Fèis-inating!

If you want to discover the future Gaelic stars of tomorrow, look no further than a local Fèis.

COME and visit the world of the fèis where a love of Gaelic arts and performance is celebrated and instilled through a network of tuition and events. Fèisean nan Gàidheal is the National Association of Scottish Gaelic Arts youth tuition festivals. The organisation was founded in 1988 to expand and support the organisation of local Gaelic arts tuition festivals and develop these community-based festivals throughout Scotland with immersive teaching courses, specialising in traditional music and culture. You might end up taking part; if not, each fèis usually ends with a concert where the participants showcase all that they have learned. Fèisean nan Gàidheal is currently putting the finishing touches to its programme for this year’s Blas – a nine-day celebration each September of the music, language, song and culture of the Highlands, taking place across a number of venues. Also eagerly awaited are the details of their year’s ceilidh trails, cèilodhean air chuairt, which show case the talents of young performers aged 16 to 25 in a professional summer tour in their local area, with the support of their tutors and teams of professional musicians. Check the Fèisean nan Gàidheal website for the final details. These events give the young musicians incredible experience to help them develop as performers at the same time creating fantastic evenings for everyone to go along and enjoy. The Scottish music scene is packed full of musicians who will tell you they got their first taste of performing in front of live audiences at these events. Fèis Fèis Ghallaibh –Thurso High School – April 21 Fèis na h-Òige – Inverness Gaelic Primary School – April 28 Fèis na h-Apainne – Strath of Appin Primary School – April 28 Fèis Thiriodh – Isle of Tiree – 2-6 July Fèis Tìr an Eòrna – Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath, North Uist – 2-6 July Fèis Eilean na Hearadh – Tarbert, Isle of Harris – 2-6 July Fèis Chataibh – Golspie High School – 2-6 July Fèis na h-Òige – Inverness Gaelic Primary School – 2-6 July Fèis Eige – Isle of Eigg – 4-6 July Fèis An Eilein – Isle of Skye – 6 July – 24 August Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain – Iochdar School - South Uist – 9-13 July Fèis Bharraigh – Castlebay Community School, Isle of Barra – 9-13 July Fèis nan Garbh Chrìochan – Acharacle Primary School – 9-13 July Fèis Gleann Albainn – Fort Augustus – 16-20 July Fèis Thròndairnis – Staffin Primary School – 23-27 July Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich – Stornoway, Isle of Lewis –23-27 July Fèis an Rubha – Sgoil an Rubha, Isle of Lewis – 30 July-3 August Fèis Lochabair – Lochaber Gaelic Primary School Caol, Fort William – 6-10 August

This list was compiled with the best available information at the time of going to press. Fèisean nan Gàidheal is still putting the finishing touches to its programme, so always check the event’s own website or with the organisers; circumstances can change.