Posts for April, 2022

A family fun day on the village Greens in the centre of Ballater on Royal Deeside involving over 50 trade, craft and charity stalls, with entertainment for children including hook-a-duck and bouncy castle. As well as the local shops, restaurants and cafes, there are food stalls on the Green. The Ballater Pipe Band plays and there is live musical entertainment on the stage from Banchory Strathspey & Reel Society, culminating in a giant inflatable duck race on the River Dee at 3pm and a Tote operates if anyone fancies a ‘flutter’ on one of the ducks.

Follow us on: www.facebook.com/ballaterduckfestival

£5 per person
Teams of up to 6
Individuals welcome
Light refreshments available
BYOB, raffle

Boat of Garten’s Annual Auction Sale is back with a bang to kick off what is looking to be a great year at the Boat of Garten Community Hall… so now’s the time to start having that clear out!

We are on the look out for good quality saleable goods as donations or on a commissioned basis. We will also be having a raffle and would greatly appreciate donations for that too!

This is a great chance to get involved and have a great day out as well as helping raise funds for Boat of Garten Community Hall.

We will have our cafe open offering filled rolls, teas & coffee and amazing homamade baking, what more could you want.

Collections will start Thursday 21st April and continue on Friday 22nd between 6-9pm.

If you have an item in mind email info@boathall.org.uk or call the Hall office on 01479 831123.

Singer and fiddle player Eilidh Shaw and guitar supremo Ross Martin are set to entertain concert goers with their dynamic, modern take on traditional Scottish music – but not before they have spent the afternoon with Fèis Spè’s senior band, ‘Monadh Ruadh’, running a special music workshop just for them.

The concert on Friday 8th April with Eilidh and Ross, will feature performances from ‘Monadh Ruadh’ and their dedicated band leader, Charlie McKerron of Capercaillie and Session A9 fame.

Eilidh Shaw, probably best known for her work with the all female folk group ‘The Poozies’ is now also a member of much loved Scottish band ‘Shooglenifty’, while Ross Martin is a member of Gaelic supergroup ‘Dàimh’ who have twice won Folk Band of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Individually they have worked with all manner of top musicians from the Scottish scene and beyond, clocking up over 100 album appearances working with the likes of Scottish Gaelic star Julie Fowlis as well as 70’s pop crooner Tony Christie!

In 2017 they made their first album together, Birl-esque, which was released on their own Rhubana Records label to critical acclaim. Since the album release and the launch of their duo project they have been touring Scotland, the U.S., France and Germany, and performed at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.

Ahead of their visit to Carr-Bridge, Eilidh said: “We are really excited to be coming to Carr-Bridge and working with the fantastic Charlie McKerron and his amazing group of young students. We have a lot of live music to catch up on and hope to see lots of people there.”

As well as a chance to catch up on some live music, the event is a chance to raise some funds for Fèis Spè, to help the organisation to continue to deliver traditional Scottish music tuition and performing opportunities for young people in Badenoch and Strathspey.

Charlie McKerron is considered one of Scotland’s finest fiddler players and composers and has toured the world with various bands during a long and varied career. Now a resident of Badenoch, he works closely with Fèis Spè, tutoring both ‘Monadh Ruadh’ and the organisation’s ‘Junior Band’.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to getting a few tunes with Eilidh and Ross, but more importantly – they will be offering our ‘Monadh Ruadh’ members a great afternoon’s workshop, preparing a piece of music which they will then perform at the concert. For our young musicians, to get to work with well established, talented artists like these, is very exciting indeed,” said Charlie.

The concert takes place on Friday 8th April at the Carr-Bridge Village Hall. Doors open at 7.pm with the concert getting underway at 7.30pm. Entry is by cash only with tickets to be purchased at the door. Tickets are priced £12 for adults and £8 for children. Tickets can be reserved by texting 07799 338730 but must be collected by 7.15pm or they will be resold. There will be a raffle and refreshments available by donation.