w w w .o rk n e y fo lk fe s tiv a l.c o m

MAROON
www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
22-25 MAY 2014
PROGRAMME
What’s On
Concerts
Ceilidhs
Dances
Clubs
Pub Sessions
Open Stage
Family Concert
Fiddlers Rally
Talks . . .
Where
Birsay
Evie
Harray
Kirkwall
Longhope
Shapinsay
St Andrews
St Margaret’s Hope
Stromness
Who?
See inside . . .
CRIMSON
Supported by the National Lottery
through Creative Scotland
CERISE
Welcome
Open All Hours
Hello everybody. 2014 is the year of Homecoming,
the Independence Referendum, The Ryder Cup, The
Commonwealth Games and above all the 32nd Orkney Folk
Festival. Thirty-two years ago the festival started running and the
baton has been passed on many times. Who will win the banjo
decathlon? Toss the accordion? 10,000 fiddles? Who knows, but
we’ll have some fun finding out. ‘What’s on this year?’ I hear you
shout. Well, this year we have invited around 16 acts from all
over the (non Orkney) world. We’ve put them up against over 30
Orkney acts and positioned them around the county as best as
we can. Have a look through the programme and mark up your
favourites, and I’m sure we will have a winning weekend.
Bob Gibbon, Festival Director
Orkney’s days are long in May, and the nights short – which
suits the festival perfectly. From the Opening Concert on
Thursday evening, to the closing concerts three days later, there
is something taking place at almost all hours catering for the
early risers and night owls alike.
Show Us What You’ve Got
Do you want to have a go at performing at the festival? The
Open Stage, on Saturday 24th, may just be the very thing
for you. Previous winners include Griogair Morrison, Broken
Strings, Jennifer Austin and Louise Bichan, and with a slot at
next year’s festival up for grabs it’s a closely fought competition.
For more information and to enter (before April 26) head to our
website at www.orkneyfolkfestival.com. Good luck!
Or, If You’d Just Prefer To Join In . . .
There are seemingly endless pub sessions throughout the
weekend. We programme bands to get them going, but please
do join them for a tune – it’s what they’re for – and when they
have to head off to a sound-check, keep the tunes going. It’s
not uncommon for a midday session to end at closing time!
On Saturday 24th there will also
be workshops taking place in the
Stromness Community Centre.
Places are limited, so if you fancy
brushing up your skills, from
masters of their trade, head to
www.orkneyfolkfestival.com for
more information.
There is also the opportunity to take to the stage in the Fiddlers’
Rally. Hosted by the West Mainland Strathspey and Reel
Society, the rally brings together musicians from throughout
Orkney and further afield, for massed performances of traditional
tunes. It is open to all who want to participate – not just fiddlers
– and is quite a spectacle to
behold. If you fancy taking
part, download a copy of this
year’s sheet music from our
website, head along to the
Stromness Academy for a
rehearsal on Sunday morning,
and that’s you set!
Bring The Family
Specifically for our peedier festival goers, we have the Family
Concert on Saturday afternoon in the Stromness Academy.
Our Ghanaian and Venezuelan visitors, Family Atlantica will
be joined by Christina Stewart, who has extensive experience
performing to younger
audiences and some of
the country’s leading
young musicians, in the
Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail.
Kirkwall’s afternoon
concert in The Reel has
also been moved to the
more family-friendly time
of 5pm, and Saturday
afternoon, whilst, throughout the weekend, almost all events
offer discounted tickets for under-16s. Plenty opportunities to
bring the entire family along to join in the festival fun!
Late Night Revelry
And for when the bairns are
long since tucked up in bed,
we have a choice of three late
night clubs on offer – each
finely tuned to serve up a
different flavour of the festival
into the wee small hours.
Festival & Lunchtime Clubs
These chilled out concerts feature some of the best music and
song on offer over the weekend, and so at least one is a must
in every festival-goers’ diary. With space for just 100, seated
around tables to rest your glasses, they are often amongst the
first events to sell out.
Song Clubs
A haven for song enthusiasts and tradition bearers, our Song
Clubs are part concert/part singaround – very much reminiscent
of the original Scottish folk clubs. Quiet songs and moving
ballads, rousing choruses, and sing-along choruses are all at
home here – as is sitting back and lapping it up.
Academy Clubs
Formerly known as the Stomp, these clubs are for the party
animals amongst us. A standing gig, with the seats pushed
back and the lighting set to ‘spinny’, it’s the
perfect place to shoogle the night away. And
this year . . . there are two!
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Orkney Folk and International Cousins
Gordon Harvey Night
For a night of exclusively Orcadian music and dancing, make a
beeline for the Birsay hall on Friday. Before the Kirkjuvagr Ceilidh
Band lead you round the floor, festival favourites, Hullion, Kris
Drever’s Peedie Gatherin’ of Orcadian pals, and Mona Wood and
Elizabeth Herdman will showcase Orkney’s musical traditions,
whilst the first half of the concert goes to the Orkney Heritage
Fiddle Project, who will present some tunes, stories and archive
recordings of the late Birsay fiddler, Gordon Harvey.
A self-taught fiddler, Gordon Harvey (1918-1997) wrote the
strathspey, ‘Orcadia’ amongst many other popular tunes. Several
of his descendants will perform in the set - coordinated by the
project’s leader, Gemma McGregor - alongside the Stromness
Academy Fiddle Club, fiddlers Kristan Harvey and Douglas
Montgomery, and guitarist Griogair Morrison.
