The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Ceilidh Trail ends with album
● Online concert will mark 21st anniversary of traditional music celebration
An online concert and double album will help celebrate the 21st anniversary of a pioneering traditional music programme that would otherwise have been derailed by Covid-19.
The Ceilidh Trail, organised by Gaelic arts organisation Feis Rois, is a yearly summer opportunity to celebrate outstanding young traditional musicians.
This year’s plan was to hold performances throughout Scotland, England and France but the programme was cancelled in April due to the pandemic. Instead Feis Rois will release a double album next month, featuring tracks donated by 21 former Ceilidh Trail participants.
They include Highland duo Charlie Grey and Joseph Peach and Dingwall guitarist Innes White, as well as Treacherous Orchestra, Inyal, The Outside Track, Project Smok and Fras.
To coincide with the album launch, an online concert will be held on August 15, which would have been the date of the final trail performance at Eden Court in Inverness.
The concert will feature 14 former participants, including BBC Radio Scotland Traditional Musician of the Year Ali Levack from Maryburgh; BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners Josie Duncan, Brighde Chaimbeul and Rachel Newton and TV presenter and singer Kim Carnie.
Feis Rois chief executive Fiona Dalgetty said of the album: “It showcases the incredible talent that has come from the Ceilidh Trail over the years.
“We hope our audiences will tune in for this very special concert on the August 15 and celebrate the musical talent from Scotland with us.”
The first Ceilidh Trail was coordinated by Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis and included accordionist John Somerville.
Meanwhile, two Gaelic groups have received funding from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Youth Development Fund, through Creative Scotland.
Ceolas Uibhist, which received £17,000, will work with young people from Uist and Benbecula to create a new piece.
And £7,533 has been awarded to Feisean nan Gaidheal’s Pitzcalzean masterclass weekend.