Scotland's leading airline is helping a Shetland-based theatre group really take-off by sponsoring their productions. 

Loganair will be providing the Skeklers Theatre Company with a sponsorship deal worth £7,000 over the next two years in the form of air travel for members of the company.

The flights will be used to further the company's efforts to bring high-quality professional theatre productions to school children across the Shetland Islands.

The company's main production this year will be "Zander's Boat", which will be staged in Brae, Yell and Uist between September 27 and 30 and in Walls, Sandwick and Lerwick between October 2 and 9.

Skeklers Theatre Company received charitable status in 2003, after its formation in 1999 to perform the Shetland-based play "Wir Midder da sea" as part of the Tall Ships Festival.

Heading-up the company is artistic director, Grace Barnes, who has worked with prestigious bodies such as Australian Opera and the Theatre Workshop, as well West End impresario Sir Cameron MacKintosh.     

Skeklers is managed by a board of directors which includes writer and broadcaster Iain MacWhirter and the SNP's Michael Russell.  

Jim Cameron, chief executive of Loganair, said: "We are delighted to be helping to further the work of Skeklers Theatre Company. This is an extremely worthwhile cause - bringing theatre and the arts to some of  Shetland's most remote communities.

"The group also specifically targets schools, giving the students a chance interact and role-play with the actors and directors, as well as offering them the opportunity to view professional theatre productions, which is an excellent accompaniment  to their curriculum."

The group's main aims are to produce high-quality professional theatre, which originates in Shetland and to offer employment opportunities to local people who regularly have to leave the islands to pursue their chosen career in the arts. 

"Our last production toured to the islands of Yell, Unst and Whalsay and we hope to replicate that success and more with 'Zander's Boat'," added Grace Barnes.

"There has been a lack of theatre productions in the area in the past, so we at Skeklers are committed to changing this and with the help of Loganair we hope to facilitate greater access through touring. The sponsorship will also go towards our established education programme,
where we familiarise secondary-school pupils with professional performances.

"The company is also keen to offer training to locals who wish to learn more or develop a career in theatre, such as sending a pupil to the Scottish Youth Theatre on the mainland, and Loganair's assistance here will be invaluable."