Dunkeld & District Strathspey & Reel Society

A new website has been created for the Dunkeld and District Strathspey and Reel Society (DDSRS). Dating back to circa 1940, the Dunkeld & District Strathspey & Reel Society have continued to perform at many local events throughout Perthshire for the last 60+ years. Performing Traditional Scottish Music, their main aim is to contribute to the local entertainment calendar, while helping local groups and organisations to enjoy our music while raising funds for their local community activities. They have players at all standards and while fiddles dominate the group, they always require flautists, accordionists, drummers and keyboard players. Under the guidance of Mr Gordon Walker the group continues to flourish.

The DDSRS meet at the Royal School of Dunkeld every Monday evening, at 7:30pm, throughout Autumn, Winter and Spring. We recently started a Beginners Group under the guidance of our First Violinist, Mr Neil Gonnella. The session starts at 7:00pm.

To see more details and get contact information, visit their website at:

Dunkeld & District Strathspey & Reel Society

Kevin Walsh - Clarinda's Reply Ref: CMM0001

The songs and instrumentals on “Clarinda’s Reply” were written and recorded over a period of several years.

My Grandfather’s version of “The Last Rose of Summer” was the first track recorded and “Shades of Gold and Crimson” was the last. (Though I had recorded a different version of this track previously)

Being born and raised in Scotland and having Irish connections on both sides of my family, it was almost inevitable that a Celtic influence would creep into my music, though I do have a wide range of other musical influences and I hope they surface now and again too !

In the lyrics I’ve written for the album, I unashamedly defer to the genius of Robert Burns. I hope to have captured a fraction of his spirit and in “Clarinda’s Reply” itself, see his poetry from a slightly different and new perspective.

I confess to playing all of the instruments on the album myself. As to which are “real” and which are not ..well maybe that could start some interesting conversations !

I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I’ve enjoyed producing it.

..........Kevin Walsh

Kevin Walsh - Clarinda's Reply: Track Listing

1. Clarinda's Reply
2. L-Three
3. My Lover's Silken Hair
4. The Lion and the Cross
5. All Through the Night
6. The Tower and the City
7. The Last Rose of Summer - James McHale
8. The Lion and the Cross - Anthem
9. Mediation-S
10. The Last Rose of Summer - Kevin
11. Bonny Beth's Waltz
12. Shades of Gold and Crimson
13. The Red Rose of Strathmore
14. Ae Fond Kiss
15. Clarinda's Reply - reprise

You can download individual tracks, download the entire album or order the CD from MusicInScotland.com. Click on the link below to be taken to the site. Don’t forget to leave a review!

CD and MP3 DOWLOADS

Birnam date for Top Scots Dance Group

Traditional dance aficionados – and anyone who loves live music and Gaelic song – are in for a treat on Thursday August 25th when Strathspey-based group "Dannsa" perform at the Baronial Hall of the Birnam House Hotel as part of their national "Tuath Gu Deas" (North to South) 2005 tour. The concert / ceilidh is the latest event to be presented by Birnam-based promotions group "The Fiddle Tree".

Dannsa’s scintillating step-dance footwork and vibrant Scottish dances, executed with grace and flair, are the result of years of performing and teaching experience. It is driven by the dynamic and passionate music played on pipes, fiddle, clarsach and Gaelic song. The four core members of the group, dancers Frank McConnell, Sandra Robertson, Mats Melin and Caroline Reagh will be joined for the Birnam show by piper Fin Moore, Gaelic singer Liz MacLean and top fiddler Karen Steven to present a powerful and engaging evening of dance and music.

They have been keen to ensure that almost all of the tour dates include participative ceilidh dances and workshops. All of the core group teach on a regular basis, and host an annual festival weekend (Strathspé Away) in November in Kingussie, where they are based. As Dannsa member Sandra Robertson explains: "The whole essence of Dannsa is about reaching out using traditional dance and live music to communicate the richness of our heritage to people in their own communities – to encourage folk to share it. We love what we do, so we also set out to have a good time, and try to make sure the audience does too!".

The tour is supported by The Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund & HI-Arts. It began on Friday 24 June at Kilmorack, and continues with dates throughout the summer and autumn, ending on 2nd October at the National Museum in Edinburgh.

Tickets for the Birnam event, which starts at 8.00pm, cost £7.00 and £4.00 (under-18's). They are available now from the Birnam House Hotel (01350 727462), Birnam CD (01350 727158) and Dunkeld TIC (01350 727688).

