SEALL Festival of Small Halls PROGRAMME 2018 WEB

2018 People Place Performance Brought to Skye and Lochalsh by SEALL, one of the best rural performing arts promoters in...

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2018 People Place Performance

Brought to Skye and Lochalsh by SEALL, one of the best rural performing arts promoters in Scotland SEALL: An Seòmar Uaine Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Sleat, Isle of Skye IV44 8RQ T: 01471 844207 | E: [email protected] | W: www.seall.co.uk | @sealleventsskye

BIG MUSIC IN SMALL HALLS Jarlath Henderson | Duncan Chisholm | Mairearad Green | Innes Watson Donald Shaw | Mike Vass | Seán Gray | Ewan MacPherson Aaron Jones | Sorren MacLean | Hector MacInnes Welcome to our first SEALL Festival of Small of civic pride and place, our Gaelic heritage, Halls, an eight-day multi-artform winter festival hospitality and friendship. bringing big music to small halls around Skye and Lochalsh with the emphasis Concerts are taking place in Braes, on celebration and friendship. Breakish, Edinbane, Elgol, Kilmuir, Everyone is welcome. Minginish, Plockton, Raasay, Tarskavaig and Waternish. We bring the best traditional There will be public and musicians to our remote rural school workshops across the townships, using Scotland’s participating communities, national day - St Andrew’s Day and the festival ends with a - as a reason to celebrate our spectacular celebratory concert unique Highland culture and music and cèilidh for all in honour of tradition. Scotland’s National Day. People, place and performance are the themes of the festival which focuses on community spirit and promotes the relevance of Scotland’s traditional culture to present and future generations.

The 2018 festival begins on 23 November and ends with a celebratory cèilidh, featuring seven of our participating musicians, at the Sligachan Hotel’s Seumas’ Bar on St Andrew’s Day, 30 November.

The festival takes some of the country’s greatest trad musicians, a writer, visual artist and videographer to small halls in remote rural areas, joining communities to each other and the rest of the world through celebration

We invite everyone to bring their dancing shoes, come along and join in these very special community events. We look forward very much to welcoming you. THE SEALL TEAM

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 3

PEOPLE THE PERFORMERS

THE ARTISTS

Jarlath Henderson Duncan Chisholm Mairearad Green Innes Watson Donald Shaw Mike Vass Seán Gray Ewan MacPherson Aaron Jones Sorren MacLean Hector MacInnes

Artist: Amanda Thomson Writer: Elizabeth Reeder Videographer: Sandy Butler

Malin Lewis Lewis McLaughlin

The SOUND ENGINEER

THE ORGANISERS Festival producer: Marie Lewis SEALL Director: Duncan MacInnes Communications manager: Sara Bain

The GRAPHIC DESIGNER Philippa Thomas

Hector MacInnes

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ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

THE MUSICIANS PEOPLE Jarlath Henderson

Duncan Chisholm Fiddle

Accordion, small pipes

The youngest ever BBC Young Folk Musician awardwinner, Jarlath Henderson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, producer and doctor. Hailed as “one of the brightest young talents on the current piping scene” and “startlingly good”, the Tyroneborn champion Uilleann piper also plays whistle, cittern and flute and is becoming increasingly well-known for his fine singing voice.

Arguably the most authentic and accomplished interpreter of traditional Highland fiddle music, the correlation between music and the natural world lies at the heart of Duncan Chisholm’s inspiration.

Having grown up in the West Coast Coigach peninsula of the Scottish Highlands – an area steeped in culture and local traditions – Mairearad was introduced to folk music at an early age.

The natural elements which make the Highlands such a unique canvas have been the force behind his music. Duncan’s melodic interpretations seek to paint imagined visual pictures through music and have garnered him worldwide acclaim. Hailed the new sound of traditional Scotland, Duncan’s playing is sophisticated, exhilarating and meltingly beautiful.

Renowned for her deft and lyrical accordion style, as well as her dextrous piping, Mairearad is in great demand not only as a performer, but also as a composer.

Uilleann pipes, flute, voice

Jarlath’s debut solo album, Hearts Broken, Heads Turned and his “simply outstanding” studio album Air-Fix with Ross Ainslie were both released to high critical international praise.

Mairearad Green

Mairearad started the Summer Isles Festival in 2012 in her home village of Achiltibuie – adding festival director to her list of credits and won PRS Composer of the Year, at the Scots Trad Music Awards.

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 5

PEOPLE THE MUSICIANS INNES WATSON Guitar

Glasgow-based Innes Watson is an award-winning multiinstrumentalist with over ten years of contemporary and traditional Scottish music performance, recording, teaching and producing experience. He grew up in the Scottish Borders in very supportive musical surroundings encouraging an eclectic mix of skills, abilities, interests and accolades that combine to make Innes one of the most highly-regarded and soughtafter musicians on the scene today. He teaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

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Donald Shaw

Mike Vass

Accordion, PiANO

Fiddle, Guitar

Acclaimed Scottish musician Donald Shaw is a producer, award-winning composer and the current artistic director of Glasgow’s Celtic Connections.

Mike Vass is one of the most creative forces on the Scottish music scene.

