Retiral of Highland Music Adviser

The Highland Council's Adviser in Music, Bert Richardson, has retired after 38 years service to education.

Following a successful career in Ayrshire, Mr Richardson arrived in Highland in 1989 and since then has made very significant contributions to music in schools.

In speaking at his retirement dinner, Bruce Robertson, the Council’s Director of Education, Culture and Sport, outlined the legacy of Mr Richardson's work. 

He said: "The development of the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra, Rhythms of the North, an expanded instrumental tuition service and more recently the Centre of Excellence in traditional music at Plockton High School, all can be traced back to Bert Richardson's vision for music. 

“There are literally thousands of pupils and their parents, as well as many music teachers in Highland who have benefited directly from his work.  One of his former pupils, the world famous Scottish composer, James MacMillan, described Bert as the biggest influence in his career.  All in all, quite a legacy.”