The Gathering Goes Transatlantic
Since premiering to a standing ovation and universal acclaim in
2011, the all-Orcadian, multi-generational cast of Orkney Folk:
The Gathering has been a similar highlight at each subsequent
festival. In 2012 the original show was reprised to launch the
live CD of that first magical night, and then went on to sell-out
Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket at Celtic Connections 2013. Last May
the band joined forces with an equally-weighted group from
Shetland, for reciprocal ‘Isles Gathering’ concerts at both islands’
festivals, selling out Kirkwall’s Pickaquoy Centre arena.
This year’s ‘Gathering will showcase not only Orkney’s own
rich folk culture, but also the connections that it has with others
from across the Atlantic. With guest appearances from Aoife
O’Donovan, The Beaton Sisters’ Band, and Qristina and Quinn
Bachand, all under the musical direction of Douglas Montgomery,
this promises to be an unforgettable evening.
Eight Countries, Four Continents –
One Weekend!
In total there are some 63 musicians visiting this year’s
festival – not including Orcadian expats – who, between them,
represent Canada, Venezuela, the USA, Ghana, Ireland, Norway,
Sweden and Scotland. If you’re looking for an event with a truly
international flavour, Friday’s Canadian concert could be for you –
featuring all of our Canadian visitors – or the Pickaquoy Concert,
on the same night, showcases acts from Ireland, the USA, Norway
and Sweden. Also on Sunday, before we say farewell, there is also
the Sunday International concert, with a line-up featuring all but
two of the visiting nationalities.
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The Artistes
Aoife O’Donovan (USA)
An acclaimed singer/songwriter, Aoife O’Donovan’s roots stretch
back not only to the New England Conservatory, where she met her
Crooked Still band mates, but also the folk traditions in which she
was raised. Her 2013 debut album, Fossils, showcases her sublime
vocals within all-original material, shading from folk and bluegrass
territory towards edgier indie realms.
Aoife O’Donovan
The Beaton Sisters’ Band (Canada)
From a long line of Cape Breton musicians, Dawn and Margie
Beaton took their first fiddle and stepdancing lessons at
just four and six years old, and are now an award-winning,
internationally renowned duo. In The Beaton Sisters’
Band, they are joined by two more Cape Bretoners – piano
extraordinaire, Jason Roach and Kenneth MacKenzie, on
pipes and fiddle.
Broken Strings (Orkney)
Unbelievably, it’s now four years since Broken Strings won
the festival’s Open Stage. Since then, the group’s fresh,
The Beaton Sisters
energetic approach to traditional music has seen them firmly
established on the Orcadian scene. The multi-instrumentalists effortlessly fuse their musical
roots and early influences – from rich Orcadian traditions - with the drive of modern folk to create
a full-on, yet sympathetic, sound.
Bruce Mainland (Orkney)
Orcadian Bruce has built quite a name for himself locally, and is a regular face at The Reel in
Kirkwall. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist and vocalist alike, his debut CD, The Lang Road
Doon, has proven to be a hit both in Orkney and further afield, with song topics ranging from the
sublime to the bizarre.
Bryony Muir
Bryony Muir (Orkney)
Returning to the 2014 festival – having performed at many,
throughout her childhood and teenage years – 25-year-old Bryony
presents all original songs, inspired by love, life, landscape and
laughter. Through her involvement with Young Farmers Clubs,
Bryony often entertains at agricultural events, delighting with lyrics
that bring a smile and lump to the throat in equal measure.
The Chair (Orkney)
Celebrating their tenth birthday, having formed at this very festival
in 2004, The Chair will have even the most reserved audience beating a path to the dance floor.
Orcadian melodies are mashed up with blues, dub and klezmer in an eight-piece riot of fiddles,
banjos, accordions and drums, approaching the energy levels of a rock gig, yet remaining
acoustic at heart.
Charlotte Wallhead (Orkney)
Charlotte is a talented young singer who will be making her debut at the folk festival at the Reel
on Saturday singing songs from Orkney and beyond.
Christina Stewart (Scotland)
Christina Stewart is a singer of great sensitivity who communicates
the depth and beauty of Scotland’s song traditions, whether in
Scottish Gaelic, Scots dialect or English. Her evocative style
is suffused with an authenticity which comes from her roots in
Inverness, where the Gaelic and Scots traditions of Scotland meet.
She is accompanied in Orkney by guitarist Martin MacDonald and
long-time singing partner, Christine McClenaghan.
Dervish (Ireland)
One of the greatest traditional bands to have ever come out of Ireland,
Dervish are celebrating 25 years together in 2014. With an instrumental
Christina Stewart
line-up of fiddle, flute, bouzouki, mandola, bodhran and accordion, the
band, fronted by singer Cathy Jordan, showcase exceptional musicianship, breathtaking vocals and
vivacious energy, drawing from seemingly endless depths of talent and finesse.
The Driftwood Cowboys (Orkney)
Three musical veterans and one boy wonder, three parts Orkney and one part Nashville...
However you mix it up, The Driftwood Cowboys sound like no other band in the isles today. Their
songs and tunes portray a landscape of Shopping Week Queens, blackenings and barbed wire
Beer…local stories sung to the universal tune of the blues, old time country, and folk.
Erika Shearer and Steven Flett (Orkney)
A well-known local fiddle player, Erika grew up surrounded by music. Her parents, Billy and Ingi
Jolly, regularly welcomed the likes of Hugh Inkster, Davy Eunson, Tommy Mainland and Colin
Pirie round for tunes, and it is these musicians, and the Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society, that
inspired her. She regularly plays with the Ronald Anderson Dance Band, and is joined on piano
by Steven Flett.