With his roots in traditional music, Donald has recorded and collaborated on over 100 albums with musicians in all styles of music, created many film and television scores, and directed large-scale live commissions. Brought up in Argyll on Scotland’s west coast, Donald has toured worldwide with Capercaillie - the folk band he co-founded whilst at school who have gone on to sell over a million albums.

As a musician, composer, producer and arranger Mike has amassed a body of work that encompasses early appearances as a livewire young fiddler, collaborations with many of the leading voices among today’s Scots and Gaelic tradition bearers, delivering multi-media performances, overseeing critically acclaimed recordings, and scoring for prestigious ensembles. Born in Nairn, Mike has amassed a host of awards over his musical career.

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

THE MUSICIANS PEOPLE SEÁN GRAY

flute, whistle, guitar

Seán Gray is a flute, whistle and guitar player from the village of Coylton in Ayrshire. He attended The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton where he studied wooden flute with Dougie Pincock (Battlefield Band) and guitar with Jack Evans (The Easy Club). Since then he has toured throughout Europe and North America with the award winning Paul McKenna Band. During this time he was involved in recording four studio albums including his latest project Modulɘ.

EWAN MACPHERSON MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS

Now based in the Highlands Shooglenifty’s Ewan MacPherson has been working in the music industry for 20 years. As a multi-instrumentalist he is a recognised figure on the vibrant Scottish music scene. Ewan is a founder member of three bands and has taken stages around the world with a wide range of traditional and contemporary folk/roots artists. In 1998, he was nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2014 MG Alba Trad Music Awards and his last album Fetch! picked up a Songlines Top of the World recognition.

AARON JONES

MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS

Aaron Jones is one of the most sought-after accompanists on the traditional music scene today. He continues to tour worldwide and record with many of the biggest names in traditional music, including Kate Rusby, Siobhan Miller, Emily Smith, Robyn Stapleton and many more. As well as being an official accompanist for the BBC Young Traditional Scottish Musician of the Year Awards for ten years, Aaron was voted Instrumentalist of the Year in a public vote at the 2005 Scots Trad Music Awards. He is a passionate member of the Live Performance Committee of the UK Musicians Union.

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 7

PEOPLE THE MUSICIANS SORREN MACLEAN Guitar, voice

Sorren MacLean is considered to be “one of Mull’s finest exports.” Having spent years writing, recording and touring with the likes of Roddy Woomble, Dougie Maclean and Mull Historical Society, this acclaimed guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer has emerged as one of Scotland’s most versatile musical talents. Sorren has performed on over 20 albums and has been described as having “an emerging style of his own that feels like a natural part of the musical DNA of someone brought up off the Scottish mainland.” Sunday Herald.

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HECTOR MACINNES Guitar, drums

Hector is a songwriter, producer and sound artist from Skye. An eclectic and inventive musician, he creates work for theatre, installations, live performance and film. He won the inaugural Martyn Bennett Prize for traditional composition. Recent projects include Suspension and Disbelief, a commissioned collaboration with artist and designer Philippa Thomas, and a funding award from Help Musicians UK to explore composition and performance with step-dancer Sophie Stephenson. Hector is one quarter of folk-noir pioneers The Dead Man’s Waltz.

MALIN LEWIS

PIPES AND FIDDLE

Malin Lewis is an awardwinning piper, fiddle player and pipe maker from Skye who is currently studying music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

LEWIS McLaughlin FIDDLE, tenor guiitar

Brought up in Edinburgh with a very musical family, Lewis is studying for an Applied Trad Music degree at UHI.

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

THE ARTISTS PEOPLE ELIZABETH REEDER

AMANDA THOMSON

SANDY BUTLER

Elizabeth K Reeder writes novels, essays, and stories. She also writes for the radio and teaches Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow.

Amanda Thomson is a visual artist, researcher and writer. She is a graduate from Glasgow School of Art, where she currently teaches, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Edinburgh-based freelance videographer and musician Sandy Butler creates a cinematic feel in his films using modern techniques such as 4K, super-slow-motion and handheld stabilised movement. One of Sandy’s main enthusiasms is working with musicians. Having grown up with parents, a record producer and a visual artist, Sandy has always been passionate about the arts, and capturing them at their best.

WRITER

Her first novel, Ramshackle, was shortlisted for a number of awards including a Saltire Literary award (2013). Her second novel, Fremont, a story of ill-starred fairytale romance is full of prejudice and desire, garnered great reviews. During the festival Elizabeth will be responding to people, place and music via blogging, gathering, being in conversation with, documenting and sharing.

VISUAL ARTIST

Her creative practice is research-led and fuses traditional and digital printmaking techniques with photography, bookmaking, video and sound and creative non-fiction. For the festival, Amanda will be giving a talk about her recently published book, A Scots Dictionary of Nature.

