Scottish Chamber Orchestra announces its 2026 Summer Tour, bringing world-class music to 26 towns and cities across Scotland
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra today announces its annual Summer Tour, from 23 May – 13 September 2026, presenting orchestral, chamber, choral and creative learning programmes across the length and breadth of Scotland. The 2026 Summer Tour stretches from Fraserburgh in the North East to Kirkcudbright in the South West, Oban on the West Coast to Kelso in the Borders, strengthening connections with local communities and offering world class classical music to audiences who might not otherwise experience it.
Gavin Reid, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra: “Our annual Summer Tour is a cornerstone of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s work, and we are delighted to be bringing world-class music to 26 towns and cities across Scotland this year. From full orchestral performances under Maxim Emelyanychev and our distinguished guest conductors, to chamber concerts, choral performances and creative learning events, this tour places our musicians at the heart of communities across the country.”
The full orchestra presents four programmes as part of the Summer Tour:
Maxim Emelyanychev takes the Orchestra across the Highlands to Inverness (1 July), Findhorn (2 July) and Blair Atholl (3 July) performing classical favourites including Mozart’s Symphony No.20 in D major and his Overture Don Giovanni. The flute takes centre stage in Doppler’s Double Flute Concerto with SCO soloists André Cebrián and Marta Gómez. The Orchestra also performs Haydn’s witty and inventive Symphony No.94 ‘Surprise’.
Conductor Lucas Macías presents a programme that puts wind soloists firmly in the spotlight. SCO Principal Clarinet Maximiliano Martín performs Weber’s virtuosic clarinet Concertino and joins SCO Principal Bassoon Cerys Ambrose-Evans for Stamitz’s elegant Double Concerto in B-flat. The programme also features Rossini’s Overture The Silken Ladder, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No.4 ‘Italian’, and Weber’s Andante & Rondo for bassoon and orchestra with Cerys Ambrose-Evans returning as soloist. Touring to Oban (24 June), Callander (25 June), Kingussie (26 June) and Aboyne (27 June).
The Orchestra performs under the direction of the SCO’s Bogdan Božović in Stirling (6 August), Greenock (7 August) and Forfar (8 August) in a musical programme which travels across Europe. Featuring performances of Mozart’s ‘Turkish’ Violin Concerto No.5, Three Nordic Tunes arranged by the Danish String Quartet and Haydn’s Symphony No.104 ‘London’.
Stephanie Gonley directs three orchestral masterpieces in a concert at Linlithgow (11 September) showcasing the Orchestra’s versatility and colour in performances of Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin and Haydn’s Symphony No.101 ‘Clock’. SCO Principal Cello Philip Higham performs Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No.1.
The SCO Chorus brings spiritual and intimate sound worlds to Edinburgh (19 June) and St Andrews (20 June) as part of this year’s Summer Tour. They perform Duruflé’s Requiem, Philip Glass’ Three Songs and James MacMillan’s Miserere in a concert led by conductor Gregory Batsleer with cellist Philip Higham and organist Michael Bawtree.
The SCO Strings invite audiences to experience the expressive power of the cello. Led by SCO Principal Cello Philip Higham, and joined by his colleagues Su-a Lee, Donald Gillan and Eric de Wit, the concert explores an array of cello classics and tours to Arbroath (10 June), Torry (11 June), Fraserburgh (12 June) and Nairn (13 June).
The SCO Wind Soloists visit Cumnock (29 July), Kirkcudbright (30 July), Annan (31 July) and Kelso (1 August) with a programme showcasing the art of wind music, featuring works by Jonathan Dove, Mozart, D’Indy and Gounod.
During this year’s tour, the SCO participates in Healing Arts Scotland (15-19 June), a bi-annual celebration highlighting the role of the arts in improving health and wellbeing. The initiative forms part of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s global outreach campaign in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and seeks to bring arts into public health and community wellbeing. During Healing Arts week, the SCO performs Big Ears, Little Ears, their relaxed and interactive concert for children under five, in Dundee (17 June) and bring their popular Dementia-Friendly Concert to Glenrothes (18 June).
The SCO takes to the stage at festivals across Scotland over the summer. Maxim Emelyanychev leads the Orchestra at a concert in the opening weekend of the D&G Arts Festival (23 May) and the Orchestra returns to East Neuk Festival (5 July) to perform the Festival’s closing concert alongside soprano Anna Dennis.
Tickets are on sale now via www.sco.org.uk
18 and Under free
Under 26s / students / Universal Credit £6
People with disabilities half price, essential companion goes free
Ticket prices and booking fees may vary
For further information and images please contact:
Rhiannon Turton, Communications Officer
rhiannon@rdmr.co.uk | 07946 130 905