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Family Atlantica (Venezuela/Ghana)
Family Atlantica summon a tropical hurricane of Venezuelan
calypso and Ghanaian highlife, finding common ancestry and
reshaping it into an irresistible tsunami of psychedelicised tropical
grooves, guaranteed to make you sing and dance. This multiinstrumental quartet’s musical voyage zigzags back and forth across
the Atlantic, creating a unique sound that has garnered five star
reviews and seen them play London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Fara (Orkney)
This year’s festival sees the debut of a new Orkney fiddle band
- Fara. Bringing together five young musicians at the forefront
of today’s Scottish folk scene, Jennifer Austin, Louise Bichan,
Kristan Harvey, Jeana Leslie and Catriona Price’s four fiddles and
piano produce a fiery sound, with vibrant arrangements full of rich
harmonies, rooted strongly in their upbringing amongst the music
Family Atlantica
of Orkney.
Fiona Driver and Graham Simpson (Orkney)
Fiona and Graham are a long-established fiddle and guitar duo from Orkney. Popular throughout the
isles, and on their Scottish tours, they are known for playing many varied selections of tunes from
around the world, alongside Fiona’s award-winning compositions. Graham’s innate sense of rhythm
shines through in his lively accompaniment, which finely complement’s Fiona’s dextrous fiddling.
Feis Rois Ceilidh Trail (Scotland)
Having spent last summer touring nationally for six weeks, this group of five exceptionally
talented young musicians from across Scotland have reunited to perform at the Orkney Folk
Festival. Orkney’s own Eric Linklater appears alongside Mischa Macpherson, Conal McDonagh,
Jack McRobbie and Kim Carnie, promising an entertaining performance of both traditional and
contemporary folk music, with beautifully crafted songs and driving tune sets.
Frank Keenan (Orkney)
An Orkney-based singer/songwriter and guitarist, Frank Keenan has been writing and recording
songs for a good number of years. With two albums to his name, his original material is influenced
heavily by island life, which he and his band present in an atmospheric, contemporary sound.
Griogair Morrison (Orkney)
Griogair Morrison
In less than a year, teenager Griogair was named
Orkney Folk Festival 2013 Open Stage champion,
won a coveted Danny Kyle Award at Celtic
Connections 2014 , and released his debut EP. A
fingerstyle guitarist – combining melody, rhythm
and bass – Griogair taught himself to play through
YouTube, and has recently turned his hand to
writing, reflecting upon his Orcadian surroundings.
Hadhirgaan (Orkney)
A rolling army of young musicians who attend
Kirkwall Grammar School, led by instrumental
instructor Douglas Montgomery, Hadhirgaan never
cease to amaze with their unique, gutsy sound. The first incarnation of Hadhirgaan appeared at
the festival some 14 years ago now, and since then the group has gone on to release three CDs
and a DVD, and has toured Canada twice.
Hullion (Orkney)
Firmly established as an Orcadian institution, Hullion are a real crowd-pleaser; fine songs and
splendid tunes interspersed with winning banter. These seasoned multi-instrumentalists combine
an array of instruments to great effect – Andy Cant (fiddle, mandolin, bagpipes), Billy Jolly
(harmonica, vocals), Ingi Jolly (guitar, vocals), Micky Austin (tenor banjo, mandolin) and Owen
Tierney (guitar, mandolin, bass, vocals).
Jenny Keldie & Brian Cromarty (Shetland/Orkney)
Jenny and Brian are Orkney Folk Festival regulars with acts such as Saltfishforty, Laeverick,
The Poptarts and The Chair. Here they present their popular duo, singing songs from Orkney,
Shetland, and other places - also in the world.
Jo Philby Band (Orkney)
Originally from the south of England, Jo Philby has been a welcome addition to the Orkney folk
scene for over a decade now. She has two CDs under her belt – Saltwater and Stone and Beneath
the Starry Sky - and regularly tours Scotland and England with her band, featuring Elaine Grieve,
Aidan Moodie and Graham Rorie.
Kirkjuvagr Ceilidh Band (Orkney)
Popular within the traditional dance scene in Orkney, this five piece band brings a special lilt to
their repertoire of traditional Scottish, Irish, Cajun and self-penned tunes. Adopting the Norse
word for Kirkwall as their name, The Kirkjuvagr Ceilidh Band are also known throughout Orkney
as the Wood family.
Kirkwall City Pipe Band (Orkney)
Lead by Pipe Major Laurence Tait, the KCPB is a thriving and sociable band of pipers and
drummers, with members in their teens to their 70s. The band has an impressive collection of
silverware, and a strong, dedicated following throughout the isles. A true community band, they
can regularly be seen performing at local events and ceremonies.
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Kris’s Peedie Gatherin’ (Orkney)
One of Orkney’s best known musical sons, Kris Drever returns to the 2014
festival heading up a new six-piece group – his Peedie Gatherin’. Featuring
Douglas Montgomery, Billy Peace, Kristan Harvey, Sarah Jane Gibbon and Erik
Laughton, the all-Orcadian band will present a collection of tunes and songs
from the islands, in brand new arrangements across guitar, fiddle, accordion,
voice and percussion.
