Posts for January, 2025

Three unique musical voices unite to deliver a powerful yet intimate blend of old-time Appalachian songs, alongside a collection of beautifully crafted soulful originals.

Fiddler and singer-songwriter Hannah Read met banjo player Michael Starkey at an Appalachian old-time session in Edinburgh in late 2019. The moment they struck up a tune together marked an immediate meeting of musical minds. They have since become a dynamic fiddle and banjo duo, playing repertoire sourced from deep in the old-time tradition, as well as new self-composed tunes and songs. Their compelling sound can be heard on the critically acclaimed debut album Cross the Rolling, released on Hudson Records in June 2022.

Hannah is an award-winning Scottish musician based in Brooklyn, NY. She moved stateside to study American fiddle styles and to immerse herself in the thriving string music scene. She has toured extensively, performing solo and collaborating with musicians such as Tony Trischka, Sarah Jarosz and Jefferson Hamer, as well as being one part of the BBC Folk Award-winning Songs of Separation.

Michael is a multi-instrumentalist, music teacher and old-time banjo enthusiast living in Scotland. His mission as a musician is to keep things simple: clear melody lines underpinned by solid, infectious rhythm. Recent collaborations include work with Wayward Jane (an Edinburgh-based UK/US folk and roots music four-piece) and Faultlines, a collection of Lisa Fannen’s poetry set to music.

Originally hailing from the high desert of northern New Mexico, Cahalen has toured solo, as a duo with Eli West, and with his band Western Centuries over the past 15 years, and has performed on stage with the likes of Tim O’Brien, Kelly Joe Phelps, Hot Rize, David Grisman, Dirk Powell, Crooked Still, Sierra Hull, Jerry Douglas, Phil Cunningham, Aly Bain and Kris Drever.

Well known for his singular turn of phrase and curiously poignant songs, Cahalen dips deep into the well of tradition while the pushing boundaries of contemporary songwriting. He is equally at home on guitar, banjo, mandolin, singing three-part harmony or unaccompanied.
Cahalen has played all over the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Western Europe, and at festivals that include the Transatlantic Sessions, the Strawberry Music Festival, the Shetland Folk Festival, Celtic Connections, and many more.
Cahalen is based in Glasgow. Currently working on an exciting new project, he is also a regular at many sessions, eats as much black pudding as he can and is to be found most evenings in one of the city’s many parks or along the Clyde with his dog.

This is a BYOB event.
Doors open at 7.30pm.

Every Christmas Eve, Santa and his Reindeer come to Newtonmore before they set off on their Round the World journey to deliver presents – why not join us to see him off on his journey! He usually arrives about 20.15 opposite the Glen Hotel and, accompanied by pipers, makes his way to the Highlander Hotel, where they provide some seasonal refreshments before he continues on his way.

TOMS (The Osprey Music Society) will host three singers from the Opera Bohemia ensemble: Douglas Nairn – Baritone and Piano, Catriona Clerk – Soprano and Connor Smith – Tenor. The evening’s entertainment will have a Burns theme.

Really thrilled to announce that we will be welcoming the fantastic @amy_accordion and @mrmacpherson on the evening of the 20th Dec for Music by the fire, with Accordian, Guitar and Song.

Tickets are £10 (advance tickets link in bio or come into Eleven41 Gallery) with complementary interval mulled wine and mince pie. This is going to be a stunning addition to our festive season and we can’t wait!

Local farmers bring festive cheer as they travel around local villages:
Grantown Showfield 5pm
Cromdale 5.15pm
Nethybridge 5.45pm
Boat of Garten 6.05pm
Carrbridge 6.25pm
Grantown High Street 7pm
Come and give them a wave!

Timings approximate.

Come and support this super community cinema – Paddington In Peru, Lee, Wicked, Gladiator II and The Outrun are all on the line up. Go to the website for full listing.

5pm. Come join us to sing Christmas songs at the Christmas tree on the Green in Boat of Garten

5.30pm .Christmas Carols in St Columba’s Church , Boat of Garten

6pm. After all that effort – mince pies and mulled wine at the Boat Hotel – kindly supplied by the Hotel.

Boat of Garten’s Hogmanay Ceilidh is back to see in 2025!
Join us and enjoy The Gorachs Ceilidh Band to see in the bells, doors open at 8pm.

* Licenced bar
* Food from Heavy Metal Munchies included in ticket

Limited tickets available on Eventbrite or from the Hall directly.
01479 831123 | info@boathall.org.uk

Come along and enjoy a fun one hour class where kids will use existing pre cut stencils or cut their own (with help of accompanying adult) and screen print a wooden Christmas bauble.
This is a fun way for kids to try screen printing and take home a ‘me made’ product that you can keep for years to come that will add a personal touch to your Christmas decorations.

Cairngorm Community Cinema – Kneecap w/special guest.

We are back, for take two! Cairngorm Community Cinema is bringing the magic of independent and art-house films to the heart of the Highlands, making use of the screen at the Spey Valley Cinema.

For our second event, we are showing the conversation fire starter of a film “Kneecap”. The true story of the Belfast trip who become unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save their mother tongue.

Doors at 6.40pm, film start 6.45pm Plus we will have a special guest joining us for an after film chat.
Community-owned but operated in partnership with Spey Valley Cinema and supported by the BFI and Film Hub Scotland, Cairngorm Community Cinema aims to create a space where the community can gather, discover new perspectives, and enjoy film.

At just £5 a ticket, we’re making it accessible to all. Tickets only available on the door, so just show up! 18+ only.