Posts for August, 2024

Live Entertainment in the Lounge Bar with Graeme Mackay Accordion Player

Get ready for an intimate weekend of music in the heart of the Cairngorms this autumn.

Braemar Folk Festival returns with packed mainstage concerts in the atmospheric surrounds of St Margaret’s, while cosy venues throughout this quintessential highland village come alive with foot-stomping jam sessions, bespoke workshops and informal acoustic sets.

Nestled in the upper reaches of the Dee valley, among the mountains and Caledonian pine forests, there is plenty of opportunity to roam in the hills, swim in the rivers and lochs and enjoy the stunning nature and landscapes that this special part of Scotland has to offer.

Braemar Folk Festival is now an established and growing focal point in Scotland’s cultural calendar and was a finalist for ‘Event of the Year’ at the 2022 BBC Trad Music Awards. This October’s event is set to be the biggest yet — we can’t wait to welcome you to Braemar.

Ashley Fripp performs the opening concert of the TOMS 2024-2025 season when he will be making his 6th visit to TOMS. He will perform music by Bach, Schubert, Beethoven and Liszt.

The iconic baroque quartet, Red Priest, will perform a programme of baroque classics. Led by Piers Adams, one of the world’s foremost recorder players, with Julie Bishop on violin, Angela East on cello and David Wright on harpsichord.

Join Kathryn Joseph and Lomond Campbell in a world-first performance that reimagines Kathryn’s songs, born from their collaboration at Lengths Studio.

Discover the unique synergy between these two artists as they bring new life into familiar melodies on a night of innovative musical exploration where Kathryn Joseph’s heartfelt compositions meet Lomond Campbell’s atmospheric prowess.

A night of ceilidh dancing with a live band in Mar Lodge’s Stag’s Ballroom to kick-off the Braemar Gathering weekend.

Doors open at 7:30pm. “Music starts at 8pm and will be provided by The Drams – they were so good last year we’ve invited them back!

Bring your own bottle, although Braemar Brewery drinks, and our own Pinewood Gin (made with botanicals from the estate) will be available to buy.

Stovies, included in the ticket price, will also be provided during the break.

Join Mànran and their support band on Monday 30th December for a pre New Years Eve celebration

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2024, Calum McIlroy is a guitarist, mandolin player, and singer from Aberdeenshire.

Through lyrical plectrum-focussed arrangements of traditional and original tunes, he has established himself as “a rising star in Scotland’s traditional music scene…” (Mandolincafe)

After graduating from the BMus Traditional Music course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he released his debut EP, This Ill Deeds (2020), and was nominated for the Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year Award at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.

As well as performing in a trio with Megan MacDonald (accordion) and Chloë Bryce (fiddle) – winners of the Battle of the Folk Bands at Celtic Connections 2024 – he has appeared alongside the likes of Mike Vass; Anna Massie (Blazin’ Fiddles); Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton; and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.


Callum will be joined by Rory Matherson (piano) and Signy Jakobsdottir (drums).

Hailed by critics and fans alike as a one of the finest songwriters of his generation, Dean Friedman has achieved legendary, pop-icon status for chart-topping hits, Ariel, Lucky Stars, Lydia, McDonald’s Girl and more.

Friedman returns to the stage armed with a stunning collection of his insightful and compelling, true-to-life ‘story songs’ – songs of pathos and humour that deal with family, friends, neighbours, work and the seemingly trivial, yet ultimately essential stuff of everyday life.

“Soundtrack of our lives!” – NYTimes; “Songsmith extraordinaire!” – MusicWeek

“Dean Friedman is entirely unique and utterly brilliant” – ThreeWeeks

“Stunning Musicianship!” – Hot Press

“One of the true greats of American music!” – Liverpool Sound and Vision

A consummate entertainer, Friedman will be performing solo, on guitar and keyboard, featuring songs from throughout his four-decade career, including familiar, radio hits and fan favourites, drawn from his eight studio albums. Invite family and friends and join Friedman for an evening of powerful, poignant and hilarious songs about the ordinary and extraordinary lives we share.

It’s going to be a very fun night, we urge you to get your tickets before they sell out!

Live music from local bands