IN the world of dance music, Holland seems to be the breeding ground for most international DJs who have had worldwide success.

But a Scottish DJ is breaking that mould coming from the remote island of Orkney.

With Orkney being anything but the purveyor of dance culture, Will Atkinson's childhood is perhaps the complete polar opposite from his contemporaries.

But there is little doubt that his roots have helped him create a new trance sound which has pushed him at the top of the list for bookings by international promoters.

"A lot of my music is based on Orkney itself and not being there so I guess that comes out in an emotional way," beamed the 26-year-old who now resides in Glasgow's Southside.

He added: "I put a lot of emotion into my music. It is very trance orientated. It is also very melodic and uplifting. I like to break hearts basically.

"Emotions I can't really put into words comes out in music but Orkney is a big inspiration in my music."

With little in the way of a dance scene in Orkney, except 'The Club' as Will puts it, many of his fans will be curious to know what made him first take to the decks.

"It was my mum who got me into it originally. She was pushing me into it," he said.

"We listened to Judge Jules and Pete Tong on the radio. My mum was also into disco and funk stuff in the 80s and there was a few CDs in the house for Jocelyn Brown so I got into it through that."

Will started playing around with music at the tender age of seven but he admits he naturally became obsessed with it.

He said: "I became obsessed with mixing records and the sound. I completely immersed myself into it.

"It wasn’t until I got my first gig that I realised people want to pay me for this.

"It was never a plan to make money from it, it just naturally progressed into that."

He added: "The other plan was to become a footballer. I remember having the thought in my back garden, 'Well I am either going to become a footballer or a DJ'.

"I am not that great at football so I thought I would get my head down and get on with the djing.

"There was never a plan, it is just an obsession like an addiction really."

That addiction is something that has got Will far in the world of dance music.

He has a residency with BBC Radio 1, a track that has gone viral in the form of Pat Butcher and he has just been named Glasgow-based promoters Colours new resident for 2017.

The latter honour means he will play his first gig for Colours 22nd birthday at SWG3 alongside trance heavyweights John O'Callaghan and Sneijder on March 4.

He said: "Pat Butcher was just such a ridiculous name for a track and people bought into it.

"If it wasn't called Pat Butcher, it would have never been such as success.

"But people totally got into it and now they are turning up at my gigs in Pat Butcher masks, vests and t-shirts."

He added: "It is a huge honour to be a Colours resident. I have been going to events since I moved down to Glasgow.

"It is nice to be recognised by them as a leading head in trance. For them to put trust in me and bring me on as a resident for several shows this year is pretty exciting.

"I am looking forward to getting stuck in with this next show and we have big plans for the rest of the year."

For now, however. Will can't wait to play SWG3 next month as he believes the venue has the ability to win over the hearts of Glasgow ravers.

He said: "I just caught the golden years before the closure of the Arches. I was lucky to play there three or four times.

"SWG3 has all the attributes but people are so connected to the Arches that they are not willing to let in SWG3."

He added: "SWG3 is completely the perfect replacement. The only thing the Arches has is memories and that builds up over time. People have just not had the best night of their lives in SWG3 yet."

Perhaps, ravers will have the best night of their lives when Will takes to the deck at the venue on March 4.

For tickets visit https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Glasgow/SWG3/Colours-Twenty-Two-Birthday-Party/12896620/