Kris Drever
Kyan (Orkney)
Kyan are an up-and-coming young trio from Kirkwall, who blend guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle
and accordion, in upbeat, contemporary arrangements. Having first appeared at the 2012 festival,
in the Open Stage, Philip Matthews, Fionn Webb and Ewan Miller come together under the
mission of getting hands clapping and feet stomping.
Liam and Co. (Orkney)
A farmer by day, and dance band leader by night, Liam Muir is a well known face throughout
Orkney, and his band is in high demand throughout the county. Accordionist Liam is joined by
Sid Nicolson (fiddle), Linda Nicolson (keyboards and song), Arthur Sinclair (bass guitar) and
Magnus Ritch (drums).
Louise Bichan and Calum Morrison (Orkney/Glasgow)
Local fiddler, Louise Bichan graduated with a degree from the Glasgow School of Art in 2011,
and has since been working as a photographer and musician. She appeared at last year’s festival
with Gria, and is returning with her own material, inspired by recent travels to North America. She
is accompanied on guitar by Calum Morrison, a student of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Madison Violet (Canada)
Madison Violet
Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac produce a
lush, inviting sound; intimate, yet country-infused
and toe-tapping, and one which, through an average
eight months on the road in the USA and Europe
each year, has seen them firmly labelled as amongst
Canada’s finest singer/songwriters. Their heartfelt
(and often heartbreaking) lyrics lie in brilliant
contrast to uplifting arrangements, with Americanainspired up-tempo melodies sitting comfortably
alongside breathtakingly sweeping harmonies.
Maggie and James Nicolson (Orkney)
Teenage sister and brother duo, Maggie and James Nicolson create a spellbinding vocal harmony
duo, with guitar and piano accompaniment. They released their
debut EP, Sib, in 2012, have supported Eddi Reader twice, and
delighted audiences at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, as well
as at many, many local events.
Mairearad and Anna (Scotland)
No strangers to the festival, but making their first visit in their
five-star duo line-up, Mairearad Green and Anna Massie are
two of Scotland’s most revered and in-demand multiinstrumentalists. Their energetic combinations of accordion,
bagpipes, guitar, banjo and fiddle, with seemingly effortless wit
and instant warmth, make them a truly captivating duo, and a
Mairearad & Anna
must-see live act.
Mànran (Scotland)
Back in 2010, six friends brought a powerful combination of Gaelic and English songs together
with accordion, fiddle, flute, guitar and
a mix of drum and bass to create an
infectious and recognisable sound.
Mànran was born, and since then the
band – featuring Norrie MacIver, Gary
Innes, Ewan Henderson, Ryan Murphy,
Ross Saunders and Scott Mackay - has
become something of a phenomenon,
bringing their unique sound to
Mànran
audiences worldwide.
Matthew Maclennan Dance Band (Scotland)
One of the Scottish country dance band scene’s most familiar faces, Matthew Maclennan is
returning to Orkney with his own band in tow. Last seen at the festival in 2012, alongside Nicky
McMichan, this time round he will front his four-piece band, featuring Dennis Morrison (piano),
Neil Macgregor (drums) and Iain Anderson (fiddle).
Mick West Trio (Scotland)
Mick West is a powerhouse of traditional song, with a catalogue
of highly acclaimed recordings to his name. Mick has one of
Scotland’s most distinctive voices, and, in his trio, his rich,
warm and expressive singing is complimented on guitar and
fiddle by the highly creative playing of Frank McLaughlin and
Stewart Hardy. The trio has a long standing musical kinship
which shines through their arrangements.
Mick West
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The Mischa Madpherson Trio
The Mischa Macpherson Trio
(Scotland)
BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winners, The Mischa
Macpherson Trio are a new Scottish outfit. A singer
and clarsach player from Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides,
Mischa is joined by guitarist Innes White, and Conal
McDonagh on pipes and whistles. All three musicians
are graduates of the National Centre of Excellence
in Traditional Music, in Plockton, however first met
through the award-winning Fèis Rois programme.
Mona Wood and Elizabeth Herdman (Orkney)
Sandwick neighbours, Mona Wood and Elizabeth Herdman have been singing and playing
together since the late 1980s. Accordionist Mona is accompanied by Elizabeth, on piano - who
also performed at our very first festival, in 1983 – playing a selection of Scottish, Irish and
Orcadian tunes.
No Soond (Orkney)
An exciting young band whose first ever appearance was at the Orkney Folk Festival Open Stage
in 2011, No Soond’s members bring many influences to the table, from straight up traditional
tunes to rock, dance and jazz. As their debut CD, Stranded, showcases, feet-tapping and/or
involuntary jumping around is guaranteed.
Orkney Accordion and Fiddle Club (Orkney)
The Orkney Accordion and Fiddle Club has been playing together regularly since the late 1970s,
and is a mainstay of Orkney’s traditional scene. The group welcomes players to meet in a friendly
atmosphere, and throughout the summer they host monthly guest nights, which are often the
hottest ticket in town.
Orkney Folk: The Gathering (Orkney)
Just three years after premiering to a standing ovation at the 2011 festival, the all-Orcadian
line-up of The Gathering returns to the festival once again, showcasing several generations of
these islands’ richly distinctive folk culture. The heralded venture brings together an expansive
cast ranging from teenage rising stars to veteran musicians, all brought together in superb style
by musical director and fiddler Douglas Montgomery.
Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society (Orkney)
The Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society is highly regarded as one of the county’s most respected
and established musical groups. Having performed across the county throughout the last 66
years, they have also released a number of recordings – most recently, Itchy Fingers, in 2012.
