Fochabers to host musical feast
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ACCLAIMED Scottish singer Eddi Reader will top the bill in what promises to be the best Speyfest yet later this month.
From Friday, July 26, to Sunday, July 28, some of the best in national and international contemporary and traditional Celtic music acts will descend on Fochabers for a packed weekend for all the family.
The playing fields on East Street will be transformed into a tented village for the 24th festival.
Former Fairground Attraction singer Reader will be joined by a diverse array of talent including Blazin' Fiddles, The Mark Winchester Band, Tour Bus Fortune, Saltfishforty, Gordon James and the Power, and the Milne's High School Fiddlers, to name but a few.
Alongside the music, which also includes traditional workshops, there will be a gin masterclass courtesy of Avva Gin, a whisky masterclass run by The Macallan and a craft fair. Visitors can enjoy the Young Entertainer of the Year contest and, on Sunday, an ecumenical church service. A Family Survivors Ceilidh will also run on the Sunday.
One of those eagerly looking forward to this year's musical extravaganza is Speyfest chairman and founder James Alexander.
He said: "We've got a really strong line-up this year and we're delighted to have Eddi Reader performing at Speyfest.
"It's wonderful to be able to attract such a range of top musical talent to a small place like Fochabers.
"One of the things we've been looking to develop this year is the Speyfest Events section of the programme, including the likes of the Avva Gin masterclass, the craft fair and the bakery workshop for kids, run by Sandra Gordon, from Spey Bay Cakes. There are lots of things to do away from the music.
"Another innovation this year is removing the second stage in favour of creating a session bar. There'll be a stage in there with music going on pretty much most of the time. People can drop by, have a drink and either listen or join in.
"It's designed to be a very flexible and relaxed format and we hope people will enjoy this addition to Speyfest."
Mr Alexander went on to thank Tesco's Bags of Help scheme for their donation to this year's Speyfest, a move he described as a welcome bonus to the organisation, which relies on cash generated through its own efforts plus the generous support of sponsors.
For more information on this year's Speyfest, visit their website at www.speyfest.com or follow them on Facebook.
