Ross musicians set to hit the ceilidh trail
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YOUNG musicians from across Ross are set for to showcase their talent the length and breadth of the county as they set out on the ceilidh trail this week.
The annual Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail got off to a flying start last week with concerts and ceilidhs taking place across the county.
The initiative provides young musicians aged 16–25 with the opportunity to develop skills in traditional music performance whilst also providing a high quality cultural tourism experience for visitors to Ross-shire.
Before embarking on their three-week performance tour, the young musicians spent some time working with professional musicians, including Duncan Chisholm, Gary Innes and Ingrid Henderson.
These well-known artists taught the rising stars of the future new songs and tunes, and helped them to create musical arrangements.
Through the Ceilidh Trail project, the young musicians also learn about marketing, promoting gigs, using a PA system, dance calling and stage presentation.
Taking part in this year’s Ceilidh Trail are Siannie Moodie (Conon Bridge), Innes White (Dingwall), Becky Griggs (Gairloch), Kaitlin Ross (Fearn), Megan MacKay (Tain), Scott Duncan (Newtonmore) and regular Fèis Rois nan Deugairean participant, Robbie Greig (Edinburgh).
Between them, these talented young musicians play harp, fiddle, flute, pipes, whistles, bodhran, guitar, mandolin and sing. Five of the seven participants are fluent Gaelic speakers.
Participating in the Ceilidh Trail for the first time, Kaitlin Ross said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to play in lots of different places and settings with other young musicians. I am sure I will develop in confidence as a performer by the end of the Ceilidh Trail."
Kaitlin, along with Innes White, has been successful in securing a place at the National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton High School next year.
The Ceilidh Trail model, pioneered by Fèis Rois, has now been adopted by five other communities across the Highlands, including Lochaber, Sutherland, Argyll & Bute, Skye & Lochalsh and the Cairngorm National Park.
Support from the Highland LEADER fund and Fèisean nan Gàidheal has enabled all of these Ceilidh Trails to work together on joint performances and marketing initiatives.
Full details of all Fèisean Ceilidh Trails can be found at www.feisceilidhtrails.org. Further information on the Fèis Rois programme is available at www.feisrois.org.
Where to catch the performances:
20 July 2-4pm The Ceilidh Place, Ullapool
20 July 10.30pm The Seaforth, Ullapool
24 July 12.30pm Howard Doris Centre, Lochcarron
24 July 9.30pm The Ceilidh Place, Ullapool
25 July 2-4pm Inverewe Garden, Poolewe
25 July 8-11pm Poolewe Village Hall
26 July 2-4pm Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve
26 July 9.30pm The Old Inn, Gairloch
27 July 2-4pm Gairloch Heritage Museum
27 July 9-11pm Shieldaig Bar
28 July 2-4pm Strathconon Games
29 July 2-4pm ANTA, Fearn
1 Aug 2-4pm Museum of Childhood, Strathpeffer
1 Aug 8-11pm The Duthac Centre, Tain
2 Aug 2-4pm Tarbat Discovery Centre, Portmahomack
2 Aug 8-11pm Carnegie Hall, Portmahomack
3 Aug 9.30pm Hootananny, Inverness
4 Aug 12.00pm Tartan Heart Festival, Belladrum
