BORDER piper Matt Seattle will set the tone for an evening of light and music at Neidpath Castle on Friday.

As well as playing host to a unique event which will also feature performances by Scottish Vocal Ensemble (SVE) and Savourna Stevenson, the historic Peeblesshire venue will be lit up as part of Lighting the Borders.

Matt, who resides in Hawick, will pipe the audience into the venue from the rooftop of Neidpath Castle, followed by site specific performances from SVE and internationally renowned harpist, musician and composer, Savourna.

A musician since his teens, Matt's focus for the last 26 years has been on researching, reviving and renewing the Border piping tradition.

He plays regularly in two bands, has made several CDs - including one with a string quartet - and has published a series of books which have achieved worldwide recognition for their role in underpinning the revival of interest in Border piping.

The programme draws heavily on local themes of Borders landscape, folklore, history and culture performed in the dramatic setting of Neidpath Castle.

The Scottish Vocal Ensemble will perform works inspired by local sites such as the Tweed, Yarrow, Melrose and Lyne as well as local authors including Walter Scott.

They will also perform a moving arrangement of The Flowers of the Forest and a recent composition by Savourna inspired by the works of John Buchan.

Savourna herself will include two pieces from her popular CD Tweed Journey and her elemental suite Dawn, Earth, Wind, Water which was originally commissioned by Borders Youth Dance Festival.

The event starts at 7pm and tickets, priced £14 for adults and £7 for under 18s, can be bought from www.borderevents.com or www.neidpathcastle.com or telephone 01721 720333.

A full programme of events, including details of all the sites and events as part of Lighting the Borders can be found online at www.scottishbordersheritage.com

Funding has been provided by Creative Scotland, Museums & Galleries Scotland and EventScotland – as part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.