Grand opening ceilidh for Caledonian Canal ceilidh trail
One of Scotland’s top ten visitor attractions will host the grand opening ceilidh of the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail.
Historic Scotland’s Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness near Drumnadrochit will be the grand ceilidh venue on Monday 16th July from 8pm -10pm.
Organised by The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service in partnership with British Waterways Scotland, the Ceilidh Trail has been made possible with funding from British Waterways Scotland, Highland Council’s Aird and Loch Ness Ward discretionary budget, Inverness Common Good Fund and TMC Folk through Highland 2007.
Featuring at the grand opening ceilidh will be the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail Band including lead musician, David Bowen of Inverness on accordion, and trainee lead musician Ross Anderson from Midlothian on percussion. Inverness student Rachel Campbell will play fiddle and perform highland dancing, while, student Anne Nicol from Aberdeenshire sings Scots song and plays fiddle. Cameron Kellow from Kinross plays accordion and drums and new team member Alasdair Taylor, from Inverness pays guitar and mandolin.
Other other artisites taking part and representing the Fèis movement, will be young musicians along with some of the tutors from Fèis Glenn Albainn. Representing the local Gaelic speaking Fèis na h Oige are Anna Mairead Ferguson on clarsach along with Rachel MacDonald on Gaelic Song and whistle. Local storyteller, Andrew Ferguson in authentic 18th Century, character dress, will tell tales of Culloden from “Tacksman”, by Malcolm Cameron of South Loch Ness. Compere this year will be John (the prof) Matheson from Moray Firth Radio’s traditional music programme.
Margo MacLennan, The Highland Council’s Traditional Music Co-ordinator said: "We are indebted to Historic Scotland for once again hosting the Grand Opening Ceilidh at their visitor centre overlooking Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness. This is truly a magical venue that creates a memorable atmosphere. "
Tickets are priced at £8 (£7 concession for Friends of Historic Scotland) and are available from Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre, Drumnadrochit 01456 450551 and Highland Council Service Point Drumnadrochit 01456 459050 or online at www.thebooth.co.uk
For further information please contact: Margo MacLennan, Traditional Music Co-ordinator, The Highland Council, Town House, Inverness tel: (01463) 724314.