11 Apr 2025, 12:55Pr Wilfred Masih, Edited by SM CommunicationsHighland, Scotland, United Kingdom
Adventist Musicians Bring Gospel Music to Loch Ness
On April 6th, the serene shores of Loch Ness became the backdrop for a spontaneous moment of worship.
On Sunday, April 6th, the peaceful shores of Loch Ness became an unexpected setting for a moment of musical worship.
As a small group of local church members and visitors gathered on the beach, the Ukrainian Adventist Choir – fresh from their performance the day before at the Gospel Fest at the Inverness Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church – began to sing, their harmonies drifting across the loch. The choir’s songs, performed in both Ukrainian and English, caught the attention of passers-by, some of whom paused to listen, drawn by the serene atmosphere.
Lucas and Jordana Machado, who had also performed the previous day, added their own musical contribution to the gathering. With Lucas playing guitar and Jordana’s voice rising gently above the water, their simple yet heartfelt music enriched the experience, providing a peaceful space for quiet reflection among those present.
It may have been the first time gospel music was performed on the shores of Loch Ness. For those in attendance, it was a meaningful experience, where the rich tradition of gospel music blended with the natural splendour of the Scottish Highlands.
Pastor Wil Masih, who organised the outing, reflected on the occasion: “Singing gospel songs on the edge of one of Scotland’s most iconic natural wonders was a dream realised. It was a moment of connection – not only with each other, but with God, the Creator of all this beauty. We felt His presence in the sunshine, in the voices raised to heaven and in the people who stopped to listen.”
As the melodies ebbed and flowed, the Loch Ness – famed worldwide for its myths and mysteries – added a sense of reverence. But on this day, it was not legends or loch monsters that drew attention, but a living expression of faith in the open air.
“We didn’t come here expecting to find a crowd,” said Pr Ratko Risteski who had helped arrange for the Ukrainian Adventist Choir to be in the Highlands. “We just wanted to praise God and enjoy His creation. The fact that others listened, was a gift.”
The Ukrainian Adventist Choir, many of whom have sought refuge in Scotland, expressed their gratitude for the chance to share their faith through song. Their music, filled with emotion and strength, carried messages of hope and resilience.
As the afternoon passed, some lingered to speak with choir members, while others sat in quiet reflection, absorbing the peaceful atmosphere. In a world filled with noise and distraction, the gospel songs offered a moment of calm and connection.
While it is uncertain whether this will become an annual tradition, those who were present on that sunny Highland day will surely remember the occasion when gospel music resonated across the waters of Loch Ness.
On April 6th, the serene shores of Loch Ness became the backdrop for a spontaneous moment of worship.
On Sunday, April 6th, the peaceful shores of Loch Ness became an unexpected setting for a moment of musical worship.
As a small group of local church members and visitors gathered on the beach, the Ukrainian Adventist Choir – fresh from their performance the day before at the Gospel Fest at the Inverness Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church – began to sing, their harmonies drifting across the loch. The choir’s songs, performed in both Ukrainian and English, caught the attention of passers-by, some of whom paused to listen, drawn by the serene atmosphere.
Lucas and Jordana Machado, who had also performed the previous day, added their own musical contribution to the gathering. With Lucas playing guitar and Jordana’s voice rising gently above the water, their simple yet heartfelt music enriched the experience, providing a peaceful space for quiet reflection among those present.
It may have been the first time gospel music was performed on the shores of Loch Ness. For those in attendance, it was a meaningful experience, where the rich tradition of gospel music blended with the natural splendour of the Scottish Highlands.
Pastor Wil Masih, who organised the outing, reflected on the occasion: “Singing gospel songs on the edge of one of Scotland’s most iconic natural wonders was a dream realised. It was a moment of connection – not only with each other, but with God, the Creator of all this beauty. We felt His presence in the sunshine, in the voices raised to heaven and in the people who stopped to listen.”
As the melodies ebbed and flowed, the Loch Ness – famed worldwide for its myths and mysteries – added a sense of reverence. But on this day, it was not legends or loch monsters that drew attention, but a living expression of faith in the open air.
“We didn’t come here expecting to find a crowd,” said Pr Ratko Risteski who had helped arrange for the Ukrainian Adventist Choir to be in the Highlands. “We just wanted to praise God and enjoy His creation. The fact that others listened, was a gift.”
The Ukrainian Adventist Choir, many of whom have sought refuge in Scotland, expressed their gratitude for the chance to share their faith through song. Their music, filled with emotion and strength, carried messages of hope and resilience.
As the afternoon passed, some lingered to speak with choir members, while others sat in quiet reflection, absorbing the peaceful atmosphere. In a world filled with noise and distraction, the gospel songs offered a moment of calm and connection.
While it is uncertain whether this will become an annual tradition, those who were present on that sunny Highland day will surely remember the occasion when gospel music resonated across the waters of Loch Ness.