Orkney Traditional Music Project (Orkney)
Community Project of the Year at the 2010 Scots Trad Music Awards, the OTMP has grown from
small beginnings in 1998 to now include nearly 200 students, who attend weekly accordion
and fiddle classes. Demonstrating that Orkney’s traditional music
Paddy Callaghan
is in very good hands, the project has helped to nurture many fine
fiddlers and accomplished accordionists – many of whom now
appear elsewhere in this programme.
Paddy Callaghan Trio (Scotland)
Glasgow button accordionist, Paddy Callaghan was the BBC Radio
Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2013. Like many
from the west of Scotland, Paddy’s family roots lie in Ireland, and,
having served his time as a member of the St Roch’s Ceili Band in
his youth, so too do his musical influences. He is joined by Adam
Brown on guitar, bodhran and vocals, and flautist and whistle player
Danny Boyle.
Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Pentlands Ceilidh Band (Scotland)
Regulars on BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor, the Pentlands Ceilidh band are making their
debut appearance in Orkney this year. Accordionists Colin Brown and Derek Rae, are joined
by drummer Garry Kellow, in a globe-trotting band that has travelled as far afield as Cyprus,
Germany, Syria and Kuwait
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Qristina & Quinn Bachand
Qristina and Quinn Bachand
(Canada)
With deep Asturian and Breton roots, Canadian
brother and sister duo, Qristina and Quinn
Bachand, have received innumerable award
nominations and titles. This powerhouse fiddle,
guitar and song duo have performed at major folk
and Celtic festivals across Canada, the U.S. and
Europe, enchanting audiences with a musical
bond that only siblings can share.
Saltfishforty (Orkney)
For well over a decade now, Douglas Montgomery (fiddle/viola) and Brian Cromarty (guitar/
mandola/vocals) have combined the traditional music of Orkney with original compositions, to
winning effect – as showcased on their new Live CD which will be given a special Orkney launch at
the Cromarty Hall on Thursday night. This record is the fourth from this dynamic live act, who are not
only in hot demand throughout the isles, but also on the national and international festival scenes.
Scott Gardiner (Scotland)
Scott is one of Scotland’s top traditional singers, and has been performing at concerts and
festivals across the country since his schooldays. Brought up on a farm near Forfar, he is best
known for singing the bothy ballads and songs of the north-east, having a particular love for his
local Angus folk songs.
Shooglenifty
Shooglenifty (Scotland)
True pioneers and mould-breakers, famous
the world over for inventing Techno
Ceilidh, Acid Croft and Hypnofolkadelia,
Shooglenifty’s original and exciting sound
is a wild up-tempo mix of folk talent and
dance grooves. Their multi-instrumental
blend of electric and acoustic guitars,
banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki, bass
guitar, drums and darabuka is one of Scotland most unique and renowned musical exports.
Stromness RBL Pipe Band (Orkney)
The Stromness Royal British Legion Pipe Band prides itself in being a community band with
membership open to all. As such, the thriving band is made up from folk in all walks of life school bairns to pensioners – who now compete at grade 3 in the RSPBA competitions.
Stronsay’s Silver Darlings (Orkney)
A thriving and vibrant community group , currently with 33 enthusiastic and dedicated musicians,
Stronsay’s Silver Darlings have followers far and wide and are a regular crowd-pleasing act at the
festival. Their multi-instrumental sets and evident joy at performing together combine to form a
winning act, as showcased on their three CDs.
SVER (Norway/Sweden)
Self-proclaimed party musicians,
Scandinavian quartet SVER bring together
traditions from Norway and Sweden to
brilliantly playful effect. Originally a
Norwegian trio of Olav L. Mjelva, Leif Ingvar
Ranøien and Vidar Berge, the group soon
expanded to include two Swedes – Anders
Hall and Jens Linell – bringing together
fiddle, hardanger fiddle, two row accordion,
guitar and percussion, to forge a unique
SVER
path amongst their neighbouring cultures.
Teebro (Orkney)
Another exciting new group mixing the young and not so young talents of Gavin Firth (Guitar),
James Watson (fiddle), Graham Rorie (Mandolin) and Dan Rhodes (double bass) these well
known local musicians and festival regulars combine self-penned titles with Scandinavian,
Balkan, Scottish and Irish tunes and influences.
Three of Bu (Orkney)
Siblings James, Jake and Bea Watson, from Rendall, combine fiddles, guitars and flute with
electronics, bending their collective sound beyond the ‘traditional’ spectrum. Traditional titles
meet self-penned tunes and songs that belie their age, in genre-fusing performances that leave
you wanting more.
West Mainland Strathspey & Reel Society (Orkney)
Having recently celebrated their diamond jubilee, the West Mainland Strathspey and Reel Society
are your hosts for the annual Orkney Folk Festival Fiddlers’ Rally. From small beginnings, the
society now welcomes more than 50 fiddlers and accordionists, aged 8 to 80+, to their weekly
rehearsals and community-wide performances.
The Wrigley Sisters (Orkney)
Jennifer and Hazel Wrigley are an internationally acclaimed Orcadian fiddle and guitar duo.
Having toured the world several times over, they have been resettled back in Orkney for a decade
now, running The Reel, their hugely successful music centre and venue, in Kirkwall. Together
they combine boundless musical dexterity and vitality with Orcadian wit and good fun.
