Inverness-born composer Lorne Balfe auctioning movie memorabilia to drum up funds for Scotland's hospices

An Inverness-born composer who has scored for Hollywood blockbusters including Top Gun: Maverick and Mission Impossible is orchestrating a star-studded fundraiser for hospices across Scotland.

Grammy Award-winner Lorne Balfe has launched an online Burns Night silent auction in aid of Scotland’s Hospices Together, with lots ranging from memorabilia signed by Tom Cruise to items donated by sporting greats such as Gavin Hastings.

He has long supported Highland Hospice, which cared for his father David before his death in 2019.

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David Balfe was himself a celebrated songwriter, best known for penning famous football anthems, Chelsea FC’s ‘Blue Is The Colour’ and ‘Beautiful Sunday’.

Lorne followed in his father’s musical footsteps and studied with Hans Zimmer, with whom he continues to collaborate. He has scored films such as as Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Black Widow, and The Lego Batman Movie.

Lorne, 49, says he wanted to expand his annual fundraising efforts after realising how many of the artists and celebrities who support his events have personal links to hospice care.

He says: “I have always been donating things to auction from memorabilia from films that I have worked on. Then, last year, we held a Burns Night in London. It did very well. But the one thing I found is that a lot of people that I was banging on the door for favours, people like Marti Pellow and KT Tunstall, they all had a hospice they were connected to.

“That’s why this year I thought I would broaden it and involve all of the hospices and also the children’s hospices.”

Https://www.facebook.com/yourhighlandhospice/posts/pfbid02FvKTNm2hTQBiFdVMi27ZGUt9uJwdEq57sGeTTDPm5AB2qoTqXQJERFLdmCraSBAQl

Signed Avatar memorabilia among items to be sold in Balfe’s online auction for Scotland’s hospices

His 2025 Burns Night was attended by stars including Brian Cox, James McAvoy, Marti Pellow, KT Tunstall and Dougray Scott among others, raising around £100,000 for Highland Hospice.

The 2026 Burns Night Silent Auction is live online until February 6, with standout lots including an exclusive day at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and a Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack vinyl signed by Tom Cruise and Lorne Balfe.

Visit the Balfe Burns Night 2026 Silent Auction here.