Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail celebrating 20th anniversary
THE Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a summer tour featuring almost 100 performances, including a few dates in Caithness and Sutherland.
Running from July 22 to August 17, the Ceilidh Trail serves up traditional Scottish music in a range of settings. Fèis Rois invites tourists and local people alike to go along and enjoy a ceilidh or a concert.
Fifteen talented young musicians from across Scotland have auditioned for a paid summer job touring on the Ceilidh Trail. They are aged between 16 and 25 and many of them are studying at the country’s leading music schools.
The tour provides a professional development opportunity and a stepping stone between studying and launching a career as a performing artist.
Gigs in the far north include Forsinard Flows (August 14, 2pm), Halladale Hall (August 14, 7pm), Lyth Arts Centre (August 15, 8pm), Loch Fleet (August 16, 2pm) and Invershin Hotel (August 16, 7.30pm).
The programme also includes appearances at festivals in England and France as well as Scotland.
The first Ceilidh Trail was organised by Fèis Rois exactly 20 years ago, and the model has since been adapted by other organisations across Scotland. Musicians who took part in the first Ceilidh Trail included Mairearad Green, Rachel Newton, John Somerville, Barry Reid and Gaelic superstar Julie Fowlis, who also co-ordinated the project.
The project gives young musicians the chance to gain work experience as a touring artist. The participants begin the project with an intensive training week in Ross-shire, where they hone their skills in stage craft, dance calling and setting up their own live sound system. These workshops will prepare them for the diverse nature of their engagements.
A major draw of the Ceilidh Trail is the sheer variety of performances across the summer – from historic sites and cultural landmarks such as Fort George or Kelvingrove museum to village halls.
The Ceilidh Trail has gone on to new heights every year since its inception, and this summer is no different.
Fèis Rois says it is delighted to continue its partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, which will see Ceilidh Trail musicians perform at seven of Scotland’s national nature reserves to celebrate the link between culture, language and the landscapes. In addition, this year, Fèis Rois is collaborating with Historic Environment Scotland and the musicians will perform at Festival at the Fort on August 10 and 11. Built in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden, Fort George reaches its 250th anniversary this year.
Fèis Rois chief executive Fiona Dalgetty said: “The Ceilidh Trail has gone on to new heights every year since its inception, and this summer is no different. When the project started 20 years ago, nobody could have imagined the incredible opportunities it now provides for young aspiring musicians.
“It is a hugely successful cultural tourism project and we now see visitors to Scotland planning their trips so that they can link up with our concerts throughout the summer.
“A key part of the project is linking up with tourist attraction sites and local businesses and bringing high-quality traditional music to places we know visitors will be, but where they would not usually have the chance to hear high quality, authentic, traditional music.”
Participant Grace Stewart-Skinner from Muir of Ord said: “I’m really excited to take part in this year’s Ceilidh Trail. Having grown up in Ross-shire, I have been involved with Fèis Rois for a long time and cannot wait to spend the summer travelling and performing across the region.
“Clarsach players like Fraya Thomsen and Siannie Moodie who I have learnt from and have been inspired by have taken part in the Ceilidh Trail before, and it’s fantastic to follow in their footsteps.”
The full Ceilidh Trail programme can be found here.