Popular annual music festival is heading for a sell-out crowd

Dougie MacLean thrilled by the line-up attracted to extravaganza

Tickets are selling fast for a popular music festival set to take place in Perthshire for the 12th time.

Perthshire Amber – The Dougie MacLean Festival has already sold out 11 concerts and its organisers are confident they will have a full house at all of this year’s shows.

Renowned singer songwriter Dougie MacLean, who is the musical director and founder of the event, will be joined by an array of musical talent, including Julie Fowlis, who will perform in the atmospheric Murthly Castle Chapel and Perth Concert Hall, Duncan Chisholm, who takes to the stage in Dunkeld Cathedral and Castle Menzies, along with Tim Edey who will perform at the Crannog on Loch Tay and other venues.

Cilla Fisher and Archie Trezise, of Singing Kettle fame, will also be joining the all-star cast at the Dougie MacLean and Friends concert on Saturday November 5 with one of the festival’s highlights, the Caledonia Cantata, taking place the previous day.

Both of these events will be held at Perth Concert Hall.

This year the festival will run for four days rather than 10 due to the organisers condensing and refining the line-up.

The festival’s opening concert, taking place on November 3, will feature Siobhan Wilson, of Glasgow, who will perform in the Garden Marquee at Dunkeld House.

And emerging talent will have an opportunity to shine at Cabaret Amber, which will run in the evenings.

In addition, pub sessions will continue in Dunkeld and its surrounding villages.

Dougie MacLean said: “Ticket sales are going really well this year and lots of people are coming for all four days, so lots of concerts are selling out ahead of time. The line-up is fantastic and I am really looking forward to playing with this eminent crowd of musician friends.

“Perthshire is a joy at this time of year, so we are really looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to enjoy some great music and a very warm welcome.”

For information call 01350 724281 or visit www.perthshireamber.com.

Dougie MacLean fully expects the annual festival to be a sell-out once again.