A record number of visitors have enjoyed three days of live music, activities, food and drinks as the annual Scottish event Speyfest saw attendances of more than 4,000 for its impressive 27th edition.
Presenting one of its most ambitious artistic programmes to date, the festival welcomed a formidable lineup of contemporary folk and Celtic music talent that blew audiences away between Friday 19 and Sunday 21 July.
As well as its loyal local following, the festival welcomed more visitors from other parts of Scotland and the UK than ever before, with even more than anticipated making the journey to be part of the community-driven Moray music spectacular.
Come rain or shine revellers were met with a warm Speyfest welcome as they soaked up the best in traditional tunes all weekend long.
Greatest joy
Speyfest Chair Ashleigh Macgregor said: “It’s been another hugely successful Speyfest, to see record attendance figures gives us the greatest joy and sense of achievement. A huge thank you to everyone who makes bringing all this music to Fochabers possible – our incredible volunteers, our funders and sponsors, our loyal audiences and all the talented musicians who have graced our stages over the last three days.
“Some folk travelled from the end of the street and others from the other end of the country to be with us – we’re so pleased to be able to bring everyone together, there’s just no better feeling than seeing the playing fields full of people appreciating the music and warm atmosphere.”
From established talent who play global stages to emerging talent based on the festival’s doorstep, the main Christie Stage and second Duncans of Fochabers stage were bursting with lively music that had audiences cheering and clapping all weekend long.
Gordonstoun School Pipe Band officially opened the festival with some fantastic playing before later joining headliners and returning festival favourites Skerryvore on stage for the standing stomp. Skerryvore’s sensational set followed talented Highland accordionist and singer Calum MacPhail’s performance as he got the late-night show underway in style.
Burgeoning local talent
The evening concert welcomed burgeoning local talent in the form of Milne’s High School Fiddlers and The Arc Fiddlers, one of Scotland’s most exciting folk bands Breabach and Irish music legend and accordionist Sharon Shannon. Sharon and Breabach celebrated being back at Speyfest after a number of years by getting up for a song together to round off a foot-stomping Friday concert in front of a very appreciative audience.
Saturday’s concert welcomed Scottish singer Hannah Rarity for her Speyfest debut before iconic Shetland fiddle group Fiddlers’ Bid rounded off the seated portion of the day. Much-loved Moray outfit Tour Bus Fortune got the party started for Saturday night’s concert before inimitable Scottish four-piece Tide Lines played an accomplished set in what was their first Speyfest performance for seven years.
Speyfest’s Sunday, an all-day family affair, had a jam-packed line up from start to finish. With Black Isle multi-instrumentalist and broadcaster Anna Massie both compering and performing, she also welcomed Irish duo A Louth Lilt, a cèilidh session from Ruach, the incredible Eryn Rae Band, fronted by the winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2022, dynamic four-piece Gnoss, and the all-star local line up of talent that are the Auld Fochabers Fiddlers.
Speyfest history
Into the evening, Tour Bus Fortune treated audiences to another lively show ahead of unforgettable performances from Glasgow-based five-piece Ímar and a set that will go down in Speyfest history from Highland powerhouse Trail West.
Across the weekend, the Duncans of Fochabers stage welcomed a host of acts including Milne’s High School Fiddlers, Fèis Spè’s Monadh Ruadh band, up and coming Tir-Mòr, the talented Amber Thornley Trio, Elgin rock artist Danny Mortimer, innovative trad outfit MAK 2, lively ceilidh band BROMA, upbeat trio Johnny Sheep & The Coupit Ewes, Aberdeenshire four-piece Ruach, local Americana fusion group The Forty Elephants and Celtic-pop group Dougal’s Jumper.
Youngsters who had taken part in music and singing workshops across the week also had the chance to perform for festival audiences. Participants from multi-instrumental workshops with A Louth Lilt, advanced fiddle with Kevin Henderson, and Lizzie’s Big Sing with local vocal coach Lizzie Sharp showcased what they had learnt across the week on Saturday afternoon. The initiative is all about inspiring the next generation of musical talent in the area – a founding principle of the festival.
Fantastic festival
Kevin Henderson, who took one of the workshops and performed with Fiddlers’ Bid, said: “I first came to Speyfest in 1997 so it’s great to be back and to see it continue to flourish. It’s a fantastic festival where I’ve made a lot of great friends over the years. The workshops have been really enjoyable to host this week – such a great group of fiddler players of all ages who have been able to have fun and learn lots of new music. Fochabers has always had a rich musical heritage with so many young fiddle players – James Alexander did a lot of great work in the area and it’s important to see that continue with the next generation.
“I was also really excited to play with Fiddlers’ Bid here. We don’t perform a huge amount so that means we can go out and do the gigs we really want to do and we really wanted to come to Speyfest. It’s always such an appreciative audience and really enjoyable to play them, performing is a two-way thing and that buzz was just brilliant.”
The very best of Speyside was on display across the weekend with the annual craft fair showcasing handcrafted local goods, while the team at Reynolds Cocktails teamed up with The Mill House Hotel and local talent Lewis Wiles for a great afternoon of cocktails and canapes.
A range of kids’ events including arts and crafts and face painting with Highland Artisans, and Fox’s Tales interactive story telling sessions from Fox and Friends Highland kept wee ones entertained in the pop-up tented village and the free Celtic Kirk Service welcomed people for a moment of reflection on Sunday morning, with performances from Celtic Worship, Arc Fiddlers and A Louth Lilt.
Speyfest will return in 2025, with more information to follow in the coming weeks. Visit www.speyfest.com.
Here are some pictures from the weekend.