VIDEOGRAPHER

Recent clients include Karine Polwart and The List, as well as larger arts organisations like the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 9

PLACE THE SMALL HALLS Braes p 19 Breakish p 16 Edinbane p 21 Elgol p 11 Kilmuir p 20 Minginish p 13 Plockton p 18 Raasay p 12 Tarskavaig p 14 Waternish p 17

THE SESSIONS

St Andrew’s night celebration

Seumas’ Bar Sligachan Hotel pp 22&23

THE WORKSHOPS

p29

Isle of Raasay Distillery p 12 The Old Inn Carbost p 15 Ferry Inn Uig p29 Seumas’ Bar Sligachan p29

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THE BIG CÈILIDH

p29

Elgol Hall Raasay Hall Braes Hall Carbost Primary School Struan Primary School Kyle Primary School Kyleakin Primary School Knockbreck Primary School MacDiarmid Primary School Plockton High School Kilmuir Primary School Edinbane Primary School Dunvegan Primary School

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

ELGOL PLACE FRIDAY 23 NOVEMBER 7.30PM elgol hall OPENING NIGHT DOUBLE BILL Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson | Mairearad Green, Sorren MacLean and Hector MacInnes

Workshop: 3.30pm-5pm Festival dinner: 6pm Concert: 7.30pm In the far southwest corner of the Strathaird Peninsula, lies the stunning harbour township of Elgol, home to around 150 people. This small, scattered hamlet is reached via 14 miles of some of the most dramatic scenery on the Isle of Skye. Elgol Village Hall was opened in 1998 after a huge community fundraising effort spanning many years and gala days. In its time the hall has played host to a variety of musical and dramatic performances and many community social events. Located within the hall is the Elgol shop catering for locals and visitors throughout the year. The shop is a favourite stop for groceries, gifts and local crafts and the café serves delicious fresh food and a great cup of coffee. The Elgol and Torrin Historical society is based in the hall

which currently contains a wealth of old photos documenting the village over past and recent years. The hall is the only community facility in the area and is well used by Elgol Primary School, the church and sports groups.

how to get there

3 Elgol Isle of Skye IV49 9BJ

From the A87 at Broadford, take the B8083 single As a community, Elgol is excited track road to Elgol. Follow to be hosting the opening the road for 14 miles to Elgol night of the SEALL Festival of Continue through the Small Halls and look forward to village. village until the road turns left. welcoming all. There is a bar on Elgol Village Hall is on the left.

the evening and a celebratory festival dinner (payable by donation) at 6pm.

Parking There is ample parking across the road from the hall.

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 11

PLACE RAASAY SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2.30PM RAASAY hall LUNCHTIME CONCERT

Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson followed by tunes and whisky tasting at Raasay Distillery Workshop: 11.30am-1pm Festival lunch: 1pm-2pm Concert: 2.30pm A 20 minute ferry trip from Sconser on Skye brings you to Raasay. A pleasant 15 minute walk along the shore path from the ferry terminal, Raasay Community Hall is at the heart of the island situated near the main settlement of Inverarish. It boasts one of the best views from any community hall and provides a fantastic venue and varied annual events programme for both the community and visitors alike.

The musicians will host a workshop in the morning and a pre concert festival lunch will be served at 1pm in the hall.

Whisky tasting and tunes at Raasay Distillery After the concert, festival celebrations continue at the Isle of Raasay Distillery with music from Malin Lewis and Lewis McLaughlin and whisky tasting session at 4pm.

Tickets £15 from the distillery on 01478 470178 or email [email protected]

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how to get there

Isle of Raasay IV40 8PA

Take the CalMac ferry from Sconser Ferry terminal. From Raasay terminal, follow the road up the hill and around to the right for 0.7 miles. Take the right fork and the next right. 15 min walk from the ferry. Parking: There is ample parking at the hall.

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

MINGINISH PLACE SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 7.30PM MINGINISH hall

MAIREARAD GREEN, SORREN MACLEAN AND HECTOR MACINNES | EWAN MACPHERSON, MIKE VASS, AARON JONES Pre-concert curry: 6pm Concert: 7.30pm Divided from the rest of Skye by Loch Harport and the Cuillin Hills, Minginish is an area of outstanding natural beauty with steep-sided glens, rugged coastlines, wide sandy bays and dramatic waterfalls. The main village on this stunning peninsula is Carbost, home to the Talisker Distillery, the superb Old Inn, the Stop Shop local stores and The Oyster Shed. About five and a half miles away, beyond the Fairy Pools and lying under the shadow of the Cuillin Hills, is the popular Glenbrittle campsite with its café serving local speciality Cuillin Coffee.

Tonight’s Festival concert takes the form of a spectacular double bill featuring six of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians all under one roof. To make the most of the celebrations, the Old Inn, Carbost, will be running the bar and putting on a special preThe new Minginish Community concert curry meal in the hall Hall at Portnalong opened from 6pm. Booking is essential on 27 June 2009 and is well for the meal: phone 01478 supported by regular groups 640205 or email enquiries@ that meet weekly and lively theoldinnskye.co.uk programme of events. Not After the concert, the far away is the Taigh Ailean celebrations continue at the Hotel, popular with locals and Old Inn with a lively session. visitors.

how to get there

Portnalong Carbost IV47 8SL From the A87 at Sligachan, take the A863 Dunvegan Road for 5.2 miles. Turn left onto B8009 Carbost and continue through the village to Talisker Distillery. Follow the road around to the left to Pornalong. Turn left towards Fiscavaig and the hall is on the left just after the turning. Parking: There is ample parking at the hall.

