Taynuilt Ceilidh gets ready to party
The Taynuilt Ceilidhs have a star-studded line up ready to celebrate their 90th birthday party.
Mega-talented Donald Shaw and Karen Matheson of Capercaillie-fame are just some of the performers who will be at the party night on Saturday March 21.
Other names joining them on the stage at Taynuilt Village Hall are Angus MacColl and an Oban High School Pipe Band select, Isla Sinclair dancers, Paddy and Libby Shaw, Eilidh Shaw plus husband Ross Martin, with Calum Alec MacMillan.
And there could well be more surprises, says Moira Dunlop, who along with husband Sandy, are long-serving members of Taynuilt Ceilidh’s core organising committee, An Comunn Meur Chruachain.
The tradition of the family-friendly Taynuilt Ceilidihs likely stretches back further than March 19, 1930, when the the Cruachan Branch of An Comunn Gàidhealach, the organisers of the Royal National Mòd, was founded to promote and support the Gaelic language and culture.
To this day, the village’s ceilidhs are as vibrant as ever, entertaining locals and tourists during the winter and summer months.
In the winter, ceilidh organisers invite artistes from other parts of the country, as well as involving local musicians, dancers and Gaelic singers, giving people around Taynuilt the opportunity to hear and get to know musicians and singers from further afield.
For many young musicians, singers and dancers performing on its stage, it can be their first time on the public platform and is a handy step for many towards the Mòd.
In the summer, the weekly programmes are mostly made up of musicians from the area’s own doorstep, providing the opportunity for the young – and the not-so-young – to debut their talents from Scottish to classical and even hit songs from the shows.
Regular faces in the audience travel from near and wide, including one couple who journey from Spean Bridge, and south of Kimelford.
Support for the organising committee also comes in the form of willing helping hands from members of the village’s Gaelic choir and well-wishers who donate raffle prizes and homebaked treats – then there is serving up refreshments at half-time, washing up duties and clearing chairs away at the end. ‘It’s a team-effort,’ said Moira, whose links with the ceilidhs go back to when she first sang there.
Over more than 20 years she has become chief talent-spotter and the ceilidh convener, scouting artists and tempting well-known names to join them for an evening. Many big names on the Trad scene have a connection to the Taynuilt Ceilidh, including Donald Shaw and Karen Matheson.
Money made at the event is pumped back into the community, making donations to groups and projects such as Oban High School Pipe Band, choirs, the fèis and mòds, keeping Gaelic alive and kicking.
In 2018, The Taynuilt Ceilidhs were shortlisted for the prestigious MC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, nominated for Community Project of the Year.
‘Our 90th birthday celebration is going to be a super night. We want to keep the old-familiar friendly ceilidh atmosphere. We’ve had a particularly good year this year and we’re hoping to keep it up for the next 10 years at least so we can get to 100!’ said Moira.
‘Gold dust’ tickets for the 90th celebration ceilidh are limited. Find out more at facebook.com/ thetaynuiltceilidhs