Posts for November, 2022

Q: Ever sat and played a tune just fine on your own in the house, only for it to go all wobbly when you play in front of other folk at a band rehearsal or public event?

A: I know the feeling. You can learn how to go about preparing your music so you can enjoy sharing it with others.

Join award-winning musician, music tutor and experienced performer, Hamish Napier, in this workshop series that builds confidence and ideas for just that! In a relaxed, fun and highly supportive environment, we will share our work and find the best ways to get your best playing and singing into the world.

Session A9 are more than relishing their return to the stage in November. “We can’t wait to get out touring again after all this time and are delighted to finally come and perform at Braemar, after having to cancel our planned tour a couple of years ago. This will be our first tour since lockdowns and I guarantee we will be in great form!”, says fiddle player Charlie Mckerron.

Before the pandemic broke out the band were in rehearsals preparing fresh material for their next recording when all of Scotland came to a sudden stand still. They are now excited at the chance of getting back together to be creative and to make new music which they can bring to their audience as soon as it is possible.

Hailed as “Scotland’s Supergroup” the band are previous winners of “Best Live Act” at MG Alba’s Scottish Traditional Music Awards, with individual band members having achieved awards in their own right.

Each member of Session A9 can be seen on stage with many of traditional music’s most respected bands, including Capercaillie, The Treacherous Orchestra, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, as well as their own individual ensembles.

Fiddle players Kevin Henderson, Adam Sutherland, Gordon Gunn and Charlie Mckerron are joined as always by David “Chimp” Robertson on percussion, Marc Clement on guitar and vocals, and Brian McAlpine on piano.

The band promises to “raise the roof” bringing their original compositions, exciting arrangements along with their usual skill, fire and enthusiasm, this should be a night to remember!


“A richness of sound that can verge on the symphonic … From reflective to mesmerising to downright barnstorming”. The Herald

“Fiercely bright and energetic contemporary instrumental music with a full heart and a head for invention”. Songlines

“Tighter than James Brown”. The Proclaimers

“The best band to come out of Scotland in a hundred years”. Dougie MacLean.

We welcome everyone to our Online Christmas Ceilidh this year.

Join your friends in the Highlands from anywhere in the world, to celebrate Christmas together this year. Connect with the Highland landscape through song, music, myths, stories, poetry and more, no matter how far away you are, as all performers share offer heart -warming responses to the Highland landscapes that is home of the hearts of so many of us.

Bring a story, a project, a song, anything you would like to share, dance along to the tunes, or simply listen from the comfort of your sofa. We welcome people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to sign up to be part of this innovative new project.

The word ceilidh comes from the Gaelic for ‘gathering’ and with this wonderful blend of art and chat from one home to another, we would like to bring together and celebrate the importance of music, song and story together.

Alba Challah, a new Glasgow-based Klezmer band showcasing aan Eastern European repertoire, world folk music and ritual melodies, whilst exploring and fusing Classical Music with Klezmer

Maxi and Julian, great favourites with TOMS, will play a selection of pieces including Poulenc, Milhaud, Saint-Saens and Brahms.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the community ownership of our stunning local woodlands the Anagach Woods, with 3 top musicians performing music about Scotland’s native forests. Hamish Napier’s album ‘The Woods’ beautifully evokes the nature and nurture of the woodlands, and brings it to life in music that delights and causes rising joy.

★★★★★ “The Woods is a beautifully constructed, evocative and distinctive album…a splendid and rare treat.” SONGLiNES Magazine

Come and join the town of Grantown as we celebrate together, and look forward to the next 20 years!

PERFORMERS:

Hamish Napier – wooden flutes, whistles, piano & stories
Patsy Reid – fiddle & viola
Innes Watson – guitars & fiddle

THE FREDDIE & QUEEN EXPERIENCE are the UK’s premier Queen & Freddie Mercury Tribute Band, internationally and critically acclaimed – an electrifying show that celebrates the music of unarguably the greatest rock band in the world.

The band performs all over the world with sell out shows in the UK and abroad.

They deliver a passionate and energy packed show just full of QUEEN’s greatest hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, A Kind Of Magic, Under Pressure, Someone To Love, Killer Queen, Radio Ga-Ga, We Are The Champions to name just a few.

Live entertainment in the Lounge Bar with Graeme Mackay Accordion Player

Live entertainment in the Lounge Bar with Graeme Mackay Accordion Player

Live entertainment in the Lounge Bar with Chris Grant