Posts for August, 2025

Paul Mealor brings his Caritas Choir back to St Margaret’s for this popular, annual concert.

Named after Mealor’s composition, ‘Ubi caritas’ written for the Wedding of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, ‘Caritas’ means ‘love’ and the choir, made up of singers associated with Mealor over many years, presents a concert of popular and new choral classics.

Twenty years on from winning the Danny Kyle Open Stage Award at Celtic Connections, Breabach remain securely ranked amongst Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts and at the forefront of a burgeoning traditional music scene.

The band unite deep roots in Highland and Island Gaelic tradition with progressive musical influences and have cultivated a unique sound, anchoring double bagpipes, fiddle, step dance and vocals with energetic double bass and guitar accompaniment. This celebratory year will be marked by revisiting some of their favourite venues and festivals across the UK, Europe and beyond.

Carrie Fertig is delighted to be participating in North East Open Studios at St. Margaret’s Saturday 13th – Sunday 21st September, 2025. Carrie is an interdisciplinary artist working in performance, video, sculpture, and installation and also a metalsmith and maker in flameworked glass, the latter often getting incorporated into her performances and videos.

Rachel Sermanni is a Scottish based singer/songwriter that makes the mundane moments mystical: shock-positive pregnancy tests in train-station toilets, coffee machine breakages, cold river swims, the regret of not saying ‘I love You’, the moon & how it pulls, bare feet on wood floors, the soft glow of a house plant, ‘what even is consciousness?’, strange dreams lingering in quiet mornings…

Come and see Rachel at The OBI!

Wayward Jane’s music is a modern interpretation of American folk and Old Time traditions, blending roots music with fresh, nuanced arrangements and original songs.

Their rich sound features fiddle, clawhammer banjo, double bass, guitar, wooden flute and close vocal harmonies. Wayward’s live shows have a joyful energy, expressing the fine musicianship and playful chemistry of the four long-time friends.

Ranging in mood from bouncing, energetic tunes to tender and soulful songs, Wayward Jane tend to leave audiences with a glow in their hearts.

Come and see them at The OBI!

Ashley Fripp returns for his 7th visit to Boat of Garten as a guest of TOMS. His programme will consist of music by Bach, Schumann, Beethoven, Brahms and finishing with Chopin’s Sonata No 3, op 58.

CARMEN CO will appear as guests of The Osprey Music Society. The ensemble comprises Emily Andrews (flautist / mezzo), David Massey and Francisco Correa (guitarists). It is a performance of Spanish and Spanish inspired Music, presented with a storyline which roughly follows the story of Bizet’s opera Carmen, but told from her point of view – an evening of fantasy, comedy, drama and tremendous music, all arranged by the musicians.

The cello and piano duo of Ashok Klouda and Irina Botam will perform as guests of TOMS. Their programme will include music by Schubert, Schumann, Beethoven and a cello solo composed for Ashok by his wife Natalie – the renowned violinist and composer. Ashok will be making his 6th visit to Boat of Garten since he first came in 2011, this time with Irina on her 3rd visit with him.

Music by Purcell, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Vaughan Williams and others, sung by ten-year-old Jerome Collins who sings with the boys’ choir Libera. His accompanist will be Professor Martin Ashley, teacher, researcher and author on boys’ singing voices, who will also tell us more about the music Jerome will be singing. A lovely event not to be missed. Admission free (donations welcome). Drinks in the church hall from 7 onwards, concert starts at 7.30.

Join us for a walk around Moray’s earliest surviving tower house, reputedly built for Scotland’s vilest man, Alexander Stewart—the infamous Wolf of Badenoch. Drumin Castle, an impressive medieval fortification, stands on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon.

Upon reaching the castle, you’ll learn about its architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow over Moray’s history.

Drumin Castle has now reopened after masonry repairs, with access to the first floor now possible via a narrow stone staircase. Sensible footwear is recommended.