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 13

PLACE TARSKAVAIG SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER 3PM TARSKAVAIG hall Mairearad Green, Sorren MacLean and Hector MacInnes

The small coastal township of Tarskavaig lies in a picturesque glen on Sleat’s western shore, overlooking Tarskavaig Bay and the isles of Eigg, Rum and Canna, with some of the best views of the iconic Cuillin Hills. Tarskavaig Communities Hall is the centre of a unique and vibrant crofting community; run by residents for the benefit of the communities of Tarskavaig, Achnacloich, Tokavaig and Ord and provides a venue for small events, cèilidhs, meetings and the renowned summer café. The stunning panoramas and sunsets over the Cuillin have inspired many artists and musicians including Donald MacKenzie and Gary Mahon who live and work in the area. In the best highland tradition, hall events are firmly rooted in local culture and reach out worldwide to the benefit of all. For many years Tarskavaig

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Concert, tea and some great home baking By donation

communities have enjoyed innovative and adventurous programmes featuring both local musicians and gaelic singers, young and not so young, and internationally acclaimed performers. Tarskavaig has also had its own Fèis and book festival featuring major Scottish writers in both Gaelic and English. Tarskavaig communities welcome the idea of a Festival of Small Halls as this will continue the tradition of the spirit of the hall.

how to get there

Tarskavaig IV44 8SA

From the A87 at the southeast end of Broadford, take the A851 Armadale road and follow it for approximately 13.3 miles to Kilbeg. Turn right and follow the single track road to Tarskavaig for 4 miles. The hall is on the right before the village. Parking: There is parking at the hall and on the road.

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

OLD INN CARBOST PLACE SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2.30PM THE OLD INN CARBOST Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson

With its cosy, laid-back atmosphere, stunning views, real ale, great food and the warmest of welcomes, there’s little doubt the Old Inn is “probably the best pub in Carbost!” Sitting on the shore of Loch Harport - the only sheltered loch on the west of Skye - this lively free house is popular with hillwalkers, climbers, sailors, visitors and locals, all of whom enjoy coming together around an open fire for a pint, a hearty plate of hot food from a great menu and listening to the live entertainment which is played every Thursday and Friday night.

The inn also provides comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation and beds at the Bunkhouse next door, popular with outdoor enthusiasts. The Old Inn’s long tradition of putting on great live events has given it a reputation of being an Island mecca for traditional music fans. This gig, which will be opened by Malin Lewis and Lewis McLaughlin, is kindly sponsored and hosted by the Old Inn which, will be serving food all day, and is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

how to get there

Carbost IV47 8SR From the A87 at Sligachan, turn east onto the A863 Dunvegan road and follow it for about five miles. Turn left onto the B8009 towards Carbost and the Talisker Distillery. The inn is on the right in the centre of the village. Parking: There is limited parking at the inn and on the other side of the road.

FREEHOUSE

Live Music • Food and Drink

LIVE MUSIC • FOOD AND DRINK • B&B • BUNKHOUSE ACCOMMODATION www.theoldinnskye.co.uk • 01478 640205

B&B • Bunkhouse Accommodation box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected]

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PLACE BREAKISH TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 7.30PM BREAKISH HALL DUNCAN CHISHOLM, JARLATH HENDERSON, DONALD SHAW AND INNES WATSON

Home to the liqueur Drambuie, Broadford, with its neighbouring township of Harapool, is the Isle of Skye’s second largest settlement. Originally a cattle market town, Broadford lies between the mountain of Beinn na Cailleach and the Inner Sound on the A87. The town has two harbours with spectacular views over the Sound to the islands of Scalpay, Pabay and the Crowlins as well (Breakish Hall) is one of the as the Applecross peninsula on livliest community venues on Skye. the mainland. For the visitor, there is a great selection of cafés, restaurants, pubs, accommodation providers and shops in the town catering for all budgets and all tastes. The town is also home to a number of artists and craftmakers. Situated a few miles east of Broadford, Talla Bhreacais

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how to get there

Breakish IV42 8PY The hall is home to the From the Breakish Folk Club which meets A87 Kyle of Lochalsh to on the first Monday of each Broadford month. The venue is also well road, supported by its communities Breakish is who attend the regular music approx five events, workshops, classes, miles west craft fairs and dances. of the roundabout after the Skye Road Bridge. The hall is off the Tonight’s concert is a bring your road on the right opposite the own bottle event and there will Shiloh Bed and Breakfast.

be tea and coffee available on the evening.

Parking: There is limited parking at the hall.

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

WATERNISH PLACE TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 7PM WATERNISH HALL MAIREARAD GREEN AND MIKE VASS

With its spectacular views across the Minch to the Outer Isles, wonderful sunsets and official Dark Skies status, it is no wonder that visitors flock to Waternish. This stunning peninsula in the Island’s north west is home to some of the best visitor attractions on Skye: the oldest inn on Skye, The Stein Inn; Michelin starred Loch Bay Restaurant; and the VisitScotland 5-star tannery, SkyeSkyns. As well as Dandelion Designs there are several galleries offering local art and photography. Built in the 1950s, Waternish Hall in Hallin was refurbished around 10 years ago. Works included new roofing, extended storage space and a new kitchen. The hall is very well supported by the local community and events take place every week day as well as some Saturdays.

