Highland Overture and Two Scottish Pieces

Oban, Scotland, with the island of Kerrera close by in the background. Photograph: Alba Tross/Alamy

In 1935, Susan went on holiday to Scotland and visited Oban on the West Coast. There she met George Melbourne Loynd, the organist at the Argyll Square Church of Scotland church, who played her some Scottish airs. This inspired her to write Highland Overture and Two Scottish Pieces – By St. Mary’s Loch and Kerrera. (Kerrera is the island close to Oban).

St Mary's Loch, Scotland. Photograph: Gibson family

There are modern recordings of the Two Scottish Pieces by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Arrangements for violin and piano of these pieces were published and are also available for performance.

Highland Overture was broadcast by the BBC and published in 1937. There are no modern recordings of this piece, but the score and parts exist ready for use if the opportunity arises for recording or performance.

Excerpt of manuscript for Highland Overture