A lively group of "straw dancers" will be strutting their straggly stuff at settings across Caithness and north Sutherland over the next week and a half.

Strawboys, a pop-up show by choreographer Rob Heaslip, is inspired by the straw-wearing guising traditions of Ireland and Shetland.

Blending folk, disco beats and stomping feet, the work is being brought to outdoor locations from Shetland and Orkney to Aberdeenshire.

There will be several free performances in Caithness and north Sutherland, starting on Wednesday afternoon at Auckengill. The dancers will be at Thurso's boating pond on Thursday and will also perform in Wick (two dates), John O'Groats, Dunnet, Halkirk, Melvich and Helmsdale.

Strawboys is the second work in a trilogy by Heaslip exploring rituals of death, life and birth among the Gaels.

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According to the team promoting it, the show features "luminous straw dancers whirling to Balkan-inspired beats" and is "a unique spin on the cultural tradition of the Strawboys, also known as Mummers, Guisers, Burdie Boys and Skekklers".

These strange-looking figures in their ornate straw costumes would be seen rambling through streets and fields.

The performance feature professional dancers Jack Anderson, Joanne Pirrie, Taylor Han and Tess Letham. Zoe Katsilerou and Eilon Morris provide the music, while the dancers' costumes and woven masks are designed by Alison Brown.

The show is open to all ages and the running time for each performance is about 25 minutes.

Strawboys is supported by Creative Scotland's Touring Fund. The tour is taking place in partnership with Shetland Arts, Lyth Arts Centre, Kristin Linklater Voice Centre, NEAT and the Barn.

Caithness and Sutherland dates:

• Wednesday, August 11: Auckengill – Bramble Cottage field (pedestrians only), 7.30pm
• Thursday, August 12: Thurso boating pond, 2pm.
• Friday, August 13: Rosebank Playing Fields, Wick, 2pm and 7.30pm
• Saturday, August 14: John O'Groats (at the foghorn), 3.45pm
• Sunday, August 15: Dunnet beach, 12.30pm
• Thursday, August 19: Sinclair Square, Halkirk, 4pm
• Friday, August 20: Melvich beach, 3.30pm, and Melvich Hotel garden, 6.30pm.
• Saturday, August 21: Wick Market Square, 1.15pm, and Braehead, 2.30pm.
• Sunday, August 22: Helmsdale Library and Community Centre, 2pm and 4pm

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