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£16 c.£7
Aoife O’Donovan
Family Atlantica
Paddy Callaghan Trio
Three of Bu
Stromness RBL Pipe Band
Sponsor - The Stromness Hotel
Free
7.30pm Evie Concert
2 Evie Link Centre, Evie
£13 c.£7
Mànran
SVER
Christina Stewart
Louise Bichan and Calum Morrison
Sponsor - A.J.B. Scholes
7.30pm St Margaret’s Hope Concert
3 The Cromarty Hall, St Margaret’s Hope
£20
Dervish
Madison Violet
The Wrigley Sisters
Sponsor - Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd.
10.30pm Song Club
5 Royal Hotel, Stromness
£13 c.£7
Saltfishforty (Album Launch)
Mairearad and Anna
Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail
Hadhirgaan
Sponsor – Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers
10.30pm Festival Club
4 Stromness Hotel, Stromness
£20
£7
Mick West Trio
Qristina and Quinn Bachand
Hosted by Scott Gardiner
Sponsor - Burnside B&B
H IGI NHG LC OAMNP ADN Y
The Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall
ABV 3.8%
10
Madison Violet
The Beaton Sisters’ Band
Qristina and Quinn Bachand
Teebro
Sponsor - EMEC
Pickaquoy Concert 7.30pm
8
Dervish
Aoife O’Donovan
SVER
Stronsay’s Silver Darlings
Bryony Muir
Sponsor - Xodus Group Ltd.
Gordon Harvey Orkney Night 7.30pm
Birsay Community Hall, Birsay
9
£11 c.£5
Longhope Ceilidh 7.30pm
YM Hall, Longhope, Hoy
10
£7
£12
y, KW17 2NP
by Evie, Orkne
nay Brewe ry,
y at the Swan
Made in Orkne
Canadian Concert 7.30pm
7
£15 c.£7
BREW
Royal Hotel, Stromness
Hosted by Doris Rougvie
£15 c.£7
Mischa Macpherson Trio
The House of Song 2.00pm
Stromness Town Hall, Stromness
£20
Mona Wood and Elizabeth Herdman
SVER
Mairearad and Anna
Jo Philby Band
Sponsor - Highland Brewing Company Ltd.
£15 c.£7
Aoife O’Donovan
Lunchtime Club 12noon
6
Stromness Hotel, Stromness
Kris’s Peedie Gatherin’
Orkney Heritage Fiddle Project
Hullion
Mona Wood and Elizabeth Herdman
Dance – Kirkjuvagr Ceilidh Band
Sponsor - Lows
Friday 23rd May
Friday 23rd
May
Thursday 22nd May
Thursday 22nd
May
7.30pm Opening Concert
1 Stromness Town Hall, Stromness
Family Atlantica
Mairearad and Anna
Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail
Dance – Matthew Maclennan Dance Band
Sponsor - Orkney Fisherman’s Society
Festival Club 10.30pm
11
Stromness Hotel, Stromness
Shooglenifty
Mick West Trio
Fara
Sponsor - Scribbilb Consultancy Ltd.
Song Club 10.30pm
12
Royal Hotel, Stromness
Christina Stewart
Bruce Mainland
Hosted by Scott Gardiner
Sponsor - Royal British Legion, Stromness
Academy Club 10.30pm
13
Stromness Academy, Stromness
Mànran
No Soond
Sponsor - Scottish Sea Farms
11
£7
Pier Arts Centre, Stromness
Louise Bichan
In 1950, 25-year-old Margaret Sarah Tait, from Quoyburray, spent six
months travelling across Canada visiting her cousins, whilst
also taking time out to consider her future in Orkney, and
which Orcadian she should marry on her return. Last year,
Louise Bichan retraced her grandmother’s footsteps, at the
same age, setting out to fill the gaps of Margaret’s story through photography and music; passions shared by both.
Sponsor - Highland Park
11.00am Open Stage
Stromness Town Hall, Stromness
Guest: Griogair Morrison (2013 winner)
12noon Lunchtime Club
15 Stromness Hotel, Stromness
£20
Shooglenifty
Paddy Callaghan Trio
Broken Strings
Sponsor - J.W. Gray & Co.
1.00pm Music in St Magnus
St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall
Orkney Traditional Music Project
Stromness Community Centre, Stromness
Orkney Song – The Big Orkney Song Project
Guitar Accompaniment – Anna Massie
Ukulele – Fran Gray
2.00pm Family Concert
16 Stromness Academy, Stromness
Family Atlantica
Christina Stewart
Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail
Sponsor - Grooves
Royal Hotel, Stromness
Hosted by Doris Rougvie
3.00pm Workshops
Stromness Community Centre, Stromness
Cape Breton Step Dance – Margie Beaton
Cape Breton Fiddle – Dawn Beaton
Acccordion – Mairearad Green
3.00pm Pipe Band Parade
Stromness Pier Head (weather permitting)
Stromness RBL Pipe Band
Matthew Maclennan
£15 c.£7
Dervish
The Transatlantic Gathering 7.30pm
Stromness Town Hall, Stromness
18
Orkney Folk: The Gathering
Aoife O’Donovan
The Beaton Sisters’ Band
Qristina and Quinn Bachand
Sponsor - The Long Partnership
£15 c.£7
Harray Community Centre, Harray
Dervish
Family Atlantica
Christina Stewart
Fiona Driver and Graham Simpson
Griogair Morrison
Dance – Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Sponsor - Barclay & Mathieson Ltd.