There are a number of groups that use the hall regularly for activities and meetings to conduct community business. In addition there is an annual Christmas Fair, regular cèilidhs and music nights and a monthly 100 Club lottery which gives out prizes, supports local endeavours with a proportion going towards the hall’s running costs. Tonight’s event includes a bar and tea and coffee will also be served on the evening.

how to get there

Hallin IV55 8GH From the A87 Portree to Uig road, turn left onto the A850 Dunvegan road at Borve. Follow the road for 14 miles and turn right onto B886 at the Fairy Bridge. After 4 miles, take the right-hand turn onto MacLeod’s Terrace. Waternish Hall is on the right just after the sign for Hallin. Parking: There is parking in front of the hall.

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 17

PLACE PLOCKTON WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 7.30PM PLOCKTON HALL Mairearad Green, Mike Vass and Seán Gray

Hailed as “the jewel of the Highlands”, the beautiful harbour village of Plockton lies in a spectacular setting on the southern shores of Loch Carron on mainland Lochalsh. A strong and vibrant communitry ensures this popular tourist destination offers almost everything for the visitor without losing he village’s identity as a traditional fishing and crofting township. From here, there are plenty of outdoor activities for the intrepid, including sailing, kayaking, wildlife trips, cycling and walking. For the less adventurous, there are coach trips around the Isle of Skye, a good number of places to eat and drink as well as a visitor centre, shops and arts and craft ventures.

either attended or teach at the school, including tonight’s musicians.

Plockton High School is home to the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music (NCETM) and many of Scotland’s finest musicians

Tonight’s event will be opened by NCETM students. Tea and coffee by donation provided by Plockton High School Residence pupils.

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Plockton Village Hall is wellrun and supported by its communities. Normal hall activities include drama, yoga, playgroup and art classes held weekly; craft fairs, jewellery shows, concerts, and weddings.

how to get there

36 Harbour St Plockton IV52 8TJ

From the A87 Kyle of Lochalsh to Dornie road, turn left and follow the signs to Plockton. Continue into Innes Street past the High School on left and towards the harbour. Turn left onto Harbour Street and the hall is on the righ on the Cooper Street junction. Parking: There is parking on the road and in the harbour carpark.

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

BRAES PLACE WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 7.30PM BRAES HALL Duncan Chisholm, Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson

Workshop: 4.45pm

Soup and sandwiches: 6.30pm

Concert: 7.30pm

On the southern side of Loch Portree, a short drive from Skye’s bustling capital, lies the beautiful Braes peninsula - the Island’s hidden gem. Braes is a quiet residential area made up of a series of rural townships along the B839. Here can be found one of Scotland’s finest hillwalks - a three and a half-mile hike up Ben Tianavaig with incredible views across the Sound, the Cuillin Hills and the dramatic Trotternish Peninsula. Braes also boasts some of the best beaches on Skye: the sands of Camas Ban in the north of the peninsula and the sweeping tombolo beach of Camas a’ Mhòr Bheòil, with its nearby caves, sea stacks and remnants of an ancient fort. The village hall of Braes dates back to 1840 when it was a

how to get there

schoolhouse. Now a thriving village hall, the community enjoy talks and craft sessions, Lower Ollach exhibitions, quiz evenings, craft Braes IV51 9LJ fairs, parties and cèilidhs as well as a pop-up tearoom. Tonight’s event is a celebration of community life and all are welcome. This is a bring your own bottle event and soup and sandwiches will be available from 6.30pm before the concert begins at 7.30pm. A music workshop takes place in the hall at 4.45pm. Details and booking on page 29.

From the A87 outbound road from Portree, turn left onto the B838 and follow the road southwards towards Braes for four miles to Lower Ollach. The hall is on the left to the left of the recyling point Parking: There is parking n front of the hall.

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PLACE KILMUIR THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER 7PM KILMUIR HALL Mairearad Green and Seán Gray

The most northerly hall in the SEALL Festival of Small Halls is found right at the top of the Trotternish Peninsula, overlooking the Inner Sound and the islands of Lewis and Harris. Trotternish is served by a loop road which offers a circular driving tour around the Trotternish Ridge - a spine of high ground running along the length of the peninsula. Ferries to the Outer Isles run regularly from the harbour of Uig. Here can be seen some of the most dramatic and unusual natural phenomena in Scotland and visitors flock to this north eastern part of the Island to see first-hand the mighty spectacles of the Old Man of Storr, the Kilt Rock, the Fairy Glen and the Quiraing. The eastern part of the peninsula is famous for its dinosaur fossils and is recognised as one of the world’s most important places for finding mid-Jurassic traces of giant beasts that walked the

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world over 170 million years ago. In the northwest of the peninsula lies the Gaelicspeaking area of Kilmuir, home to the Museum of Island Life, Flora MacDonald’s grave and a number of local businesses, including Whitewave, a small but busy family run centre offering outdoor activities and experiences, with self catering accommodation in rooms and wooden wigwams.

how to get there

Kilmuir IV51 9UB

From the A87 at Uig, take the northbound A855 towards Staffin. Follow the road for about 14 miles through Kilvaxter and the hall is situated just to the left of the Herbusta road end which is on the right. Parking: There is parking n the

Tonight's concert is followed by hall carpark. a session at the Ferry Inn, Uig.

