Millport's Musical Advent Calendar returns for 2024

The latest contribution comes from one of the island's best known figures in Alastair Chisholm BEM.

Alistair is an organist for the Cathedral of The Isles, and was also a music teacher at Largs Academy for many years.

Alistair received the British Empire Medal in 2016 for services to music and culture on the Isle of Cumbrae.

Islander Paul Hart posts daily music videos online from December 1 to 24 to add an extra seasonal feel-good factor to the run up to Christmas.

Paul Hart (Image: Facebook)

Each day during advent, individuals, community groups, schools and even Paul himself perform.

Contributions over recent years have come from a wide variety of people, including pupils at Cumbrae Primary School, members of the Boys' Brigade, Rainbows and Brownies, the Sonoro Outreach Choir, and the director of music at the Cathedral of the Isles, Alastair Chisholm.

The idea was first launched by Paul to lift the island's spirits during lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, and due to its popularity in showcasing all walks of life on the island and the musical talent that is harboured in Millport, it has continued every year since.

On December 3's post, it reads: "We are fortunate to feature Alastair Chisholm who is at the centre of much that happens on the island, including directing Music at The Cathedral of The Isles.

"Today he first plays The Christ Child's Lullaby from the Scottish composer Ronald Stevenson's South Uist Folk Song Suite.

"This is a short and beautiful piece of music of just over one minute. So as an extra special treat we will also include Alastair's performance from last year's calendar, In Dulci Jubilo: The Shepherds at the Manger from Liszt's Weihnachtsbaum."

Watch the video below.