The festival, which is held in the beautiful environment of Ruthven Parish Church in Angus, features classical music, singing, landscape painting and jewellery making.

This year, for the 19th Ruthven Festival, the proceedings will start on Friday, June 6 with a musical evening focusing on Mozart and his ladies, and will end with a celebration of Robert Burns, his songs, his poems and the music he loved.

"There are so many treats in store at the Ruthven Parish Festival this June," said Angus Hood, one of the organisers of the festival, which takes place every June and September.

"As well as the two themed concerts with the Ruthven Festival Musicians, there is a singing masterclass with the internationally-renowned singer and voice coach Dr Raimund Herincx, along with workshops for drawing, painting and jewellery making led by highly-acclaimed Scottish landscape artist Frances Law and jewellery designer, Mike Kay."

The concert on June 6 - The Opera Singers - is based on Jane Glover's book, Mozart's Women.

Angus continued: "With Ms Glover's blessing, music and narration will reveal the relationship between Mozart and the prima donnas of his day."

At this concert, the Ruthven Festival Musicians will be conducted by Howard Duthie and the principal soloists will be sopranos Alison McDonald and Moira Docherty.

At the June 8 concert - Robert Burns, the Man and his Music – the Ruthven Festival Musicians will be led by conductor Allan Young, and accompanied by soloists Alison McDonald and Paul Vaughan, tenor.

This concert will open with a toast to The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns and will include well-known songs and dance tunes from Burns's day, orchestral works from the repertoire of the 18th century Edinburgh Music Society and a sprinkling of Burns' own songs.

Music and art lovers at the Ruthven Parish Festival always enjoy meeting up with old friends and new faces at the Festival's pre-concert wine receptions, which are followed by a delicious apre-concert buffet.

However, after the Burns concert on June 8 there will be the added bonus of a little extra entertainment during the buffet, courtesy of the master of ceremonies, Jimmy Spankie.

For more information about Ruthven Parish Festival, or to book for either of the concerts or the masterclasses or workshops, contact Evelyn Hood on 01828 632558.