The next promotion by The Fiddle Tree will take place at the same venue on Thursday, September 15th when one of the country's finest acoustic bands "The Poozies" will be in concert.

For a full list of Scottish Music events click here.

Music In Scotland Newsletter - August 2005

This month's www.MusicInScotland.com newsletter includes:


NEW PRODUCTS:

To order any of the items below please cut and paste the link below into your browser or try clicking on the product codes:

http://www.musicinscotland.com/acatalog/CDs.html

Blazin' Fiddles - Magnificent Seven CD BRCD004 10.50
Another great, wide-ranging offering from the boys and girl. From Shetland style to texas swing, Irish folk to a Hardanger fiddle waltz, and Gaelic trad. to vaudeville stunt piece, this album just about covers it all.

Jenna Reid - With Silver & All CD CDFSR1731 10.20
An elegant first solo album from Filska fiddler Jenna, combining the intelligent minimalism of contemporary folk with good old jolly home-style music. Piano, guitar, bass and percussion add extra depth to Jenna’s choice of old and new folk tunes, and several of her own compositions.

Simon Fraser University Pipe Band - On Home Ground Vol. 1 CDTRAX283 10.20
A new ‘live’ album from the previous (four times!) World Champions, recorded at the Simon Fraser University Theatre in June 2005 to celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary. The band are recognised as one of the best live concert pipe bands in the world.

Skerryvore - West Coast Life CD SKIPCD07 10.20
Tongues in cheeks, but fingers firmly on their instruments, the boys in black stride across the sands. Four lads show their skills in trad. and contemporary ceilidh sounds, with accordion, pipes, guitar, percussion and vocals. A clean crisp album with plenty of talent…indeed!

Eric Bogle - At This Stage Double CD CDTRAX286 10.20
Two CDs for the price of one. The live collection: 24 songs including many of Eric’s hits. Live performances with introductions as separate tracks so you can skip them, or skip to them, if you want!! This album will replace I Wrote This Wee Song CDTRAX082 which is being deleted.

Imeachd: Odyssey CD HEBCELTCD01 10.20
This album represents the amazing and creative odyssey that the Hebridean Celtic Festival has taken over the last ten years. Seventeen tracks, from La Bottine Souriante, Dochas, The Waterboys, Capercaillie, Hothouse Flowers, Mary Jane Lamond, Sharon Shannon, Shooglenifty, Dougie MacLean, Cliar, Slainte Mhath, The Finlay MacDonald Band, …

Phamie Gow - Dancing Hands CD GOW002 10.20
Multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Phamie sings, composes, writes songs and plays harp, piano, accordion, and whistle… and that’s just on this album! Contemporary folk, jazz, Gaelic and Breton influence, and a host of top-class guest musicians too.

Niall Vallely - Buille CD VERTCD071 11.23
Neat, sweet and completely brilliant! Niall plays concertina, Paul Meehan the guitar, Caoimhin Vallely the piano and Brian Morrissey bodhran; between them they create a very contemporary, bright sound, with almost all the tune sets written by Niall. Irish folk with swing, to persuade the most recalcitrant.

John Kitchen & John Butt - Organs In Glasgow CD DCD34032 10.40
Twenty-seven excellent tracks of classical organ greats, played on six of Glasgow’s finest. Mendelssohn, Brahms, Bach and others interpreted by two of Britain’s foremost keyboard musicians on the organs of Glasgow University, Partick, Shettleston, Dennistoun, Hyndland and Knightswood.

Hobotalk - Notes On Sunset CD CR1005 10.20
A gentle contemporary ballady album, with Marc Pilley’s songs counterpointed by guitars and piano, keyboards, bass and drums. Life analysed, love challenged, thoughts provoked, and all tunefully done.

Angela Brownridge - Kenneth Leighton: Complete Piano Works DCD34301-3 16.59
Leighton lived from 1929 to 1988, and during that time he composed a vast body of works for piano, plus opera, instrumental and choral music; he held many elevated teaching positions. Angela Brownridge studied under him at Edinburgh University. Here she interprets his solo piano pieces with the confidence and insight of a professional associate.

