This September sees the return of the celebration of Gaelic culture, language and music across the Highlands as Blas Festival returns, with two new strands which will see young creatives get the chance to experience life on tour and an evening of conversation and music, delving into the lives of some of Scotland’s, and Canada’s, top traditional musicians.
This year there will be over 30 concerts and cèilidhs across the Highlands, between 4th and 12th September, including a new piece of musical work by Inverness fiddle player Graham Mackenzie; a celebratory concert to mark 40 years of Ross-shire arts organisation Fèis Rois; BBC weather presenter Calum MacColl on opening night; Black Isle fiddle player, Lauren MacColl; a special concert featuring songs of Barra singer Flora Macneil, sung by her daughter Maggie MacInnes; and much more.
Còmhraidhean aig a’ Chaisteal (meaning Conversations at the Castle) will see Lochaber multi-instrumentalist and presenter, Ingrid Henderson, interview and perform at Inverness Castle with celebrated musicians and tradition bearers, including Margaret Stewart, Canadian fiddle player and tutor Stan Chapman alongside Amy Geddes and Alison Macleod, and Gaelic vocal harmony group, Sian.
Drama air Chuairt (Drama on Tour) will offer four young Gaelic actors the opportunity to tour the Highlands during the festival, providing them with real-life touring experience, from production to performance.
Calum Alex Macmillan, Fèisean nan Gàidheal chief executive, said: “After running for over 20 years we are always looking for new ways to celebrate our Highland culture and provide opportunities for creatives. Thanks to two-year funding from Creative Scotland’s Expanded Festivals Fund, we are looking forward to these two new strands to the festival; one which will celebrate well-known musicians and the other which will give young creatives the chance to get a taste of what life as a professional on tour could be like.”