Tickets are on sale now for Arkle Theatre’s 3rd Fringe show in 2024. You can support us and save yourself the booking fee by buying direct from Arkle Theatre – book online here. Tickets can also be bought through the Fringe Society or by telephone: 0131 226 0026.
Following the unexpected success of last year’s “The Curious Case of Osgood Mackenzie”, sometime Melvaig resident Rob Mackean has written a second Wester Ross play, The Kelpie, The Loch and the Water of Life, which will as last year be in the format of a performed radio play with live sound effects. Running time is around 1 hour.
“I discovered the depth and richness of folklore in the Gairloch area gradually over the last 30 years” said Rob. “Weaving together a few of the tales into an entertaining piece for this year’s Fringe was too tempting, and the story of Loch na Beiste near Achgarve has always been one of my favourites. It also struck me that wherever you are in this glorious landscape, water isn’t far away, which led me to use the Kelpie as a narrator. She’s a water beast so conveniently can travel to wherever water is close.”
Melvaig was also known in the past as an area for illicit distilling, so this added another line to the plot. When Rob found out that Loch na Beiste was one of the smallest lochs included in the definitive survey of Scottish fresh water lochs at the end of the 19th century, which itself includes a tale of personal tragedy and persistence, this was another story to weave in.
“At one point in the play Jess, the Kelpie, sits on a rock next to Loch na Beiste in the form of a beautiful woman” added Rob. “When walking round the loch recently I was delighted to find that there is indeed such a rock ideally placed to be seen from the road to Mellon Udrigle. Kelpie magic strikes again!”.
Do you want to find out who Rory & Donald are, why tatties are so important, what a kelpie is capable of and why some things simply cannot be rushed? Then join us at 2.30pm between August 20th and 24th to escape the hurly-burly of the Fringe for an hour.
Tickets cost £10 and can be bought online direct from Arkle Theatre here. We look forward to seeing you at The Royal Scots Club between 20th and 24th August.
