There are some venues that announce themselves with fanfare and bright lights, and there are others quietly tucked away, waiting to be discovered, and The Botanic House in Inverness firmly belongs in the second category.
If you have not yet experienced live music at The Botanic House, you are missing out on what is now arguably the finest live music venue in the Highland capital.
Set in the heart of Inverness with a capacity of around 600, state of the art sound and lighting, and an atmosphere that many larger venues would envy, The Botanic House feels purpose built for live music, yet somehow remains one of Inverness’s best kept secrets.
That secret deserves to be shared.
The venue needs to be talked about more, marketed more and, above all, used more because what it offers music fans is something genuinely special.
Thursday night’s appearance by Big Country proved exactly why.
Before the main event, the audience were treated to a superb support set from The Alarm, fronted by Evan Peters, continuing the close relationship between the two bands that has endured over many years.
The Alarm were outstanding.
As expected, 68 Guns brought a huge reaction from the packed crowd, but perhaps the most moving moment came at the end of their set when they closed with Big Country’s Fragile Thing, delivering a beautiful and heartfelt rendition of the song.
Then came Big Country.
Opening with Wonderland, the band exploded onto the stage with such power and passion that the audience were instantly on their feet.
The set list was a dream for long time fans, taking in classics including Where The Rose Is Sown, Look Away, Chance, In a Big Country and, of course, Fields Of Fire.
There was not a weak moment all evening.
Chance was simply beautiful, with the entire audience joining together in full voice, creating one of those magical concert moments where performer and crowd become one.
Throughout the night, the spirit of Stuart Adamson felt ever present.
His songs remain as powerful, relevant and uplifting today as when they were first written and, for many in attendance, it genuinely felt as though he was there with us in spirit inside The Botanic House.
Big Country closed with Fields Of Fire and the reaction was extraordinary, with the crowd singing every word as if their lives depended on it and coming perilously close to lifting the roof clean off the building.
The word legend is thrown around far too easily these days.
Legendary is exactly what this show was.
If you have never seen Big Country live, put it on your bucket list immediately because they remain one of the very best live bands anywhere.
Kudos must also go to The Botanic House for bringing acts of this calibre to Inverness.
What a venue.
What a band.
What a night.