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

EDINBANE PLACE THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER 7PM EDINBANE HALL Duncan Chisholm, Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson

At the head of Loch Greshornish, just off the A850 Portree to Dunvegan Road, lies the crofting village of Edinbane. Although small in scale, Edinbane has a thriving community with a number of excellent accommodation and food and drink providers, as well as a campsite and Edinbane Pottery, complete with its wood-fired kilns and craft shop. The village is also home to Shanks Plumbing & Renewables - an important local employer and a professional and wellestablished plumbing firm covering all aspects of the trade.

and the Edinbane Inn is open for bar meals from 5.30pm. Booking is essential: 01470 582414 or email [email protected]

Tonight’s concert is kindly sponsored by the Edinbane In the centre of the village is Community the Edinbane Inn ith its regular Company, a charity traditional music sessions and established to the newly opened Edinbane act as a vehicle to Lodge run by head chef Calum manage community benefit Montgomery. funds generated through the Edinbane windfarm. To add to the celebrations this evening, there will be an opening set by local musicians

how to get there

Edinbane IV51 9PW

From the A850 Portree to Dunvegan road, turn left into Edinbane village centre. After passing the Edinbane Inn on the left, the hall is on the second left at the end of the road signed towards the cemetery. Parking: There is parking in the hall carpark.

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PLACE SEUMAS’ BAR SLIGACHAN FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER 7.30PM

THE BIG CÈILIDH

JARLATH HENDERSON, DUNCAN CHISHOLM, MAIREARAD GREEN, DONALD SHAW, ST ANDREW’S DAY CELEBRATIONS MIKE VASS, INNES WATSON, SEÁN GRAY

The 2018 SEALL Festival of Small Halls plays out in a grand finale on 30 November at Seumas’ Bar when seven of our participating musicians take to the stage for a mammoth celebratory concert and cèilidh dance for everyone. This unique event is supported by Scotland’s Winter Festivals Event Fund and, the festival’s major local business sponsors, the Sligachan Hotel, and is the culmination of SEALL’s new eight-day festival which celebrates Scottish traditional music, Highland culture and civic pride.

The evening includes an optional special preconcert meal, bookable separately from the Sligachan Hotel (menu, prices and booking information on facing page). This is a chance to celebrate community living, friendship and good music on Scotland’s national day with seven of the country’s finest traditional musicians under one roof.

Buy a ticket for any one of our events and get £2 off the price of a ticket to the Big St Andrew’s Night Cèilidh. See p 30 for details on how to book.

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ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

PLACE SEUMAS’ BAR SLIGACHAN

CELEBRATE SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL DAY WITH US

The Big Cèilidh at Sligachan is part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals Event Fund celebrations - a unique and distinctive programme of events honouring Scotland’s three national days - St Andrew’s Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night.

Scotland’s Winter Festivals is designed to celebrate the spirit and fun of Scotland’s winter season, all warmed up, with a range of exciting events and activity throughout the country. The programme brings people together from all over the

world to celebrate Scotland’s heritage and modern culture and traditions through the best of Scottish music, arts, food and drink and entertainment.

Tonight’s event will be a unique and very special evening when seven of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians - Duncan Chisholm, Donald Shaw, Jarlath Henderson, Mairearad Green, Mike Vass, Innes Watson and Seán Gray - come together for a one-off spectacular concert and good, old-fashioned cèilidh dance. ALL WELCOME.

THE ST ANDREW’S MENU Dinner will be served in Seumas' Bar from 6pm - 8.30pm. BOOKING ESSENTIAL

01478 650204

PRICES

MAIN: £12.95 TWO COURSES: £15.95 THREE COURSES: £18.95 A glass of house wine included per person

MENU

Starters

Cuillin Skink with chunky bloomer bread Chef’s own chicken liver pâté with red onion chutney and crostini Pickled herring with a pickled salad

Mains

Highland Venison casserole with celeriac, root vegetables and a parsley and mustard mash Cuillin Ale battered haddock with home-made chips and peas Three bean chilli, sour cream and basmati rice Lemon and thyme chicken supreme, new potatoes, seasonal veg with a creamy jus

Desserts

Sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch and vanilla ice cream Cranachan served with shortbread Selection of Scottish cheeses

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 23

SEA KAYAK EXPERIENCES AND COACHING FOR A

PLACE OUR LOCAL SUPPORTERS

EAT, DRINK AND SLEEP IN THE HEART OF THE CUILLIN Home to its own museum, micro-brewery, and awardwinning whisky bar and restaurant, Sligachan Hotel offers comfortable pet-friendly accommodation, great food and a very warm Highland welcome

TAXI SERVICE BASED IN CARBOST

Sligachan ∙ Carbost Portnalong ∙ Glenbrittle Fairy Pools ∙ Talisker ∙ Elgol Airport transfer and scenic tours

www.sligachan.co.uk

Up to six passengers. Friendly service and competitive rates

SLIGACHAN HOTEL, SLIGACHAN, ISLE OF SKYE, IV47 8SW

07342 006644

T: (+44) 1478 650 204 E: [email protected]

PAGE 24

carbostcars.business.site @carbostcarsskye

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

ALL LEVELS

OUR LOCAL SUPPORTERS PLACE

HOME OF THE CHIEFS OF CLAN MACLEOD FOR 800 YEARS

www.white-wave.co.uk A small but busy family-run outdoor centre offering outdoor activities and experiences, with self-catering accommodation in rooms and wigwams

