Dagger Gordon and Amy Henderson

Amy Henderson is one of the finest Traditional musicians in Scotland's folk scene. An accordionist and singer, Amy is a graduate of the BA Folk & Traditional Music degree at the University of Newcastle. She is in demand as a performer, an accordion tutor, and a workshop leader in community music settings. When Amy is not performing and working on the music scene, she is busy on her Croft in Inverness-shire. Dagger Gordon is best known as a mandolin and banjo player in the Scottish Highlands. He is a full-time farmer, raising sheep and cattle on his farm near Invergordon. When performing together, Amy and Dagger's individual styles blend and complement each other's playing as well as their instruments, creating a warm and dynamic sound. As well as arranged material performed from the duo rooted in Highland and Scottish material, they enjoy playing for ceilidh dances,

with a big sound and energy.

Saturday Afternoon Family Concert

Mellow Yellow kids choir, Mellow Yellow Adults, Ardersier Forté with others to be arranged.

The Concert is entry by donation and it is a Family Friendly event where we try to give as many young people the opportunity to perform as possible - By young of course we also include
'Young at Heart'

Saturday Concert

The Siobhan Miller Trio

One of Scotland's most celebrated folk singer-songwriters, Siobhan Miller appears with two of Scotland's finest musicians, Innes White on guitar and a fiddler (TBA). With four Scots Singer of the Year titles and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award, Siobhan's discography boasts five heralded solo releases - most recently, 2022's Bloom. An out and out, freewheeling celebration of much-loved Scottish songs, Bloom deftly balances a love of traditional song with modern influences. Having grown up in Scotland's rich folk scene, Siobhan has been a regular performer at Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival, where she featured amidst the star-studded line-up of Transatlantic Sessions in 2022, duetting with Paul Brady and Sarah Jarosz. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see Siobhan Miller in concert, and experience her stunning vocals and lyrical songs in a truly special setting.

Dougie Mackenzie and Brian Miller are both award-winning Scots singers. Dougie sang mostly Gaelic songs in his youth, but was introduced to folk music at the famed Inverness Folk Song Club. He is drawn to Scots ballad language and the stories it carries to us from the past. Brian is one of the most esteemed singers and guitarists in Scottish traditional and folk music, having performed and recorded with many stars and ensembles of the scene. They've performed as a duo since working on Dougie's 2019 Greentrax CD "Along the Way". They present a varied mixture of traditional and contemporary material, often accompanied by Brian's virtuoso guitar. Expect to be moved and amused!

Sunday Closing Concert

Paul Tonberg Song Writing Shield Finalists

(Photo Mark Richards)

Shiley Barr, last year's Paul Tonberg Shield Winner is a Moray based singer songwriter who started writing her own material in April 2021, after signing up for an online course tutored by Boo Hewerdine and Findlay Napier. Over the next few years she taught herself to play tenor guitar, ukulele and shruti box. Using these, sampled loops and field recordings, Shirley creates songs which are quirky, insightful, and sumptuously layered, melding beautiful melodies with novel lyrics to create soundscapes that leave you wanting more. She finds herself drawn to writing about people and place, often taking inspiration from poetry, folklore, and the natural world. With studio time booked to record a second EP for release later this year, and several other solo and collaborative projects, plans and gigs, yet to be announced, 2025 and 2026 promise to be another couple of busy years for Shirley.

MacGregors Gathering - Featuring Bruce MacGregor and many other artistes

Fresh from two sold out nights at Celtic Connections, this musical extravaganza is set in Scotland’s best ‘bar’ At the heart of Scotland’s tradition lies the pub ‘session’. It’s a spontaneous gathering of musicians who share the music and craic. The multi-award winning, MacGregor’s Bar has been the home for truly legendary sessions; welcoming fiddlers, pipers, singers and dancers into the community, creating something truly magical. MacGregor’s Gathering takes the ‘bar’ out on the road; to village halls, theatres and festivals using a unique setting and format. The stage is set as ‘MacGregor’s Bar” and host Bruce MacGregor (BBC Radio Scotland presenter and the founder of Blazin’ Fiddles), welcomes your audience into the heart of the session, with guest musicians and singers dropping in and joining the party, sharing tales, tunes and songs. The event is also streamed live with comments and messages being incorporated into the performance.

                                                                                                                                                                            Audience Comments

"Another great Ceilidh Dance opened by John, Garrick and Derek followed by the wonderfull Andy Ross Scottish Dance Band"
"This Ceilidh Dance is becoming part of the tradition of this great festival."
"Fabulous main concert"
"This festival has only been running for 3 years! It feels well established, I thought it was about 10 years."
"Wonderful. Keep up the good work."
" Congratulations on such a successful weekend."