Six setting off on ceilidh trail
Young musicians from across Stirling and Trossachs will take to the road this week as part of the Fèis Fhoirt Stirling & Trossachs Cèilidh Trail’s summer tour.
Six talented musicians and singers will entertain audiences with Gaelic music, song and dance over the next couple of weeks at venues across the region including Stirling, Killin, Aberfoyle, Loch Katrine and Callander.
The trails, which receive support from Creative Scotland and HIE, allow young musicians to develop their skills, as well as provide widespread traditional music entertainment in the Highlands and beyond.
The Fèis Fhoirt Stirling and Trossachs Cèilidh Trail members taking part are Nadia French (clàrsach), Megan Leishman (fiddle), Robbie Subke (fiddle and accordion), Evie Waddell (clàrsach, fiddle and voice), Mairi Docherty (clàrsach, fiddle and voice) and Gregor Rodger (guitar).
This year will be the ninth time that a Cèilidh Trail has come to the Stirling and Trossachs area, with the scheme also travelling to Ross-shire, Skye, Paisley, Lochaber, Nairn and Argyll.
Also, 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the scheme, pioneered by arts programme Fèis Rois based in Dingwall.
It has since been adopted by a number of other Fèisean across the country.
The scheme provides musicians and singers, aged 16 to 25, with an opportunity to take part in professional summer tours through their area Fèis with, along with support from a team of musicians and specialist tutors.
Those taking part will also have the opportunity to acquire a Professional Development Award in performance or sound production, via a collaboration with West Highland College.
Ally Forsyth and Owen Sinclair, ceilidh trail co-ordinators, said: “Our Fèis Fhoirt Stirling & Trossachs Cèilidh Trail is raring to go and entertain audiences this summer. They’ve recently gone through a week of intensive training and preparation at Fèis Alba in Plockton with musicians from cèilidh trails from around Scotland.
“The cèilidh trail is a phenomenal opportunity for these young musicians to get a taste of what life as a professional touring musician can be like.
“Not only do they play the gigs but they are involved in the organisation, marketing and tech side of the tour – it’s hard work but great fun at the same time and I’m sure people who come along to the gigs won’t be disappointed.
“There is a mix of sessions, formal and informal concerts as well as family ceilidhs so there is something for everyone – you might even learn a song and dance or two.”
Dates and venues for Fèis Fhoirt Stirling & Trossachs Cèilidh Trail are:
Sunday, July 21 Sir Walter Scott Steamship, Loch Katrine, informal concert, 10.30am
Sunday, July 21 St Mary’s Espicopal Chruch, Aberfoyle, concert, 3pm
Thursday, July 24 Courie Inn, Killin, informal concert, 3pm
Thursday, July 24 Big Shed, Killin, concert, 7pm
Friday, July 25 Blair Drummond Safari Park, Blair Drummond, informal concert, 1pm
Friday, July 25 Kippen Village Hall, Kippen, concert, 7pm
Wednesday, July 31 Dunblane Cathedral, Dunblane, concert, 7pm
Saturday, August 3 Tolbooth, Stirling, concert, 7.30pm