Posts for September, 2026

12.00-12.55 Ben Mhor – Beginners Drumming / Sam Fry OR @ YMCA – Guitar / Will Boyd-Wallis
1.00-1.55 Ben Mhor – Drumming Circle / Sam Fry + OR @ YMCA – Singing together / Shona Donaldson
2.00-2.55 Ben Mhor – Beginners Fiddle / Paul Anderson OR @ YMCA – Ukulele / Susie Minto Ken Walker
3.00-3.55 Ben Mhor – Experienced Fiddle/Paul Anderson OR @ YMCA-Moothie (key of A)/ NeilMcGregor
4.15-4.30 Ben Mhor – Workshop Concert Rehearsal
4.30-5.00 Ben Mhor – Workshop Concert (show your skills – all welcome to watch)

Borrow an instrument or bring your own (moothies in key of A). To borrow a violin or guitar (small sizes available) please email: fiddlerofstrathspey@gmail.com

Start your day with a refreshing cuppa, delicious home bakes and a blether. A special jaunty atmosphere is provided courtesy of the doyen of fiddlers, Paul Anderson. All welcome.

Whirl and birl the night away to the stirring traditional tunes of Reel Scotch. If you don’t know the steps or have forgotten them, don’t worry, all will be explained when you take the floor. The venue is the refurbished acoustically engineered main hall in the YMCA Community Centre. Families welcome. Disabled access by spacious modern lift. B.Y.O.B. (Bring your own bottle/booze). Prize raffle. Event organised by The Grantown Society (c/o The Grantown Hub) as part of the Fiddler of Strathspey Festival 2026 (15-19 September).

Master fiddler Paul Anderson and bothy ballad specialist Shona Donaldson join varied talents The Braeriach Quartet, Bella Voce, Will Boyd-Wallis, Neil McGregor and The Fiddlers of Strathspey. The venue is the acoustically engineered hall at the YMCA Community Centre, Grantown-on-Spey. Disabled access by spacious lift. Teas, coffees and soft drinks available before concert and during the interval. Prize raffle. Organised by The Grantown Society, c/o The Hub, High St., Grantown-on-Spey.

As part of the Fiddler of Strathspey Festival, organised by The Grantown Society, the ever-popular Braeriach String Quartet play a selection of classical pieces. The concert also features the premiere of two pieces for string quartet and piano performed alongside local composer and pianist Dmytro Morykit.

Freya Rae and Tim Lane (of Hidden Orchestra) present Divergence, a captivating performance of original music inspired by traditional melodies and contemporary creativity. The tunes, written by Freya in 2020, blend flute, whistles, clarinet, tongue drum, percussion, and subtle electronic effects to create a rich, contemporary sound rooted in tradition. Since premiering the project at Edinburgh TradFest in May 2025, they have also performed at their album launch at the Pianodrome and at Knockengorroch and Kelso Folk Festival. Divergence celebrates the meeting of old and new through lyrical melodies, inventive arrangements, and immersive live performance.

Something a bit lovely and different! Tim and Freya are also going to host a post performance jam session for anyone who would like to join, so please do bring along your instruments and keep the vibes going.

Doors and tipi bar open from 6.30pm with music starting around 7.30pm

We’d love to see you there x

A cabaret-style mostly-classical concert performed by three talented student musicians, with solos and duets from Purcell, Vivaldi and Handel to Fauré, Debussy, Abba and others. The last in the current season of the ‘Friday Music at Saint John’s’ concert series.

Free admission, donations welcome if wished. Drinks in the church hall from 7 pm, concert starts at 7.30 in the beautiful little white church at Rothiemurchus

A song and dance workshop, led by Caroline Reagh and Sandra Robertson (Dannsa) provides the opportunity to learn step dance, Gaelic Puirt-a-Beul (a traditional form of vocal music originating from the Scottish Highlands and Islands) and some descriptive Gaelic words of the landscape.

Sing, dance and soak up the beauty in this relaxed, fun workshop. After meeting at the RSPB Insh Marshes car park, the group will head to the Lookout Hide for an introduction to Gaelic puirt-a-beul and step-dance. Participants will either remain with Caroline to learn to step-dance or join Sandra for Gaelic song. Workshop numbers are limited (dance – 12; song – 6). Choice will be made at time of booking.  The groups will then join to share some song and dance followed by an introduction in Gaelic to the surrounding landscape features (with an explanation in English). 

The workshop is about enjoyment and trying something new. Everyone is welcome, no matter your singing and dance experience, or Gaelic skills.

Please bring a snack and drink.
Some areas may be rough and/or slippery underfoot. Sturdy footwear is advisable. Dancers must bring hard shoes or trainers.
Suitable for adults and children. Minimum age eight+. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult (both on bookable tickets).
Photo Credit – Dansa and Caroline Reagh

Capercaillie and Session A9 fiddle player, Charlie Mckerron has been playing with Marc Clement and Tim Edey for over 20 years, and after playing with Ross Ainslie at various sessions Charlie asked him to join the group around 10 years ago.

Charlie explains, “the combination of the 2 guitar styles of Edey and Clement are electric and can only inspire and make you want to play!”

The musicians bring a world music backdrop to many of Mckerron’s compositions, which he likes to feature in his tours. As well as their guitars you can expect to hear the powerful voice of Marc Clement and Tim Edey’s brilliance on the melodeon. Ross Ainslie’s introduction to the outfit has been a great development. “His piping and whistle skills plus his love of contemporary, traditionally based composition is right up my street” says Charlie.

This combo likes to continually push and challenge each other. There is a musicial soulfulness, the fury of the up tempo madness and incredible improvisiation making every night a different experience. “I love the improvisation thrown in, there is freedom within the music”, comments Ross Ainslie.

Charlie, an award-winning composer, is at the moment working on his solo CD, which features some of the music from this line-up, as well as contributions from other Celtic and World musicians. “These intimate gigs are the perfect way to introduce some of our new music”, says Charlie.

You can expect a night of amazing music and entertainment from these award-winning musicians. Their virtuosity and the sheer joy of performing together will always shine.

“A joyous evening of virtuoso musicianship …” ​
Edinburgh Music Review ​​​​
“… played with emphatic vigour and precision”
​​​​​​​​The Scotsman

Get ready for an unforgettable in-person night of folk music at the historic Braemar Castle. Dive into the rich traditions of Bothy Ballads, where storytelling meets toe-tapping tunes. A rare opportunity to be part of a small audience in the 400 year old Braemar Castle. Come along, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy a true taste of heritage and song!