LOCH DUNVEGAN SEAL TRIPS

Voted ‘1 of the Best UK Days Out’ by The Sunday Times Travel Magazine OPEN: 1 APRIL - 15 OCTOBER 10AM - 5.30PM (LAST ENTRY 5PM) DUNVEGAN CASTLE, ISLE OF SKYE IV55 8WF T: +44 (0) 1470 521206 E: [email protected] WWW.DUNVEGANCASTLE.COM

Linicro | Kilmuir | Isle of Skye | IV51 9YN Tel: 01470 542 414 Email: [email protected]

Shanks Plumbing & Renewables Ltd Samui, 9 Edinbane Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9PR shanksplumbingandrenewables.co.uk

Isle of Raasay Distillery 01478 470178 [email protected]

Ferry Inn, Uig, Isle of Skye 01470 542300 theferryinnskye.com A 19th century inn with restaurant, bar and rooms

Guided tours Whisky tasting Accommodation

CAFÉ • GROCERIES BAKING • GIFTS LOCAL CRAFTS CARDS • ICE CREAM

Borodale House Isle of Raasay IV40 8PB

elgolshop.com

The first legal distillery on the Isle of Raasay

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 25

Scotland’s young people are shining in 2018 Scotland is putting young people in the spotlight, celebrating their talents, contributions and creating new opportunities for them to shine in celebration of the Year of Young People 2018. Find out more at visitscotland.com/yoyp2018 Join the conversation #YOYP2018

PAGE 26

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

PERFORMANCE THE CONCERTS SEE PAGE 27

THE WORKSHOPS PUBLIC WORKSHOPS Elgol Hall Raasay Hall Braes Hall

See page 29 for details and to book

SCHOOL WORKSHOPS Carbost, Struan, Kyle, Kyleakin, Knockbreck, MacDiarmid, Plockton, Kilmuir, Edinbane and Dunvegan School workshops kindly supported by the Highland Council; Shanks Plumbing and Renewables; Dunvegan Castle; Whitewave Outdoor Centre

THE SESSIONS The Old Inn Carbost Ferry Inn Uig Seamas’ Bar Sligachan Isle of Raasay Distillery See page 29 for details

THE BIG CÈILIDH 30 November 7.30pm Seumas’ Bar Sligachan

... even more For a full list of scheduled events taking place throughout the festival, visit our website

www.seall.co.uk

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 27

PERFORMANCE THE CONCERTS Friday 23 November 7.30pm ELGOL HALL

OPENING NIGHT DOUBLE BILL Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson Mairearad Green, Sorren MacLean and Hector MacInnes

Saturday 24 November 2.30pm RAASAY HALL

LUNCHTIME CONCERT Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson followed by tunes and whisky tasting session at the Raasay Distillery:

Saturday 24 November 7.30pm MINGINISH HALL

Ewan MacPherson, Mike Vass and Aaron Jones Mairearad Green, Sorren MacLean and Hector MacInnes

Sunday 25 November 3pm TARSKAVAIG HALL

AFTERNOON: Mairearad Green, Sorren MacLean and Hector MacInnes

Sunday 25 November 2.30pm OLD INN, CARBOST

AFTERNOON: Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson

Tuesday 27 November 7.30pm BREAKISH HALL

Duncan Chisholm, Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson

Tuesday 27 November 7pm WATERNISH HALL

Mairearad Green and Mike Vass

Wednesday 28 November 7.30pm PLOCKTON HALL

Mairearad Green, Mike Vass and Seán Gray

Wednesday 28 November 7.30pm BRAES HALL

Duncan Chisholm, Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson

Thursday 29 November 7pm KILMUIR HALL

Mairearad Green and Seán Gray

Thursday 29 November 7pm EDINBANE HALL

Duncan Chisholm, Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson

Friday 30 November 7.30pm SEUMAS’ BAR

Spectacular ST ANDREW’S NIGHT CÈILIDH DANCE with Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw, Duncan Chisholm, Mike Vass, Mairearad Green, Innes Watson and Seán Gray. Open to everyone

Saturday 1 December 2pm SEUMAS’ BAR

Afternoon survivors’ session for anyone still standing

PAGE 28

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

THE SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS PERFORMANCE

THE SESSIONS

THE WORKSHOPS

SLIGACHAN HOTEL, SEUMAS’ BAR Friday 23 November

Open to the public Bookings: www.seall.co.uk

Hosted by Malin Lewis and Lewis McLaughlin Saturday 24 November Hosted by Jarlath Henderson with Donald Shaw and Innes Watson Sunday 25 November Hosted by Mairearad Green with Sorren MacLean Thursday 29 November Hosted by Duncan Chisholm with Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw and Innes Watson Saturday 1 December Survivor’s session hosted by Malin Lewis and Zak Younger Banks

For times and further information visit www.seall.co.uk

ISLE OF RAASAY DISTILLERY Saturday 24 November 4pm

Tunes hosted by Malin Lewis and Lewis McLaughlin and whisky tasting session at the Distillery. Tickets £15. Booking essential. Tel 01478 470178 email [email protected]

FERRY INN, UIG Thursday 29 November 9.30pm Hosted by Mairearad Green and Seán Gray

Adult Donation U26 Free

ELGOL HALL

Friday 23 November 3pm Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw, Innes Watson

RAASAY HALL

24 November 11.30am Jarlath Henderson, Donald Shaw, Innes Watson

Braes Hall

28 November 4.45m Donald Shaw and Duncan Chisholm

THE ART

Monday 26 November Venue to be confirmed Artist Amanda Thomson will give a talk about her book A Scots Dictionary of Nature. Both Amanda and Elizabeth Reeder wil be documenting the festival via social media. Visit www.seall.co.uk for more information.

