Last week, the Bee The Change Intergenerational Choir shared the stage with headline act Callum Beattie at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival — a truly special night for everyone involved, and one we're proud to have played a part in through our High Life Highland Leadership Programme.
A unique moment on the Belladrum stage
The youngest and teenage members of Bee The Change took to the Belladrum stage alongside Callum Beattie — Auldearn Nursery children and Nairn Academy Young Leaders, joined by pupils from Charleston Academy, who were also part of the choir on the night.
It's a moment that speaks for itself: children, teenagers and young leaders from across the community, brought together through music, sharing a festival stage with one of Scotland's best-loved artists.
Getting there was made possible by Stagecoach, who provided transport free of charge so the choir's members could travel to and from the festival to take part in the performance.
Kimberley Whittingham, Early Years Practitioner at Auldearn Nursery and Primary School, remembers how it all began: "When Elizabeth McDonald first approached me about the intergenerational choir, we joked about headlining Belladrum. We laughed at the time, but somehow we made this happen — and now we are stunned!
"Working with the Young Leaders has given the kids so much confidence, and you can see that on stage. We are so proud of them all.
"My motto is say yes, as you never know where it leads! It might just lead you on a bus with 20 nursery kids, and on stage at Belladrum!"
My motto is say yes — you never know where it leads!
Early Years Practitioner, Auldearn Nursery and Primary School
How the choir got there
The performance is the culmination of a journey that started much smaller. The choir was set up as a partnership between our Leadership Programme and the mental health charity Mikeysline, bringing together toddlers from Auldearn Nursery, teenage Young Leaders from Nairn Academy, and residents of St Olaf Care Home through weekly rehearsals.
Led by local musicians and former Young Leaders, Kenna and Morna Ross, the sessions stimulated memory and lifted spirits among older residents, while helping younger participants build confidence, empathy and leadership skills.
What started as a small activity within the care home and school grew steadily — from a Christmas debut on Nairn High Street, to a feature on STV News, to Belladrum, where pupils from Charleston Academy also joined the choir on stage.
What this means for the community
This is a project built on genuine relationships across generations, and Belladrum was the biggest stage it's had yet. We're delighted our Leadership Programme has been part of that journey alongside Mikeysline, Nairn Academy's Young Leaders, and Charleston Academy — and we can't wait to see where the choir goes next.
You can watch a clip from the night on our social media.
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