Harray Ceilidh 7.30pm
19
£5 c.£3
Madison Violet
Mairearad and Anna
Mick West Trio
Erika Shearer and Steven Flett
Frank Keenan
Dance – Liam & Co.
Sponsor - K4 Graphics
7.30pm
20
Shapinsay Ceilidh 7.30pm
21
Shapinsay Community School, Shapinsay
Mànran
Paddy Callaghan Trio
Kyan
Shapinsay School
Dance – Matthew Maclennan Dance Band
Sponsor - Orkney PC
ORKNEY
PC
£20
£7
£12
12
SVER
The Mischa Macpherson Trio
Charlotte Wallhead
Sponsor - The Reel
£11 c.£5
2.00pm The House of Song
Teatime Concert 5.00pm
17
The Reel, Broad Street, Kirkwall
£15 c.£7
St Andrews Ceilidh
St Andrews Community Centre, Tankerness
1.00pm Workshops
£10 c.£5
Saturday 24th May
Saturday 24th
May
Saturday 24th May
Saturday 24th
May
11.00am Talk –
14 Margaret Sarah Tait
Festival Club 10.30pm
22
Stromness Hotel, Stromness
Aoife O’Donovan
The Beaton Sisters’ Band
The Driftwood Cowboys
Sponsor - Heriot-Watt University - Orkney Campus
Song Club 10.30pm
23
Royal Hotel, Stromness
The Mischa Macpherson Trio
Maggie and James Nicolson
Hosted by Scott Gardiner
Sponsor - Sutherland’s Pharmacy
Academy Club 10.30pm
24
Stromness Academy, Stromness
The Chair (10th Birthday Party)
Shooglenifty
Sponsor - Aquatera Ltd.
13
Sunday 25th May
Sunday 25th
May
Patronage & Financial Support
11.15am Morning Service
Stromness Church of Scotland, Stromness
The Sunday Service is a favourite with many festival-goers. All are
welcome to sing hymns put to traditional, well-known tunes, whilst
various acts also feature.
2.00pm Sunday Supplement
25 Stromness Town Hall, Stromness
£15 c.£7
Mànran
Madison Violet
Kris’s Peedie Gatherin’
Fara
Sponsor – MV Radiant Queen and Diver’s Lodge
MV Radiant Queen
2.00pm Sunday International
26 Orkney Theatre, Kirkwall
The Beaton Sisters’ Band
Aoife O’Donovan
Family Atlantica
SVER
Kirkwall City Pipe Band
Sponsor – Morrison Construction
2.00pm Fiddlers’ Rally
27 Stromness Academy Lecture Theatre
£15 c.£7
£7 c.£4
West Mainland Strathspey and Reel Society
Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society
Orkney Accordion and Fiddle Club
Guests: Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail
Sponsor - Northvet
£7
Mick West Trio
Christina Stewart
Jenny Keldie and Brian Cromarty
Hosted by Scott Gardiner
Sponsor - The Stromness Hotel
4.00pm Home vs Rest of the World Football Match
Stromness Market Green
Local and visiting artists put down their instruments and try to run.
Fancy dress optional.
6.30pm Farewell Concert One
29 Stromness Town Hall, Stromness
14
£16 c.£8
Aoife O’Donovan
Shooglenifty
Madison Violet
Paddy Callaghan
SVER
Christina Stewart
Fara
Open Stage Winner
Sponsor - The Ferry Inn (Orkney) Ltd
7.00pm Farewell Concert Two
30 Stromness Academy Lecture Theatre
Mànran
The Beaton Sisters’ Band
Mairearad and Anna
Kris’s Peedie Gatherin’
Qristina and Quinn Bachand
Mick West
The Mischa Macpherson Trio
Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail
Sponsor - Royal Hotel
Public Bodies For more than two decades now, the festival’s
main sources of funding have been from public sector
bodies, namely Orkney Islands Council, Creative Scotland
and previously the Scottish Arts Council, and the Educational
institute of Scotland. This ongoing support is crucial to the
continued success of the festival.
Corporate and Event Sponsorship When it comes to
supporting the festival, Orkney’s local business community is
second to none. In addition to corporate sponsorship of the
whole weekend, which starts at just £50, many businesses also
kindly opt to support individual events.
Volunteers There are also those who give the festival a gift as
equally precious as any financial returns, and that is the evergrowing band of volunteers (too many to name, unfortunately)
who give their time, commitment, talents and enthusiasm in
order to keep this vital event going.
You make this festival unique, and the envy
of its competitors – thank you all.
Patronage
2.00pm Sunday Song Club
28 Stromness Hotel, Stromness
Now in its 32nd year, the Orkney Folk Festival is an entirely
voluntary-run event, and a registered charity. Like many others
throughout the country, the festival relies upon the support
from public bodies, organisations, companies and individuals,
to keep up with ever increasing financial demands in bringing
you the best festival possible.
For many years now, the generosity of individual patrons has
provided invaluable assistance in funding the festival. For a
payment of just £20, patrons receive advanced access to ticket
booking, discounted travel to Orkney with Northlink Ferries,
10% discount on festival merchandise, as well as a copy of the
programme mailed out before its general release. Membership
of the festival’s Patron Plus Scheme combines the benefits
of individual patronage with the added bonus of a monthly
prize draw, in return for year-round support. Half of the funds
collected, monthly, go directly to supporting the festival, whilst
the other half fills the prize draw pot. The minimum donation is
just £5, and the monthly prize fund is now well beyond £140 –
just for supporting the festival!
For information visit: www.orkneyfolkfestival.com/patronage
Got the t-shirt?
