Speyfest 2011 - Sunday

The Survivors Ceilidh was an absolute classic! A fitting end to another great Speyfest - roll on Speyfest 2012!

Speyfest 2011 - Saturday

All the ingredients were there for a great night! Tyde started us off with a brilliant set, the main stage sound system showcasing their abundant musicianship to the full. The Hot Seats from Virginia, USA turned up the dial some more with their unique mix of Bluegrass, Old-time, Jazz, String Band and a few other genres for good measure! Tsuumi Sound System from Finland were next up on the main stage. They proved expert at mixing a diverse range of influences from traditional Finnish folk music to Jazz and a few other styles in between to create a really unique and energetic sound. Skerryvore finished the night off with a stunning set - the marquee was jumping! A perfect end to a perfect Speyfest Saturday!

Speyfest 2011 - Friday

Another great night at Speyfest 2011! Breabach got things started with their distinctive blend of traditional and contemporary, and as always delivered with exceptional style and musicianship. Eddi Reader took to the stage next, rather pleased that she'd managed to sample a dram of the new Glen Moray 10 year old! Eddi and her band treated us to an evening of stories and wonderful songs including some of her own work and some amazing covers. Once again, Eddi Reader had the delighted Speyfest crowd in the palm of her hand! We were spoilt for choice at the late night stomp with some wonderful performances from Tyde, RURA and Babelfish. Tour Bus Fortune kept the bar tent jumping!

Speyfest 2011 - Thursday

The opening concert of Speyfest 2011 got off to a great start and we were treated to performances by the Fochabers Fiddlers, Shona Donaldson and Duncan Chisholm and Friends. Duncan was supported by his dream team of Scottish and Irish traditional musicians: Tony Byrne - guitar, Allan Henderson - fiddle/piano, Martin O'Neill - bodhran and Gerry O'Connor - banjo. To complete the line up, the legendary Dougie MacLean!

Speyfest 2010

Some amazing photos from Speyfest 2010.

Survivor's Ceilidh

Saturday

Friday Concert & Ceilidh

The Friday concert got off to a fantastic start with Session A9 with their sophisticated arrangements and polished performance. They were followed on stage by the Old Blind Dogs with a superbly accomplished performance. Finally, we had Beoga who raised the roof with their energetic and foot-stomping take on traditional Irish music. To top the evening off, we had the Homecoming Ceilidh and were treated to an amazing performance from Fochabers Fiddlers past and present.

Thursday Concert

The Opening Concert at Speyfest 2009 got off to a resounding start with Julie Fowlis and her band who's members included Speyfest veteran, Duncan Chisholm. Julie was followed by the Dougie MacLean band who treated us to a magical performance with their unique blend of lyrical, 'roots based' songwriting and instrumental composition.

Survivor's Ceilidh

A perfect day to end a perfect Speyfest 2008. The Survivor's Ceilidh saw everyone enjoying the sun, warm temperatures and excellent music. Throughout the day, the capacity audience were entertained by the Fochabers Fiddlers, Lori Watson and the Rule of Three, the Ploughboys, Craig Duncan and Friends, Full Spate, the Vatersay Boys, Cachd-ach-Cruaidh and many others.

Sunday Kirk Service

The traditional cross-denominational Speyfest Kirk Service was held in the Festival Tent on 3 August. Musical accompaniment was provided from the Fochabers Fiddlers, Craig Duncan and Friends from Tennessee, and, to the pleasant surprise of many, the Buckie and District Pipes and Drums.

Saturday Festival Club & Night

A very busy and packed day of music at the Saturday Festival Club and Festival Night, as well a fabulous Craft Fair, entertained visitors to Speyfest 2008. The afternoon festival club saw local groups Cruachan, Bratach Bana and Cachd-ach-Cruaidh play to family audiences. The main tent was transformed from a Craft Fair to concert hall for a range of great acts and musical tastes. The ever popular Fochabers Fiddlers started the evening off, led by this year's Speyfest Association Chairman James Alexander. Lori Watson and the Rule of Three offer a fresh approach to the best of Scottish music. Then, all the way from Melborne, Australia, the Ploughboys brought their raucous folk-rock music to Speyfest. Salsa Celtica then provided something completely different with a unique blend of Cubian and Scottish music that had the audience dancing. The evening ended with a bang with The Vatersay Boys from the Western Isles.

Friday Concert & Ceilidh/Stomp

The sell out Friday Concert provided some energetic entertainment with the trio of LAU, blue grass music from Tennessee with the Craig Duncan Band and concluding with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Kris Drever (guitar/vocals), Martin Green (piano accordian) and Aidan O"Rourke (fiddle) formed the group LAU. Criag Duncan (fiddle/vocals) was joined by friends Mark Barnett (banjo), Billy Smith (guitar/vocals), Dale Ballinger (double bass), Kris Ballinger (guitar/vocals) and Peggy Duncan (vocals). The Red Hot Chilli Pipers continued the high octane theme at the Ceilidh/Stomp followed by the Vatersay Boys from Western Isles.

Friday Festival Club

Audiences at the free Friday Festival Club at Speyfest were entertained by Chelsea Hadden and friends, the Spey Dance from the children's dance workshop and the Grieg Duncan Band. Attending Speyfest from New York State, Chelsea Hadden (fiddle) was joined by young local musicians Jamie Wallen (keyboard), John Wallen (drums), Charlie Innes (guitar) and Graeme Duncan (bass guitar). Also from the USA, the Craig Duncan (fiddle/vocals) from Tennessee was accompanied by Mark Barnett (banjo), Billy Smith (guitar/vocals), Dale Ballinger (double bass), Kris Ballinger (guitar) and his wife, Peggy Duncan (vocals).