Maddie Southorn - The Pilgrim Soul CD FECD193 10.20
Bristol-based, West Country born, singer, songwriter and pianist, Maddie Southorn shows an ability to tell poignant and absorbing stories through her songs. The sensitive arrangements, featuring the cello of long-time musical collaborator Janet Martin, the fiddle of Nancy Kerr, the accordion of Karen Tweed and the multi-instrumental talents of Steve Lawrence (ex-Iron Horse) enhance the songs and at times display an almost classical purity. “A voice that could melt glass” Decode Magazine

TravelTape Audio Guide to The Highlands CD TTDCD7 6.80
TravelTape Audio Guide to The Borders CD TTDCD8 6.80
TravelTape Audio Guide to East Of Scotland CD TTDCD9 6.80
History, folklore, legend and fact; these travel guides give you plenty of information about major points of interest in each area. Narrated in bright and breezy form, with one track per town or site, the CD is easy to use, easy to listen to, and comes with a wee fold-out map highlighting the places mentioned.

DVD

The Tartan Lads - The Essential Collection DVD RDVD072 10.20
Scotland's top performing duo - The Tartan Lads - bring you some of their most requested love songs. From traditional Scottish melodies to their own unique brand of Country music, Bill and Ray invite you to join them in this celebration of their music. All zones NTSC.

Davie Stewart - At Home With Davie Stewart DVD SMR141DVD 11.00
A peek into Davie’s busy domestic life, and the scenery surrounding his home. Davie’s tunes on box are backed by double bass, keyboard and drums, and played here highlighting scenes from the local countryside round Kirriemuir and the north of Scotland. All zones PAL.

Highlands: Yesterday’s Britain DVD 82963 6.82
Three films from 50 years ago, on one video, form an excellent document of life in yesterday's Scotland, presenting what was then new & wonderful amidst the age-old scenery. A supremely dated commentary makes these films a fascinating social commentary. All zones PAL

Doon The Watter DVD 82964 6.82
Memories! Three 50-year-old films on one video, exploring the life Doon The Watter of the Clyde. There's Glasgow in 1963 explained & explored; there's travelling by gorgeous old train & steamer to Arran, and there’s the Land of Burns, with some of his songs set against the background of South West Scotland in the 1950s. All quite fascinating. All zones PAL

Trace Your Ancestors: Tips & Advice To Create A Family Tree DVD 82545 7.00
Extremely handy instructions giving tips on how to investigate and proceed with the investigations necessary for tracing your family history. The compact DVD format ensures that this excellent resource can simply be stored on a shelf, without taking up the cupboard space needed by skeletons. All zones PAL.



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BLAS FESTIVAL LISTINGS

Venues in Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Skye & Lochalsh and Lochaber
2-10 September 2005

Le Blas, gheibh sibh measgachadh sònraichte de sheinneadairean is luchd-ciùil, cuid à tobar an dualchais fhèin mar Rona Lightfoot, Aonghas Grannd is an leithid, is cuid de na ‘rionnagan’ òga a tha a‘dèanamh ainm dhaibh fhèin mar Julie Fowlis. Cha bhiodh am pasgan buileach slàn gun cheòl bho ar càirdean thall thairis: na Barra MacNeils à Canada, is Seamus Begley is Seumas Moireach à Eirinn. Thèid am brat ciùil a seo, agus cànan nan Gàidheal, a sgaoileadh fad is farsaing air feadh na Gàidhealtachd. Feuch nach caill sibh e!
>From tradition bearers such as Rona Lightfoot, Angus Grant and all of those performing as part of ‘An Tobar’, to the ‘young bright stars’ in the firmament of Gaelic music like Julie Fowlis, as well as our Canadian cousins The Barra MacNeils and Irish musicians Seamus Begley and Jim Murray, Blas represents and brings Highland-wide all that is beautiful and lasting in our traditional musical culture and Gaelic language. Don’t miss a single show!

