Residents at two Ross-Shire care homes rocked to the sound of Pride as they welcomed performers from the local LGBTQ+ community.
Eilean Dubh in Fortrose and Innis Mhor in Tain took part in a two-day Parklands Pride festival, featuring performances from Inverness singer Sugar Browne, Highland drag queen Venus Guytrap, and Blair Teska from Scottish traditional music band Tuath, accompanied by Jarad Rowan.
Residents were joined by relatives and friends from the local community for the two 80-minute shows that included a mix of pop and rock hits and favourite traditional Scottish songs that brought back fond memories for many residents.
This was Venus Guytrap’s second Parklands Pride and for Blair Teska, it marked a poignant return to Innis Mhor where his late grandmother Jessie was a much beloved resident.
Blair Teska said: “It was so nice see everyone smiling and enjoying some new and traditional Scottish music. To see a smile on their faces, bringing back so many memories, it’s just so joyful.”
Darryl Geegan who performs as Venus Guytrap added: “It feels amazing to be back. It was a tremendous honour to be asked to come back. When I sing songs and see the residents responding to them and remembering them, singing along and dancing, it’s a really special feeling.”
Ant Collesso, performing as Sugar Browne said: “The main reason I became a singer is because I think music is so healing, so to see people enjoying that and the music, the songs that take them back to a special place in time, it means a lot to me. To be able to do a Pride performance within a care home is so special.”
Representatives from Highland Pride also attended the performances.
Simon Allison of Highland Pride said: “I think it’s heartwarming to see so many people enjoying live musical performance anyway, and then when those performers are representatives of the LGBTQ plus community, It’s even more special in a way. For a care home to be embracing Pride in this way is fundamentally important.”
Alexis Le Neven, manager of Eilean Dubh care, home added: “Residents, relatives and family had an amazing afternoon with great music and fun. Thank you to our team for coming together to organise such a nice event and to our performers for joining with us to celebrate love and diversity.”
