Wind & Water 2025
After the disappointment of not being able to go ahead with an October 2024 Skye course, the good news is that we are now on for May 2025 instead!!
7:15pm on Friday 16 May to c. 4pm on Sunday 18 May 2025 (non-residential)
at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Sleat, Isle of Skye, IV44 8RQ

This is a light-hearted weekend course for wind players whose enthusiasm perhaps outweighs their expertise! Wind & Water 2025 offers an opportunity for improver and intermediate-level wind players to make music in a mixed group – a cross between a wind chamber orchestra and a small band – with music carefully tailored to participants’ ability and confidence levels.
About the Course
Wind & Water 2025 is open to players aged 18 – 80+ years on orchestral woodwind, saxophones or brass/brass band instruments. The weekend is aimed primarily at players from ABRSM Grade 3 – 6 level.
Music is chosen and/or arranged to suit the ability and confidence levels of those taking part, so please don’t forget to provide details when you apply!
Repertoire
There has been a request to re-visit MacCunn’s Land of the Mountain and the Flood, which was one of the pieces for the very first Skye course. Other set works have still to be decided – watch this space for updates!
Course Information
The course fee will be £195, which includes tuition and provision of practice parts for the principal pieces. These will be e-mailed out in PDF form 7 – 10 days before the course.
Please note that the course fee does NOT include accommodation or food.
Bed and breakfast accommodation at the college can be booked separately, through Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. To enquire, tel: 01471 888000 or e-mail fios@smo.uhi.ac.uk
Alternatively, local Bed & Breakfast, hostel or hotel listings can be found on https://www.isleofskye.com, which also describes many of the attractions of the island.
In the past, participants have been able to purchase meals from the college refectory on a pay-as-you-go basis. However, uptake has tended to be extremely low, which doesn’t justify bringing staff in specially (as well as resulting in quite a bit of food wastage). So, for 2025, players are asked to make their own arrangements for lunch and dinner. If there are other events running concurrently, the refectory may be able to supply meals all the same. If this would be of interest to you, please contact the college directly.
How to Apply
To apply, e-mail info@blowandblast.co.uk giving the following information: name, address, telephone number, instrument and approximate playing standard. Making an application does not guarantee you a place – I will let you know if your application has been successful, at which point a non-returnable deposit of £30 will be required to reserve your space.
The balance of £165 should be paid by 4th April 2025. As Skye can be a popular tourist destination, we would recommend that you book accommodation before making your course payment (unless you happen to live locally or possess a camper van!)
The course is quite intensive, so if you are travelling from further afield, you might wish to consider arriving earlier in the week (or staying on afterwards), to give you time to explore the island.
Cancellations
Should participants be obliged to cancel after paying the full fee, the following terms apply:
Cancellation before 4th April 2025 – refund of £165 balance
Cancellation between 4th & 18th April 2025 – refund of £80
Cancellation on or after 2nd May 2025 – no automatic refund. Any money returned would be at the discretion of the tutor.
In the unlikely event of the Wind & Water 2025 course being cancelled (with or without notice) any fees paid would be refunded in full. However, Blow & Blast accepts no liability for other costs incurred. Players should be aware that they make their applications on this basis.
Instrument and personal safety
Applications should be made on the understanding that participants accept full responsibility for both their personal health and safety and that of their instrument throughout the weekend.
Should the college be obliged to re-introduce Covid or other health & safety precautions by the time the course takes place, players would be expected to conform to these, in the interests of everyone’s safety.
Accessibility/Special Needs
If you have special accessibility or dietary requirements that are a ‘make or break’ concern, please check with the venue before confirming your booking on the course.
Most of the music-making will take place at ground floor level in the original Àrainn Ostaig part of the campus, which has parking nearby.