Holidays are about experiences and people, and tuning into what you feel like doing at that moment. Enjoy not having to look at a watch.

I often play on the cello-bass side of the orchestra, because I prefer the deep sounds. I can't hear the violins well.

Percussion is physical, as most instruments are. The body must function well in order to play the instruments well. Last year I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

Hearing is a form of touch. You feel it through your body, and sometimes it almost hits your face.

The human body and mind are tremendous forces that are continually amazing scientists and society. Therefore, we have no choice but to keep an open mind as to what the human being can achieve.

A large part of my work has been collaborating with composers; I think we've commissioned about 140 pieces now, a lot of them percussion concertos.

Apart from Scottish traditional music, I wasn't really influenced by any kind of music. I just basically followed my own instincts.