Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail – Cuairt Cèilidh a’ Chanàil Chaileannaich

Musicians and supporters gathered today (11th July, 2008) at Muirtown Basin Marina, Inverness., to promote the line up for the 7th Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail Band., which opens on Monday 14 July.

Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is a traditional music project organised by The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service in association with British Waterways (Scotland) and working in partnership with TMC Folk and lottery funded by the Scottish Arts Council.

The trail opens on Monday with a Grand Opening Ceilidh at Historic Scotland’s Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre at 8pm, runs through nearly 50 events and ends with the two events for the Blas Festival at Bunsgoil Ghidhlig Inbhir Nis on Friday 5th September and at Farr Hall, Inverness on Saturday 13th September.

The official ceilidh trail band will be led by Ross Anderson on percussion, and trainee lead musician, Cameron Kellow on accordion. Student musicians in the band are Alasdair Taylor on guitar; Karen Ferguson on accordion; and Calum Morrison with Gaelic Song and Bagpipes.  The ceilidh trail team will be joined with Traditional Music Classes (TMC) folk, and their Musical Director, David Bowen on accordion and Step Dancer, Rebecca Third. This year, the ceilidh trail organisers are working in close partnership with TMC Folk along with their Musical Director David Bowen. They are also training and mentoring the young up and coming musicians as future Ceilidh Trailers.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “The Glens will be alive to the sound of traditional music this summer with the return of the ever successful Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail. This is an excellent platform for our young and talented Highland traditional musicians to showcase their skills and expertise whilst contributing at the same time to the cultural diversity of the Highland tourism market.”

Ailsa Andrews, Manager for British Waterways Scotland said: “Yachts from all over the world use the Caledonian Canal especially in summer and the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail events are an excellent way for them to sample some real Highland music. We are delighted to support the ceilidh trail in its 7th year.”

Details of the ceilidh trail events coming to various venues and locations along the Caledonian Canal can be found on the Highland Council’s website at: www.www.highland.gov.uk/caledonian-canal-ceilidh-trail. Copies of the trail programme are available from Highland Council Services Points or by telephoning (01463) 724314.

Admission to most events on the ceilidh trail is free with the exception of the Grand Opening Ceilidh; the Joint Ceilidh at Glengarry Community Hall; Ceilidh Dancing at Fort Augustus Public Hall; Scottish Country Dancing at the Craigmonie Centre, Drumnadrochit; a Summer Evening Ceilidh Dance at Glenmoriston Millennium Hall, Invermoriston; Tartan Heart Festival, Belladrum; and Inverness Highland Games.

Tickets for the Grand Opening Ceilidh are on sale at The Highland Council’s Drumnadrochit Service Point, Urquhart Castle, and in the local Tourist Information Centres or from www.thebooth.co.uk.

For further information on the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail please contact: Margo MacLennan, The Highland Council’s Traditional Music Co-ordinator on tel: (01463) 724314.