Delight as Dingwall arts group Feis Rois secures £1m three-year grant deal
THE immediate future of an acclaimed Dingwall-based arts group with a global reach has been secured thanks to a vote-of-confidence £1m grant deal covering three years.
The £1,043,958 awarded to Feis Rois by Creative Scotland for 2025-2028 represents an uplift of 51 per cent on its current funding.
There was also good news for Ullapool-based arts organisation An Talla Solais which has been added to the groups receiving three-year deals and has secured £150,000 for its work.
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Fèis Rois chief executive, Fiona Dalgetty, said: “Following an understandably tense 18-month wait, we are incredibly grateful to Creative Scotland for recognising the value of our work and investing in Fèis Rois for 2025-2028. This vital support will enable us to embark on an exciting three-year plan, building on our established programmes and launching new projects that will further celebrate and nurture the rich musical traditions of the Highlands and bring people together through music.
“We are committed to delivering a broad range of high-quality, ambitious work that enriches lives and strengthens communities. Throughout 2024, Fèis Rois engaged 6646 school pupils in formal education settings, as well as providing opportunities for 1575 people in informal learning settings to participate in regular traditional music-making activities. We provided paid work for 180 freelance musicians, artists and creative practitioners. This included 26 paid opportunities for students and graduates.
“In addition, many thousands of people enjoyed hearing musicians of all ages from Fèis Rois perform at local community events and on national and international stages, and over the next three years, we will continue to offer traditional music and arts education both locally and nationally, whilst collaborating with international partners to continue sharing our work on a global stage.
“We are committed to doing our part to reduce loneliness and social isolation, recognising the significant positive impact involvement and participation in the arts can have on people’s health and wellbeing; by creating spaces where people can come together, enjoy making music, and form meaningful connections with one another, we will continue to offer opportunities for all.
“We strive to ensure people from all parts of society have the opportunity to take part in traditional music and Gaelic language activities and provide tailored support and opportunities for those who need it most.”
Fèis Rois says it will continue to provide platforms for both learners and professional artists to perform, compose, experiment, and create.
Building on the success of previous commissions The Voyage of The Hector, The (Brahan) Seer, and Gneiss, Fèis Rois now plans to commission former participants from the Highlands who are working as professional musicians to collaborate with musicians and composers from Guyana to tell the story of Highlanders who engaged in, or benefitted from, the slave trade in the Caribbean Islands and Guyana, and give voice to those who suffered from these crimes against humanity; “a necessary piece of work to shine a light on this difficult aspect of history”.
As well as new projects, the charity’s three-year plan builds on popular and successful established activities, including the weekly classes programme, Fèis Club, residential music weeks, Gaelic weekends, school programmes, and The Lullaby Project. Some other new initiatives include the publication of a tune book; a big birthday celebration as Fèis Rois turns 40 in 2026; expanding on international minority language cultural collaborations; and more.
Former Fèis Rois participant and now chief executive, Fiona Dalgetty, from Nigg, added: “We are passionate about making a lasting impact on the lives of individuals, communities, and the traditional music landscape across Ross-shire and beyond, and this funding marks a significant milestone in moving forward with our future plans.
“We are also excited for our colleagues across a number of Highland organisations who have also been successful in their applications to Creative Scotland. The 13 Highland organisations awarded funding by Creative Scotland have secured investment totalling more than £10m for the region for the period 2025-2028.
“We look forward to continuing to work together to support Highland artists, and to expand access to the arts and creative activities for people in our communities. Like Fèis Rois, Atlas Arts, Eden Court Theatre, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Highland Print Studio, Moniack Mhor, The Touring Network and Timespan all remain in the portfolio of funded organisations and receive an uplift to help with the impact of having had standstill funding for many years.
“I would particularly like to congratulate An Talla Solais, Artsplay Highland, Cromarty & Resolis Film Society, Lyth Arts Centre and Seall for their funding success in becoming new organisations in the portfolio.
“I am excited to see the diverse opportunities that, between us, we can provide as we continue to bring social, cultural and economic benefits to our region.”
Feisean Nan Gaidheal, the organisation which supports the development of community-based Gaelic arts tuition festivals throughout Scotland, has been awarded £2.2m over the same period.
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