For the very best in festival branded goods, head along to the
Festival Shop, situated within the Pier Arts Centre. Open across
the festival weekend – from 10.30am-4pm Thursday-Saturday,
and noon to 4pm on Sunday – the shop stocks limited edition
merchandise, including t-shirts, fleeces, hoodies, pens, badges
and more. It’s also where you’ll find CDs, DVDs, tune books etc
from visiting and local artistes.
BBC Radio 2
We are delighted to be welcoming Mark Radcliffe and the crew
from the UK’s flagship folk programme – BBC Radio 2’s Folk
Show – to Orkney for the first time. The team will be out and
about sampling the delights of the weekend, putting together an
Orkney Folk Festival special edition of the programme.
£16 c.£8
The festival gratefully
acknowledges the support
received from this year’s
sponsors:
Argos Bakery
Aries Consulting
Aquatera Ltd
ASD Metal Services
Barclay + Mathieson Ltd
Bayleaf Delicatessan
Browns Hostel
Burnside B&B
Stromness Taxis
Cafe Bar Stromness
Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers Ltd
Co-operative Food
CS
The Diving Cellar
E Flett Butcher
EMEC Limited
Ferry Inn (Orkney) Limited
Grooves
Hamnavoe Resturant
Highland Park
ICIT Heriot-Watt University
James Wilson (Orkney) Ltd
John Kemp
Julia’s Cafe & Bistro
J W Gray & Co
K4 Graphics
The Long Partnership
Lows
Lyndsey’s Boutique
Morrison Construction
MV Radiant Queen & Divers Lodge
Northlink Ferries
Northvet
Orcadian Wildlife
Orkney Archaeology Tours
Orkney Factors Ltd
Orkney Media Group Ltd
Orkney Cheese
Orkney Fishermens Society
Orkney Media Group Ltd
Orkney PC
Pier Arts Centre
Quernstone
The Reel
Royal British Legion Club Stromness
Royal Hotel
S & JD Robertson Group Limited
Scotrenewables Tidal Power Limited
Scottish Sea Farms
Scribbilib Consultancy Ltd
Soft Pink Flowers
Stockan’s Oatcakes Ltd
Stromness Hotel
Swannay Brewery
Visit Orkney
Wisharts
WHB Sutherland Ltd
Xodus Group Limited
Join the Conversation
Although the festival is only here for four days, we’re on social media throughout the year. Head
on over and share your stories, photos, videos, musings, and stay connected. It’s
your festival – let us know what you’ve been up to. Keep in touch!
H IG H LA ND
Facebook – Orkney Folk Festival • Twitter - @Orkney Folk Fest
B
Cheers!
Our friends at the Highland Brewing Company, at the Swannay Brewery, have
created a limited edition festival beer! How cool is that? With just a small run
of casks available, it can’t be bought in the shops or taken home - so best
make sure you try a pint whilst you’re here. Orkney Session will be available
throughout the weekend – but only while stocks last.
REWING
COMPAN
Y
Made in Orkney
ABV 3.8%
at the Swann
ay Brewer y,
by Evie, Orkney
, KW17 2NP
A Birsay
Getting around
B Evie
C Shapinsay**
D Harray
E Kirkwall
F Stromness
G St Andrews
H St Margaret’s Hope
B
Hi lls id e Ro
ad
C
D
E
F
G
Ca
ton
Ro
ad
J
Road
H
irs
Garson Road
A
I Longhope*
* Requires overnight stay
** Return ferry to Mainland after
the Ceilidh, ferry tickets must be
booked separately - see info below.
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F e r ry
Roa
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S
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C re s
P
Fr
n Rd
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L Pier Arts Centre
M Royal Hotel
N Community Centre
O Stromness Town Hall
L
P Stromness Church of Scotland
a
M
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Lane
Manse
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*Longhope is on the island of Hoy, to the south of Orkney’s mainland. Orkney Ferries sail throughout the
day to the island’s main port of Lyness, and daily to Longhope. This ceilidh requires an overnight stay.
**Shapinsay is one of Orkney’s inner north isles, and just a 25-minute sailing from Kirkwall with
Orkney Ferries. There are several daily services to Shapinsay throughout the weekend, as well as a
return ferry after the ceilidh, at 1.30am. Ticket-holders must arrange their own transport with
F v
el
OrkneyaraFerries,
on 01856 872044
k Ro
Box Office
ad
Gu ar dh ou
Sou th End
C it a
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resc
ent
Tickets on sale from Saturday 3 May.
w: www.orkneyfolkfestival.com t: 01856 851635
In person
- Pier Arts Centre, Victoria St., Stromness
oy
ansqu
H o y m from Saturday 3 May until the festival weekend, from 10.30am-4pm.
Open
Closed Sundays and Mondays, except Sunday 25 May, when open 12noon-4pm.
se Pa rk
sR
Nes
Please note that reduced-rate tickets are only available to children under the age of 16.
oad
Contact Us Orkney Folk Festival, Victoria St., Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AA.
t: 07543 013 006 (Not Box Office)
2015
e: [email protected]
Our 33rd festival will take place between May 21 and 24, 2015. Individual patronage will
be available from January next year, however the Patron Plus scheme is always open. For information
on how to join, head to www.orkneyfolkfestival.com/patronage
Design: K4 Graphics - [email protected]
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J Stromness Academy
K Stromness Hotel
The Orkney Folk Festival is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Registered OSCR No. SCO27280
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