Thursday Concert

A sell-out audience was treated to 2 great performances starting with the Grampian Police Pipe Band and concluding with great Eddie Reader and friends. With Eddie were Orcadian Kris Drever (guitar/vocals), Boo Hewerdine (guitar), Alan Kelly (accordion), Ray Dodds (drums), Kevin Maguire (double bass) and John Douglas (eukelele).

Wednesday 'In Session'

Orkney based singer/songwriter Frank Keenen, fresh from his wedding in Oregon to his ex-girlfriend, started the last Speyfest "In Session" evening in the Grant Arms Hotel with his brilliant guitar playing. He was followed by The Outside Track with their international line-up from Scotland, England, Ireland and Canada and boasting a finalist from this year's BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. Outside Track are Ailie Robertson (harp), Laureen MacColl (fiddle), Fiona Black (accordion), Norah Rendell (flute/vocals) and Alan Jordan (guitar). Speyfest moves to the Festival Tent tomorrow with the Thursday Concert.

Tuesday 'In Session'

Dundonian Michael Marra is one of Scotland's most prolific songwriters and possibly one of its best kept secrets. Not any more. In front of a sale out audience, Michael accompanied himself on piano (on an ironing board stand) and guitar. He was preceded on stage by local band Cruachan with a line up of 3 fiddles, piano and guitar. Cruachan are Jack Smedley (fiddle), Peter Reid (guitar), Barbara Anderson (fiddle), Ronald Jappy (piano) and Raemond Juppy (fiddle).

Monday 'In Session'

A splendid, entertaining evening with Shetland group Hom Bru and local Moray group Redd-Up in the Grant Arms Hotel, Fochabers. Hom Bru comprises Brain Nicholson (guitar/vocals), John Robert Deyell (fiddle), Garry Petersen (mandolin/Banjo) and Davy Henry (mandolin/vocals). Redd-Up are Colin Campbell (guitar/vocals), Andy Walker (bass guitar), Ian Grigor (mandolin/fiddle) and Alan Grigor (drums).

Sunday at The Grant Arms

Opening informal session night at the Grant Arms, Fochabers on Sunday 27 July with Shetland band Hom Bru joined by local musicians. Hom Bru are Brain Nicholson (guitar/vocals), John Robert Deyell (fiddle), Garry Petersen (mandolin/Banjo) and Davy Henry (mandolin/vocals).

Survivors Ceilidh

With ten hours of music and two stages, choosing images that capture the atmosphere of the final day at the festival has been difficult. The Survivors gallery features images of the local bands that once again this year brought so much to Speyfest - including their fan clubs! From the enthusiasm of Full Spate to the highly polished performance from Curfally, the truly individual celtic rock of AroarA, right through to the ceilidh dance sets from Clachan Yell. Add in another stunning set from Blou, joined on stage by organising committee member Janet Hallyburton, and you have most of the ingredients for a great closing day. But the final word has to go to Cachd-ach-Cruaidh who performed a brilliant set that had an exhausted but delirious audience shouting for more - which they'll get when we do it all again next year!!

Saturday Festival Night

Innovation, a big fiddle group with a big sound, set the tone for the evening with their fantastic musicianship. Calum Stewart gave another outstanding performance and is undoubtedly amongst the most talented young musicians on the traditional scene. Tiller's Folly lifted the temperature a bit, raising the marquee roof with a brilliant rendition of Maggie Mae. Blou had the huge audience jumping and singing along with one of the most energetic performances seen on any Speyfest stage. The Peatbog Faeries gave a sensational performance to finish the evening on a high, if not slightly exhausted, note.

Friday Ceilidh

Friday Concert

The Friday Concert opened to the fiery fiddling of the now legendary Fochabers Fiddlers. The Alistair McCulloch Trio gave a fine performance which had everyone's feet tapping. As if compering at Speyfest wasn't enough, Jim Malcolm showed why he's rightly regarded as one of Scotland's finest singer/songwriters. Blou closed the concert with everyone in the audience on their feet cheering the first of what was to turn out to be several dazzling performances.

Thursday Concert

Speyfest 2007 moved to the marquees for an opening concert featuring some of the best from the world of celtic music. The beautiful playing of Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, Canada's Tiller's Folly, the outstanding Blazin' Fiddles and the voice of Donnie Munro - a great start to the weekend!

Wednesday Session Night

Speyfest 2007 said goodbye to the Grant Arms Hotel with a night of stunning music from Gemma Donald, local lad Calum Stewart and Speyfest veterans, Tiller's Folly. And what was Jim Malcolm doing with that wooden puppet?!

Pre Speyfest 2007

An incredible amount of work goes into setting up the Speyfest Tented Village.

Tuesday Session Night

Day three and Union Hill finished their stint at Speyfest 2007 with another hugely entertaining set. Local hero Colin Campbell was joined by Graeme Stephen and the evening closed to the rock and roll of singer/songwriter Colin McKay.

Monday Session Night

The first of three Session Nights kicked-off to the outstanding fiddling of Shetland's Gemma Donald. Union Hill played another great set - and told some very funny stories. Now we all know why the Scots don't eat their fruit and veg!!

2007 Opening Ceilidh

It was quite a line-up and it was quite a night! A fantastic start to Speyfest 2007. The Opening Ceilidh at Speyfest 2007 featured one of Scotland's finest singer/songwriters, Jim Malcolm and the huge talents that are Duncan Chisholm, Iain MacFarlane and Marc Clement.