Forbidden City performance

Acclaimed Gaelic singer, Alyth McCormack, is performing in China's famous Forbidden City tonight.

The former Royal National Mòd gold medallist joins the legendary Chieftains in concert at the former Beijing imperial palace in what is an unique once-in-a lifetime gig.

Surrounded by a 52 metre-wide moat and 10 metre-high walls, for 500 years, the historic complex was the heavily guarded home for twenty-four emperors who rule the country with an iron fist.

Entry was banned on pain of death without special permission of the emperor.

Now designated a World Cultural Heritage site for its ancient architecture and cultural history, it is one of the most important five palaces in the world.

Since 2007, Alyth McCormack has performed regularly as lead singer with the Irish folk group, the Chieftains.

At present, they are on tour in the Far East, taking in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

Alyth has been nominated for the Gaelic Singer of the Year in this year's Scots Trad Music Awards where the winners are decided by a public online vote.

Her new solo album Homelands has recently been launched.

Isles' folk singer on stage in Forbidden City

17 November 2015