A YOUNG Helensburgh musician has been busy showcasing his talent and following his recent success is now set to perform his own 30-minute slot at a festival near Inverness.

Louis Page, 14, secured his slot at the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, held on the Belladrum Estate near Inverness.

Founded in 2004, Belladrum has rapidly grown in popularity and has sold out in advance every year since 2008.

Louis, who works with an organisation called Music Plus, which mentors young musicians, was asked, through them, to perform at Belladrum on the CalMac-sponsored “busking stage” as part of an initiative to offer Scotland’s talented newcomers the opportunity to perform.

An excited Louis is eager to take to the stage at the sold out festival, where headliner acts such as Franz Ferdinand and The Pretenders will also be performing.

Louis has written three original tracks which he has been in the studio working on - but he told the Advertiser he’s preparing for his Belladrum gig like any other.

Louis said: “Preparation for this is like any gig - practice, practice, practice and lots of support from some brilliant musicians that I’ve had the opportunity to work with from Behind the Noise and Music Plus.

“I’m really excited to perform. There’s so much going on in the Scottish music scene and it’s just magic to get the chance to be part of it.

“Hopefully the sun will be shining and there will be a great atmosphere.

“People can expect some original music that I’ll get out on an EP at some stage and my own versions of a few classics.”

In March Louis performed at the Big Country gig for the Teenage Cancer Trust Charity and since then has been busy with a number of appearances in the local area and beyond.

He played the Classic Grand in Glasgow as part of the Behind the Noise event, played at the Cove Regatta in June, as part of a trio, and is a regular at the Sunday Song Club at King Tuts in Glasgow city centre.

Speaking about the performance at the Big Country gig, Louis said: “Being on a big stage that has been set up for an iconic professional band like Big Country was incredible.

“The attention to detail from the sound engineers and the expectations of a big audience just raised things to a whole new level.”

The teenager extended his thanks to his parents for their help in advancing his career.

He said: “My mum and dad encourage me a lot. They are always driving me and my gear to a gig somewhere, and I love it when friends come and see me, even if that’s just busking or doing a performance.”

After the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Louis will be playing closer to home when he takes to the stage in the Mira Mare on Friday, August 11 for Helensburgh’s Food and Drink Festival.