Ma sibh ag iarraidh tuilleadh fiosrachaidh neo leth-bhreac den phrògram, leig fios do 01478 613355, neo blas@feisean.org
If you would like further information, or a copy of the programme, contact 01478 613355, or blas@feisean.org

Gheibhear barrachd fiosrachaidh aig www.blas-festival.com, agus an cothrom tiocaidean a cheannach air www.thebooth.co.uk
Further information is available on www.blas-festival.com and you can buy tickets online at www.thebooth.co.ukSeo fiosrachadh mu na cuirmean-chiùil air fadHere are the details of all the concerts

Lochaber ~ Lochabair

Friday 2 September @ 8.00pm
Glenfinnan House Hotel
Fèis Lochabair Cèilidh Trailers
Free Event Presented by Glenfinnan House Hotel
Ticket Information 01955 641270

Saturday 3 September @ 7.30pm
Roybridge Memorial Hall
Allan, Dr Angus and Iain MacDonald
The Tassle Bandits
Fèis Lochaber Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Roybridge Memorial Hall Management Committee
Ticket Information 01397 712346

Monday 5 September @ 7.30pm
Glenuig Hall
An Tobar featuring Allan MacDonald, Cathy Ann MacPhee, Rona Lightfoot, Fergie MacDonald and Angus Grant
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Glenuig Hall
Ticket Information 01687 470267

Tuesday 6 September @ 7.30pm
Spean Bridge Community Centre
Cliar and Mary Smith in concert
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Spean Bridge Community Centre
Ticket Information 01397 712064

Wednesday 7 September @ 7.30pm
Àrainn Shuaineirt, The Barra MacNeils and Jenna Cumming in concert
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Àrainn Shuaineirt
Ticket Information 01397 709228

Thursday 8 September @ 7.30pm
Ballachulish Village Hall
Seamus Begley & Jim Murray
Iain MacDonald & Iain MacFarlane
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Ballachulish Community Arts Society
Ticket Information 01855 811979----

Friday 9 September @ 7.30pm
Astley Hall.
Arisaig Blas na Sgìre – A Taste of Local Talent
Fèis Lochabair Cèilidh Trailers
Iain MacDonald, Iain MacFarlane and Allan Henderson
Tickets £8 Concessions £6
Presented by Astley Hall
Ticket Information 01687 450263

Friday 9 September @ 7.30pm
Eigg Community Hall
Anna Massie Band
Tickets £8 Concessions £6
Presented by Eigg Island Arts
Ticket Information 01687 482410

Saturday 10 September @ 3.00pm
Ben Nevis Inn
Fèis Lochabair Cèilidh Trailers
Free Event
Presented by The Ben Nevis Inn

Ross-shire ~ Siorrachd Rois

Friday 2 September @ 7.30pm
MacPhail Centre Ullapool
Allan, Dr Angus and Iain MacDonald
The Tassle Bandits
Rachel Walker
Fèis Rois Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by The MacPhail Centre
Ticket Information 01854 613336

Friday 2 September @ 10.00pm
Cèilidh Place - Ullapool
Skipinnish
Tickets £8 Concessions £6
Presented by The Cèilidh Place
Ticket Information 01854 612103

Saturday 3 September @ 7.30pm
Strathpeffer Pavilion
Dàimh
Melanie Simpson and Friends
Rachel Walker
Fèis Rois Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Fèis Rois
Ticket Information 01349 862600

Monday 5 September @ 7.30pm
Seaboard Memorial Hall - Balintore
Session A9
Graham Mackenzie
Katie Mackenzie
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Seaboard Village Arts
Ticket Information 01862 832888

Tuesday 6 September @ 7.30pm
Lochcarron Village Hall
An Tobar featuring Allan MacDonald, Cathy Ann MacPhee, Rona Lightfoot, Fergie MacDonald and Angus Grant
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Lochcarron Arts Group
Ticket Information 01520 722426

Wednesday 7 September @ 7.30pm
Coigeach Community Hall - Achiltibuie
An Tobar featuring Allan MacDonald, Cathy-Ann MacPhee, Rona Lightfoot, Fergie MacDonald and Angus Grant
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Coigeach Community Hall
Ticket Information 01854 622373

Thursday 8 September @ 7.30pm
Ardross Hall
The Barra MacNeils
Kiltearn
Fèis Rois Fiddlers
Calum Alex MacMillan
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Ardross Hall
Ticket Information 01349 880591

Friday 9 September @ 7.30pm
Poolewe Village Hall
Seamus Begley & Jim Murray
Calum Alex MacMillan
Willie Beaton and Donald Murdoch
Fèis Rois Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Poolewe Village Hall
Ticket Information: 01445 781211

Saturday 10 September @ 7.30pm
Resolis Hall
Lauren MacColl
Jenna Cumming
James Graham Band
Graham Mackenzie
Fèis Rois Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Resolis Community Arts
Ticket Information 01381610204

