THE whole of north Sutherland rang with music from Monday to Friday last week as Fèis air an Oir staged its biggest event to date with virtually every community enjoying a taste of the very best of Highland culture from noted exponents in that field.

It wasn’t just a demonstration by acknowledged artists but a tremendous opportunity for aspiring musicians, young and old, to hone their skills with guidance from the most proficient of tutors.

A residential element was part of the plan with participants accommodated at the Tongue Youth Hostel with transport provided daily to Farr High School, the prime teaching venue, by local community company Transport 4 Tongue. At Farr, each day followed a similar pattern with all those present taking their choice of four hour-long teaching sessions punctuated by two short breaks and one much longer one which allowed for lunch plus Fèis Together, where everyone took the floor for an enthusiastic bout of traditional dancing.

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The evenings were also filled with activity starting with a music session in the Ben Loyal Hotel on Tuesday night followed by a ceilidh dance in Tongue Public Hall on Wednesday and a further drop-in session at The Store Café in Bettyhill on Thursday night. Friday afternoon in Farr High Hall allowed all those who had attended the classes in school during the week to demonstrate what they had learned – which they did very well before a large audience of parents and friends. And there was still the sell-out tutors’ concert in Strathy Hall on Friday night which, as well as giving the experts the chance to display their virtuosity, also provided learners with a second chance to air some of what they had been taught.

That event was streamed live online via Fèis TV, a new experience for Fèis air an Oir.

Speaking on behalf of Fèis air an Oir, Carol-Anne Farquhar said: "What a week! I just want to give a big thank you to all the fabulous tutors, supervisors and helpers whose attitudes and actions were so inspiring to Fèis participants. And to the providers of food, transport and accommodation who made this first five-day residential Fèis possible on our beautiful north coast. We’re working on next year’s dates."

Funding came from SSE Strathy North Community Benefit Fund, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Highland Council, Creative Scotland, Bord na Gaidhlig, Wildlands, Bettyhill Renewables Community Fund, Strathy and Armadale Community Council and Melvich Community Council.

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