Easter Fèis returns to Oban

Easter Fèis is returning to Oban and Lorn after a twoyear gap due to Covid, writes Kathie Griffiths.

Places are filling fast for Fèis Latharna's Fèis na Càisge 2022, with organisers hoping the week-long community-based tuition festival at Oban Primary Campus, from Monday April 4 to Friday April 8, will attract 150 participants aged eight to 18.

Fiddle, accordion, piping, sound engineering, bagpipes, drama and shinty are just some of the classes in traditional music and Gaelic culture to choose from, all led by skilled and experienced tutors.

Fèis Latharna chairman Davy Macdonald said: 'For some it gives them the opportunity to take up an instrument and get first-class tuition; for others it will give them the chance to progress on existing skills. Instruments are provided and if they like it they can then go on to attend our Saturday classes held throughout the year.' And he added: 'All this from a volunteer committee and a dedicated group of parent helpers!’

Established as an annual event in 1994, Fèis Latharna did manage to keep its Saturday classes going online and also produced a collaborative music video showing off student talent from our area. You can watch it at www. feislatharna.org

Accordion classes were just one of 17 different choices for young people to enjoy at the Easter Fèis in 2019.

Book a child's place before tomorrow, Friday March 18, and there is an early bird price of £80 for the week. The third or more children from the same family are offered places for free and thanks to Argyll Community Housing Association, there are some subsidised places available at £10. Argyll and Bute Council also supports the festival's parent body Fèisean nan Gaidheal.