In 2011, Norwegian musician and composer Kyrre Slind quit his job as music teacher and mountain guide, bought a banjo and hit the road on a Vespa 125 scooter, to head for Ireland.

Four years later - rich in experiences - he has ended up in Peeblesshire.

And this weekend he will release his first solo album, Open Airs, at Carlops Church.

Slind’s melodies describe landscapes, impressions and personalities encountered when travelling throughout the great north and its islands.

The mountains and fjords of Norway, the gentle hills of Ireland and the rugged, beautiful landscape of Scotland is the framework for the album's 10 tracks.

Kyrre told us: "The main ingredient is the open-tuned guitars, entwined with lute, bass and voice.

"The playing style is personal and distinctive, and musical influences are multiple.

"The lute melodies draw upon the northern tradition of painting musical landscapes, while the guitar compositions stylistically come from the folk baroque of the 60s and classical guitar."

Kyrre's voice is used to great effect as a canvas for the instrumental melodies, painting landscapes of sound with overtones in the wonderful resonance of the church.

He regularly performs internationally - solo, and as part of ensembles - on lute, guitar, sitar, banjo and mandolin.

And recently collaborated with Gerda Stevenson on her acclaimed album Night Touches Day.

The launch concert of Open Airs takes place in Carlops Church on Sunday from 4pm.