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 29

how to book Depending upon the event, adult tickets have been priced at £14 or £12. There is a £2 concession for SEALL seasons and members, older people, unwaged and carers. Tickets for the Big Céilidh start at £15. All of our events are half price to students and young people and free to primary age children.

Online Online 24-hour booking is available from the following sites.

Members and seasons discounts should be booked under “Concession”. Please note: There is a small booking fee for online ticket purchases.

BIG CÈILIDH SPECIAL TICKET OFFER Buy a ticket for any of our concerts and get £2 off the price

of a ticket to our Big Cèilidh St Andrew’s Night concert at Sligachan on 30 November. Simply purchase your concert ticket online in the normal way and then choose your ticket from the appropriate Special Ticket Offer options for the Big Cèilidh.

SEALL website: www.seall.co.uk Ticketsource: www.ticketsource.co.uk/seall Facebook: @SeallEventsSkye

Local ticket outlets A limited number of physical tickets is available from

members of the participating hall committees in each area. There is no booking fee on these tickets.

For a full list of local ticket outlets, visit our website: www.seall.co.uk

TERMS & CONDITIONS ◆ Tickets cannot be exchanged nor money refunded except where the performance is cancelled. ◆ All rights are reserved by SEALL to refuse admission or to alter the advertised programme. ◆ Latecomers will only be admitted when and if there is an appropriate break in the performance. ◆ The use of photographic/video equipment is prohibited. ◆ There may be official press and SEALL photographers and videographers taking footage of the performances and audiences at the events for press and publicity purposes. Should you not wish to appear in these images or videos, please let a member of staff know at the event or contact SEALL on 01471 844207; [email protected]

PAGE 30

WHO WE ARE

MARIE LEWIS: FESTIVAL PRODUCER

Marie Lewis is a fine arts graduate with 23 years’ experience in hospitality management and an in-depth knowledge of the Scottish traditional music scene. She joined SEALL in October 2016.

sara bain: communications/media

Writer, computer geek and photographer, Sara Bain has worked as a journalist and media officer for the arts and entertainments industry for almost 20 years. She joined SEALL in November 2016.

duncan macinnes: SEALL CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Inducted into this year’s Hands Up for Trad Hall of Fame, Duncan MacInnes began promoting live events in Sleat in 1985 and set up SEALL and the Skye Festival to deliver quality performing arts events to the local community.

PHILIPPA THOMAS: GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Philippa is a designer and printmaker living on Skye. You can see more of her recent projects and what she gets up to at philippacthomas.com

ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND

THANKS Thanks to our supporters The SEALL Festival of Small Halls would not be possible without the help of our generous funders, hall committees, communities, local businesses, supporters and volunteers.

We are grateful to the following organisations, individuals and businesses for making it all happen by providing funding, in-kind support, time, effort and encouragement. Creative Scotland Scotland’s Winter Festival Event Fund Culture and Business Fund Scotland The Highland Council Special thanks to our main business sponsors, THE SLIGACHAN HOTEL, for providing the accommodation for all our musicians. The Old Inn, Carbost Shanks Heating and Renwables, Edinbane The Edinbane Community Company Whitewater Outdoor Centre, Kilmuir Dunvegan Castle The Ferry Inn, Uig The Isle of Raasay Distillery Sabhal MÒr Ostaig Short Courses

Tom Fisher of Carbost Cars National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music, Plockton The hall committees and communities of Braes, Breakish, Edinbane, Elgol, Kilmuir, Minginish, Plockton, Raasay, Tarskavaig and Waternish. SEALL is grateful to the following businesses for their donations of items and services for the Small Halls auction and raffle prizes: Aeneas O’Hara, Away From The Ordinary Dominique O’Hara, Bernisdale Greshornish Hotel, Edinbane Harbro, Portree Home in the Highlands, Balmacara and Portree MacGillivray Motors Ltd, Armadale Òr, Portree Ragamuffin, Armadale Rick Taylor Ensemble Week, Torrin Sconser Golf Course Skyelark, Armadale Skye Paint Company, Portree Skye Soap Company, Portree South Skye Sea Kayak The Spoons self-catering, Bernisdale

Tippecanoe Gift Shop, Portree Apologies to those who came to us too late before this programme went to print. You know who you are and we thank you.

FIRST IN EUROPE

SEALL Festival of Small Halls is inspired by the Festival of Small Halls in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and our desire to develop a new touring structure to take great music into smaller venues within our extended community. The global Small Halls family includes Festivals of Small Halls in Australia and Ontario where communities host traditional artists in halls, inspired by the spirit of community, hospitality, exceptional music and fun. SEALL Festival of Small Halls is the first of its kind in Europe.

box office: www.seall.co.uk 01471 844207 [email protected] PAGE 31

isle of skye and lochalsh

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ISLE OF SKYE AND LOCHALSH, HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND