THE Cairngorms are alive to the sound of music thanks to the efforts of the national park's head ranger.

Amateur composer Nic Bullivant has penned a symphony in five movements in homage to the area he loves.

The public will now be able to hear The Cairngorms Traverse, which is played as a 50-minute-long tone poem, at Pitlochry Town Hall on April 26.

It will be performed by Scottish ­players under the professional direction of conductor Susan Dingle. Mr Bullivant said: "In 2006 I set out to describe an overnight walking tour of the mountains and some of the thoughts that surround this wonderful place.

"So there is the start of the day and the long walk in, the feeling of elation at reaching the high ground and a dawdle by an isolated loch. I wanted to describe a gale, which is the most difficult part for everyone concerned, and I wanted to convey the depth of the night-time, which, for me reveals the real quality of the high mountains."

Mr Bullivant is hoping the event will attract a large orchestra willing to programme the symphony some time in the future.