YOUNG singers hope to hit the high notes in a fling round the Highlands this weekend.

The mixed-voice Durham School choir headed north of the Border yesterday at the start of a short Easter holiday trip to Scotland.

A 40-strong ensemble led, appropriately, by the school's Scottish assistant director of music, Robert Duff, chose Caledonia ahead of Rome for this year's performing tour.

Their first port of call was Edinburgh, where they sang during last night's Evensong service at St Mary's Cathedral.

Travelling further north, they take in Inverness, tonight, after a sight-seeing stop at Loch Ness, and will then be heard in concert at Dornoch Cathedral, in Sutherland, tomorrow afternoon.

The prospect of a return to his homeland was enough to persuade Mr Duff and choir member Robert Frater, who has Scottish roots on his father's side, to get in the mood by donning their kilts for final rehearsal at the school on Thursday.

Eighteen-year-old Robert, from Hartlepool, sported the family's McNaughton tartan, while Mr Duff opted for the Black Watch colours, as his brother is a member of the famous Scottish regiment.

Robert, a musical all-rounder, also brought a set of bagpipes.

Mr Duff said it would give the choir a chance to perform the full breadth of its varied repertoire.

"While we will be sticking very much to the cathedral script for the Evensong service, at Dornoch, we will be performing everything from John Rutter, to Bach, Dyson and maybe some Godspell."