Skye & Lochalsh

Friday 2 September @ 7.30pm
Talla Stafainn
Dàimh Dòchas
Fèis an Earraich
Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Staffin Community Hall Association
Ticket Information 01470 562718

Saturday 3 September @ 7.30pm
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Meantime Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd
Fèis an Earraich Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by SEALL
Ticket Information 01471 844207

Monday 5 September @ 7.30pm
Talla Shomhairle @ Àros - Portree
Cliar and Mary Smith in concert
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Cleas
Ticket Information 01478 613750

Tuesday 6 September @ 7.30pm
Inverinate Community Hall
The Barra MacNeils
Iain MacDonald & Iain MacFarlane
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Lochalsh Arts Network
Ticket Information: 01599 534702

Wednesday 7 September @ 7.30pm
Raasay - Raasay House
Seamus Begley & Jim Murray
Calum Alex MacMillan
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Raasay Community Association
Ticket Information: 01478 660 345

Thursday 8 September @ 7.30pm
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Julie Fowlis Band
Anna Massie Band
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by SEALL
Ticket Information 01471 844207

Friday 9 September
Celtic Chaos @ Talisker Distillery
Dàimh
Darren MacLean Band
Inflatable Haggis
Fèis an Earraich Cèilidh Trailers
Contact Louise Mackenzie on 01478 614003, or louise@feisean.org www.skyemusic.org
Presented by Celtic Chaos in conjunction with BLAS

Saturday 10 September
Celtic Chaos @ Talisker Distillery
Cathy Ann MacPhee & Friends: Charlie McKerron, Iain MacDonald, Billy Ross & Louise Mackenzie
Fèis an Earraich Cèilidh Trailers
Contact Louise Mackenzie on 01478 614003, or louise@feisean.org www.skyemusic.org
Presented by Celtic Chaos in conjunction with BLAS ----

Sutherland ~ Cataibh

Friday 2 September @ 7.30pm
Lairg Community Hall
Blas na Sgìre – A Taste of Local Talent
Gizzenbriggs
Fèis Chataibh Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £8 Concessions £6
Presented by Fèis Chataibh
Ticket Information 01408 633140

Saturday 3 September @ 7.30pm
Durness Food Festival
Dòchas
Fèis Chataibh Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets from Durness Food Festival on 01971 511255
Presented by Durness Food festival in conjunction with BLAS

Sunday 4 September @ 8.30pm
Dornoch Cathedral
Bilingual Service with Dingwall Gaelic Choir
Alison Kinnaird & Christine Primrose
Unticketed - All welcome
Presented by Dornoch Cathedral in conjunction with BLAS

Tuesday 6 September @ 7.30pm
Kinlochbervie Village Hall
Session A9
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Kinlochbervie Village Hall
Ticket Information 01971 521755

Tuesday 6 September @ 8.30pm
Invershin Hotel
Fèis Chataibh Cèilidh Trailers
Free Event
Presented by The Invershin Hotel

Thursday 8 September @ 7.30pm
Rogart Village Hall
An Tobar featuring Allan MacDonald, Cathy Ann MacPhee, Rona Lightfoot, Fergie MacDonald and Angus Grant
Tickets from Sutherland Folk Festival on 01408 635105
Presented by Sutherland Folk Festival in conjunction with BLAS

Friday 9 September @ 7.30pm
Lochinver Village Hall
Meantime
The James Graham Band
Fèis Chataibh Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Lochinver Village Hall
Ticket Information 01571 844262

Saturday 10 September @ 7.30pm
Carnegie Hall - Clashmore
Cliar
Fèis Chataibh Cèilidh Trailers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Fèis Chataibh
Ticket Information 01408 633140----

Caithness – Gallaibh

Wednesday 7 September @ 7.30pm
Lyth Arts Centre
Julie Fowlis Band
North Highland Fiddlers
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Lyth Arts
Ticket Information 01955 641270

Friday 9 September @ 7.30pm
Wick High School
The Barra MacNeils
Blas na Sgìre – A Taste of Local Talent
Tickets £11 Concessions £8
Presented by Wick Traditional Music Workshops
Ticket Information 01847 871211

Friday 9 September @ 10.00pm
MacKays Hotel, Wick
Gordon Gunn & Friends
Tickets £8 Concessions £6
Presented by Wick Traditional Music Workshops and Mackays Hotel
Ticket Information: 01847 871211

BELLADRUM LIGHTS THE FIRST FLAME FOR WORLD AIDS CAMPAIGN

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival will light the first candle in a worldwide aids awareness project to be launched at the festival by the UK’s leading environmental lighting designer Dave Bryant, who is a sufferer from the disease himself.

