PICTURES: Four generations on the 'Randan' as Port music festival unites community
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The Easter Ross village of Portmahomack came alive with the sound of music as the first-ever Randan Festival took place at the Carnegie Hall on Saturday, July 8.
Festival organisers Emma Foster, Jane Foster, Vivienne Bern and Lynzy Moutter of the Coaltown Daisies rallied the entire community to make the 'first of its kind' event a resounding success – with a celebration of musical talent and a sense of togetherness at its heart.
Over 120 people turned out for the brand new event – believed to be the first music themed festival to be held in the village.
The Portmahomack Gala committee took charge of the bar, generously contributing all profits towards community initiatives, such as the village's Christmas lights.
Local businesses also played their part, with the Carnegie Cafe serving up pizza for all and Highland Larder providing Seafield Game burgers. Local farmer John Mackenzie went the extra mile by offering straw bale seating, creating a rustic and cozy atmosphere.
The festival kicked off with an explosion of energy as Portmasamba, the local samba drumming band, took to the stage, setting the tone for an unforgettable day.
The Portmahomack Ceilidh Band brought their lively tunes to the mix, captivating the audience with their traditional Scottish music.
Adding a touch of nostalgia to the lineup were the local aging rockers, led by none other than Ross Duff, Emma Foster's dad, and a former landlord of the local pub.
The crowd was treated to a trip down memory lane as Oldplay, a band specializing in 70s rock covers, took to the stage, belting out iconic hits that had everyone singing along.
Eilidh Mackenzie mesmerized the audience with her ukulele performance, showcasing her extraordinary talent.
Fiddler Dave MacFarlane then led everyone out of the hall, inviting them to bask in the glorious weather while enjoying a couple of hours of enchanting outdoor music. The open session that followed saw numerous musicians, both local and those visiting the village, taking part, with an incredible range of instruments and vocal talent on display.
The festival continued on into Sunday when attendees enjoyed a much-needed "recovery breakfast" at the Tarbat Bistro and Bar, recharging their energy for the day's exciting activities.
A thrilling Welly Toss on the beach not only brought about laughter but also raised an impressive £260 for Maggie's charity, a cause close to the hearts of many.
The merchandise and wristband stall, tirelessly manned by the dedicated father and son duo of Iain Morrison and Keir, proved to be a hit, with the proceeds contributing towards next year's festival.
As evening descended, the festival reached its crescendo with several bands traveling from near and far to take part in the headline acts. The Homebirds, Rebecca Connelly, The Coaltown Daisies, and the electrifying Mad Ferret Band delivered captivating performances that had the crowd dancing and singing throughout the night.
The Randan Festival's turned out to be a true family affair, as evidenced by the presence of four generations from one family – from baby Maisie Oman Foster, just 11 weeks old, to Emma Foster, her mum Shirley Duff, and Emma's granny Peggy Oman – who recently celebrated her 93rd birthday.
Organiser Emma Foster said: "We had hoped to cover costs in the first year, but we were blown away when the tickets sold so well. Local businesses generously offered accommodations for the bands, and we raised an impressive £700 for The Carnegie Hall, contributing towards a new heating system.
"The proceeds from merchandise sales will go towards making next year's festival even bigger and better."
Jane Foster added: "What can I say more than it was a fantastic pure dead brilliant day. All those who helped make it happen and everyone who came along made it a resounding success.
"By bringing musical talent from near and far, the entire community benefited from this event. Watch this space for next year's Randan, as we promise to make it even more extraordinary!"
