Ceilidh Trail Band strikes a chord on Caledonian Canal
Organisers of the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail today (Tuesday 11th July, 2006) announced the line-up of the official Ceilidh Trail Band at British Waterways (Scotland) Seaport Marina in Inverness.
The full band line up includes lead musician, David Bowen from Inverness on accordion and trainee lead musician, Hannah Phillips from Beauly on clarsach and electro harp. The five Students musicians are Karen Ferguson from Dunlop in Ayrshire; accordion and snare drum, Rachael Campbell from Inverness; fiddle and Highland dancer, Alison Buchanan from Barra and Glasgow; Gaelic singer, piper and clarsach, Anne Nicol from Oyne in Aberdeenshire on fiddle and keyboards, and percussionist Ross Anderson from Midlothian.
The band will play the first performance of the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail at Historic Scotland’s Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness on Monday 17th July at a "Grand Opening Ceilidh" from 8-10pm.
Now in its 5th year the organisers of the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail are confident that the programme and venues will appeal not only to locals also to the many visitors to the Highlands.
Organised by The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service Traditional Music Project in partnership with British Waterways Scotland, the Ceilidh Trail has been made possible with funding from the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council.
The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail runs from Monday 17th July till Friday 11th August, 2006 with 50 ceilidhs at over 20 venues along the canal including on boats, in hotels, in the open air, at cafes, at day care centres, at historic sites and at Inverness Highland Games on Saturday 22nd July in the Tulloch Traditional Music Tent.
The ceilidhs are a mixture of performances by the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail Band and also informal sessions where the audience can bring their own instrument and join in – these distinctions are indicated on the Ceilidh Trail programme.
The aim of the Ceilidh Trail is to encourage the development and appreciation of traditional music while supporting the visitor and tourism trade along the route of the Caledonian Canal.
Admission to events on the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is free with the exception of the the grand opening ceilidh at Urquhart Castle, and ceilidhs at Glengarry community hall, Fort Augustus public hall, Abriachan community hall and the Tartan Heart Festival at Belladrum.
Councillor Roddie Balfour, Chairman of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is an excellent event heading towards Highland 2007 when we will celebrate Highland’s traditional and contemporary culture. The programme and venues in this year’s Ceilidh Trail look very promising and as most events are free anyone can come along and join in. I am looking forward to tuning up my pipes and joining in with the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail band.”
Ailsa Andrews British Waterways Scotland Caledonian Canal Office Manager said: “British Waterways Scotland are delighted to support the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail in its 5th year. It’s great that visiting yachtsmen and women from all over the world will have this chance to enjoy some real Scottish music.”
The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is part of a network of Ceilidh Trails throughout the Highlands others including Fèis Rois in Easter Ross from 17th July – 143h August; Fèis Chataibh, Golspie from 6th July – 3rd August; and from the 3rd – 31st July, Fèis Lochabair, Fort William and Fèis an Earraich Sleat on the Isle of Skye.
Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail programmes are available from Highland Council Services Points and tickets for the Grand Opening Ceilidh are available from Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre 01456 450551 and Highland Council Service Point Drumnadrochit 01456 459050. The programme is available at www.waterscape.com or from the link opposite.
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For further information, please contact: Margo MacLennan, Traditional Music Co-ordinator, The Highland Council, Education, Culture and Sport Service, Community Learning & Leisure, Town House, Inverness IV1 1JJ Telephone: 01463 724314 e-mail: margo.maclennan2@highland.gov.uk