This year’s fèis saw new classes in composing, song-writing, CD and technical production, all of which were extremely successful. Amongst the new tutors this year were Runrig drummer Iain Bayne, who led classes on pipe-band drumming, and Stephen Fyvie on percussion.

Amongst the highlights of the final performance were the groupwork sessions, led by Mhairi Hall, Michael Bryan, Terry Small and his daughter Fraya Thomsen, and featuring almost 60 young players. The sets featured the participants’ arrangements of traditional favourites.

All three fèisean this year – junior, senior and adult – have been organised by Allison Watson, the Fèis Rois programme manager, and tribute was paid to her at the end of the cèilidh and to the departing director of Fèis Rois, Rita Hunter.

“After twenty years of loyal service Rita is moving on from Fèis Rois,” said a spokesman. “Her contribution to the success of the organisation in that time has been immense and she has been an inspiration to a generation of young Highland musicians.

“During her stewardship the organisation has become the foremost fèis in Scotland with a formidable track record in pioneering traditional music education activities for young people, many of whom owe their involvement – and careers – in traditional music to the interest she helped to stimulate.”

Later this year a Fèis Rois DVD will be released that charts the growth of the organisation and which features an extended set from their landmark concert at the Celtic Connections festival in January. More details will be available on the website in November.

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