The leading Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti is to play at the Ayrshire music festival founded by composer Sir James MacMillan.

MacMillan revealed the programme for the 2016 Cumnock Tryst Festival last night, a line-up which will also include the renowned opera singer Sir Willard White.

The festival was founded by the composer in his home town in 2014 and, as in previous years, will be staged in venues across Cumnock and Auchinleck, as well as Dumfries House, from September 29 to October 2.

Benedetti, who grew up in Ayrshire, will be appearing with her piano trio.

The award-winning musician is also a patron of the festival.

The 2016 Cumnock Tryst will feature "more than two thousand years of music from the ancient Celtic carnyx to premieres of new commissions."

The composer said: "I am delighted to announce that our Festival Patron, Nicola Benedetti, will be joining us again this year, performing with Leonard Elschenbroich and Alexei Grynyuk.

"When Nicola won the BBC Young Musician of the Year over a decade ago, Scotland was rightly proud.

"She has gone on to a stellar international career, but she has never forgotten her roots."

Ms Benedetti added: "I have watched The Cumnock Tryst grow into something magical in the three short years of its existence.

"I am honoured to be part of this extraordinary achievement, where first class performances combine with genuine community engagement to produce this rare and wonderful festival. It is a delight to return to perform in 2016."

The centrepiece of the 2016 Festival will be a performance by the festival chorus, which will give the Scottish Premiere of Cecilia McDowall’s Stabat Mater under the baton of Eamonn Dougan of The Sixteen.

Joining them in the performance will be the Genesis Sixteen, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Camerata and the RSNO Junior Chorus.

Soloist in the performance will be the world famous Jamaican Bass-Baritone, Sir Willard White.

Sir James added: "It is a great pleasure to announce that Sir Willard White will make his Cumnock Tryst Festival debut this year.

"As well as performing with the Festival Chorus he will treat us to his very special interpretation of the first book of Aaron Copland’s American Songs.

"I am looking forward enormously to conducting his performance of these wonderful songs."

This year’s artists in residence are Headspace and Pandora’s Box, both of which feature brass player John Kenny.

The two groups will perform a wide-ranging programme for the opening event at the 2016 Festival on 29 September including the World Premiere of The Barony A Frame by local composer, Scott Lygate.

Commissioned specially by The Cumnock Tryst, the work is inspired by the structure from East Ayrshire’s mining past which is situated between Auchinleck and Ochiltree.

Lygate visited the site and took sound recordings of the frame, which he "struck percussively."

He has incorporated these sounds into his music which will be performed in Cumnock Town Hall.

A key member of Headspace is Clarence Adoo MBE.

A trumpeter, who had performed with leading jazz musicians including Courtney Pine, he was involved in a car accident at the age of 35 which left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Adoo now performs on the specially created Headspace, a wind instrument controlled by his breath.

Adoo and John Kenny will be working with Drake Music Scotland on a series of workshops with children and adults with special needs from Hillside School and Riverside Centre, and with senior pupils from Cumnock Academy.

"We are also delighted that the remarkable Clarence Adoo will be joining us this year,” said Sir James.

"The way in which he surmounted the challenges following his devastating accident and continued to participate fully in music making is an inspiration to us all.

"We look forward to his contribution to the 2016 festival and in particular to hearing the outcomes of the Bell Tree project which will be presented in a very special concert at Cumnock Academy on 30 September."

Tickets can be bought from 23 June.