Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail – Cuairt Cèilidh a’ Chanàil Chaileannaich
Members of the 9th Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail embarked onto the Jacobite Queen to the sound of a Sailors Hornpipe played by ceilidh trailer Rachael MacDonald today (6 July, 2010) at Tomnahurich Bridge, Inverness to promote the new band line up for 2010.
The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is a traditional music project which runs from Monday 12 July to Friday 6 August. The project received the Scot Trad Music Award 2009 for the “Community Project of the Year”.
Organised by The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service, the Ceilidh Trail is partly funded by British Waterways (Scotland) and works in partnership with TMC Folk. The trail opens on Monday 12th with a Grand Opening Ceilidh at Historic Scotland’s Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre at 8pm, runs through over 45 events and ends with a concert for the Blas Festival at, Eden Court Theatre on Saturday 4 September.
The official ceilidh trail band will be led by accordionist Cameron Kellow. Student musicians in the band are Alasdair Taylor playing guitar, mandolin and banjo; Rachael MacDonald on Highland and small pipes, Gaelic song and whistle; and two new members this year are Euan Smillie on fiddle and guitar; and Emily Andrew on Fiddle, Scots Song and Step Dance.
The ceilidh trail team will be joined by TMC Folk; the Fèis Lochabair Ceilidh Trailers and young musicians from Fèis a Bhaile.
Deputy Provost of Inverness, Councillor Peter Corbett said: “Now in its 9th year, the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail continues to be an excellent showcase of our Highland traditional music and dance talent. The band will provide fantastic entertainment not just for locals but the many visitors that are coming to the Highlands on holiday. We welcome new sponsors on board this year with thanks to Friends of Highland Music and the Highland Music Trust.”
Russell Thomson, Waterway Manager – Highlands, 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 9th 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) 663817.
Admission to most events on the ceilidh trail is free with the exception of the Grand Opening Ceilidh; Scottish country dancing at the Craigmonie Centre; ceilidh dancing at Fort Augustus Public Hall; the Traditional Music Stage at Inverness Highland Games; ceilidh at Glengarry community hall; summer dance at Glenmoriston; and the Tartan Heart Festival at Belladrum.
Tickets for the Grand Opening Ceilidh are on sale at The Highland Council’s Drumnadrochit Service Point, Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre or from Inverness Tourist Information Centre.