Scotland for arts-lovers to feast on. This week's include the pride of Ireland, two from Tyne, and death in Dufftown

1 A NIGHT featuring four stars of Irish country music is set to hit the north for dates this weekend.

Keep It Country – featuring Gary Gamble, Ritchie Remo, Caitlin, and Boxcar Brian, with music from Keltic Storm – comes to Eden Court, Inverness on Friday night and Elgin Town Hall on Sunday night.

Both nights’ shows start at 7.30pm. For prices and tickets, go to www.eden-court.co.uk or www.elgintownhall.co.uk

2 NEWCASTLE-based indie-folk duo Jinski are set to finish up their Highland tour this weekend with two last concerts.

Stephen Wegrzynski and Dave Kennedy will bring their stripped back songs to the Scourie Village Hall this Friday night, before travelling south to the Argyll Hotel in Ullapool on Saturday.

For more information about the duo and the concerts, go to www.jinski.com

3 HOOTANANNY Inverness is set for ska and ready for roots reggae on Friday night with the visit of the Tennshann Invasion band.

The band from Montego Bay, Jamaica comes to the city venue from 9.30pm for a sun-drenched evening of positive vibes and uplifting music.

Entry is free for the concert. Go to tennshanninvasion.wixsite.com/tennshanninvasion

4 SUMMER keeps on coming, and with summer in the Highlands comes the community Highland Games happening across the region.

Friday night sees the annual Highland Gathering at Dornoch, which sees events happening across the whole village.

While on Saturday the Newtonmore Highland Games (at the Eilan) and Mey Highland Games (at John o’Groats Showground) are both set to take place, with traditional events and activities all day.

5 TEENAGE singer/songwriter Danny Mellin journeys north all the way from Oxfordshire this Sunday for a show in Elgin.

The musician, who recently unveiled new single You and Me in advance of the release of his third EP later this year, comes to the Drouthy Cobbler on Sunday night from 8pm.

For more info about the singer/songwriter, go to www.dannymellin.com

6 CARRINGTON MacDuffie returns to Inverness for an intimate early-evening concert at the Market Bar this Sunday.

The New York native (who now splits her time between Austin and Seattle) and singer/songwriter will take to the stage after a slot at this weekend’s Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival for a show including tracks from last year’s album Kiss Make Better.

The show is set to start at 7pm and entry is free. For more information, go to www.carringtonmacduffie.com

7 OUT of the Darkness Theatre Company bring their Murder Mystery trilogy to a close next week, with performances of new show Murder on the Dufftown Express at its Elgin theatre.

The company’s take on a classic Hercule Poirot tale will call on the audience to help the famous detective solve a murder most foul.

The performances start from Thursday night and run through until Saturday night. All performances start at 7pm and tickets cost £10 (£8 concession). Go to www.odtheatre.org.uk