The installation, called Candleman, combines candles with audio-visual effects. It will involve the lighting at Belladrum of the first 5,000 of 60 million candles that will be lit as part of candlemen displayed worldwide over the next two years. There are plans to take the campaign to outside the Vatican, the UN building in New York and the European Parliament.

Dave Bryant, who is also the designer of the Storr lighting and audio-visual project being installed in Skye on the Trotternish Ridge, describes Candleman as ‘a cathedral of light and a secular space for contemplation.’ There will also be a performance space beside the installation for dancers, poets and musicians.

Candleman was slated for launch at Live 8 in Edinburgh but security restrictions didn’t allow it to go ahead. Dave now anticipates working with Live 8 and Bob Geldof on a display for World Aids Day (1st December). At least 8,500 people die of AIDs per day in sub-Saharan Africa, and 39.4 million suffer from Aids worldwide.

Belladrum Festival will feature headliners The Proclaimers, plus The Bees and British Sea Power, all of whom will be making their only festival appearances north of the border at Belladrum. These are joined by Friday headliners Alabama 3, the Peatbog Faeries and triple folk award winner Karine Polwart in a feast of rock, celtic, country, blues, folk and world musical talent featuring 45 acts across three stages.

Other acts at the festival include Ricky Ross (Deacon Blue), Woodstock vets Country Joe MacDonald, Jah Wobble, Black Velvets, Bluetones, Trashcan Sinatras, Michael Marra, the Jim Hunter Band, Endrick Brothers, Sundown, Poor Old Ben, Cinematics, Hazey Janes, Gliss, Baka Beyond, The Duhks, Dexter Ardoine and the Creole Ramblers, N’Faly Kouyate, Jason Ringenberg, Heather MacLeod, Andy White, Hotlicks Cookie, the Karl Broadie Band, Unholy Trinity – Ronnie Elliott, Terry Clarke and Wes McGhee - Stetsonhead, the Galipaygos, Ruthless Blues, Andy Gunn, Davy Cowan, Calamateur, Michael Wadada, Ruth Sutherland and the Feis Rois Ceilidh Band.

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is a mellow, family-orientated music and arts festival which takes place in the sensational setting of the old Italian Gardens at Belladrum Estate, near Beauly in the Scottish Highlands. Attractions include street theatre, cabaret, cinema, kids’ amusements, dance, alternative therapies, crèche, stalls, food and drink.

Weekend tickets cost £50 and Saturday tickets £30 (incl VAT, excl booking fee) and entitle holders to free parking and camping. Friday tickets cost £25 but do not allow camping. Children under 12 enter free. Passes are needed for both camping and under 12s. Check the web site www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk for details.

Belladrum has also announced fringe events in Inverness and elsewhere in the Highlands in the week running up to the festival on 12/13th August.

At Hootananny’s in Inverness, Electric Eel Shock (http://www.electriceelshock.com/) will headline the event on Thursday 11th August and Andy Gunn All Stars on 10th August. The fringe will also operate in the Market Bar on both nights and the Maple Court Bar on 7th August. Madhatters will host a festival club between 11.00 PM and 3.00 AM on 10th and 11th August.

“We had such a wealth of talent approaching us for the festival, we felt it was shame not to offer the Highlands a chance to hear some of it in the lead-up to the festival,” said festival organizer Joe Gibbs.

The Inverness fringe will also supply a chance for runners-up in Pulse, the festival’s Highland-wide talent trawl, to reach a wider audience, and a warm-up gig for some of the acts featuring at the festival including Exist, Mohair, the Unholy Trinity

Elsewhere in the Highlands, the Alabama 3 will be limbering up pre-festival in Ullapool as part of the fringe, and Drumnadrochit, Evanton, Invershin and Gairloch also boast gigs. Full details of the fringe programme can be found on the festival web site at www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk (and are listed at the bottom of this news release).

Contact: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival: www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk 01463 741366; Joe Gibbs, Phoineas House, Belladrum, By Beauly, Inverness-shire IV4 7BA; info@tartanheartfestival.co.uk.