Talulah Riley, star of the Saint Trinian's movies premieres her directorial debut to the Edinburgh International Film Festival a week today.

Scottish Mussel stars Martin Compston, Joe Thomas of Inbetweeners fame and Riley herself in a story about an illegal freshwater pearl fishing in the Highlands. It's a romantic comedy, but one that touches on the near extinction of freshwater mussels in Scottish rivers.

Filmed on location, Riley says the film is something of a love letter to the Scottish landscape. "It would have been impossible to recreate the beautiful natural landscapes, and the rugged ambience, anywhere else," she told The Herald.

It's also something of a homecoming for Riley whose own father is Scottish. "I have very many happy childhood memories from my visits there. The humour is unique. It was such a pleasure to film in Scotland, and the locals, in both Dunoon and Glasgow, were very welcoming and supportive."

Scottish Mussel has its world premiere on Friday, June 26.

edfilmfest.org.uk

Celebrations marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of acid crofters Shooglenifty, the seventieth birthday of Gaelic singer Anne Lorne Gillies and the lasting contribution to Gaelic culture of Runrig are features of this year's Blas festival, which promotes traditional music across the Highlands and Argyll from September 4-12. The Runrig concert, Òran, which takes place at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on September 12, stars Julie Fowlis with Eamonn Doorley & Tony Byrne, Cathy Anne MacPhee and Mànran and other artists appearing over the nine days include Gaelic singers Kathleen MacInnes, Mairi MacInnes, Margaret Stewart and Eilidh Mackenzie, Irish accordionist Alan Kelly's group, Canadian singer-songwriter J.P. Cormier, The Scottish Traditional Song Collective, Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, and Dick Gaughan. www.blas-festival.com

Drummer Ken Mathieson's Classic Jazz Orchestra becomes the latest band to play at Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre on Friday, June 26 at 8pm. The converted church recently opened in the Renfrewshire village has already become popular with musicians and audiences alike for its intimate atmosphere. CJO will be playing music from a wide repertoire that ranges from Jellyroll Morton to Gil Evans. The band also has a concert at Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival on July 25. www.classicjazzorchestra.org.uk