Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail - Cuairt Cèilidh a' Chanàil Chaileannaich

9th July 2009

Musicians and supporters of the 8th Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail cast off today (10 July, 2009) on the MV Caledonian at Muirtown Basin Marina, Inverness to promote the new band line up for 2009. Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is a traditional music project which runs from Monday 13 July to Friday 7 August.

The Ceilidh Trail is organised by The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Service, partly funded by British Waterways, Scotland and working in partnership with TMC Folk. The trail opens on Monday with a Grand Opening Ceilidh at Historic Scotland's Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre at 8pm, runs through nearly 50 events and ends with the two events for the Blas Festival at Inverness Cathedral, Friday 4 September and at Eden Court on Friday 12 September.

The official ceilidh trail band will be led by accordionist Cameron Kellow, and trainee lead musician, Rachel Campbell on fiddle. Student musicians in the band are Alasdair Taylor playing guitar,mandolin and banjo; Rachael MacDonald on Highland pipes, Gaelic song and whistle; and Ewan MacDonald who plays fiddle and guitar.

The ceilidh trail team will be joined by TMC Folk, and their MD, David Bowen plus Fèis Lochabair Ceilidh Trailers and young musicians from Fèis a Bhaile.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: "The traditional music and dance of Scotland has been exported all over the world throughout history. Now in the year of Homecoming Scotland 2009 the 8th Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail will not only be an excellent showcase of our Highland talent for visitors to the area but it will also be a great experience for those of us staying at home this summer. I am particularly looking forward to the new performances on board the MV Caledonian. This year the team are travelling further south working in some new venues in the Lochaber area down to Banavie and Neptune's Staircase. These are a fitting new string to the bow in the organisation of the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail."

Ailsa Andrews, Customer Relations Manager for British Waterways Scotland said: "Yachts from all over the world use the Caledonian Canal especially in summer and the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail events are an excellent way for them to sample some real Highland music. We are delighted to support the ceilidh trail in its 8th year."

Details of the ceilidh trail events coming to various venues and locations along the Caledonian Canal can be found on the Highland Council's website at: www.highland.gov.uk/caledonian-canal-ceilidh-trail . Copies of the trail programme are available from Highland Council Services Points or by telephoning (01463) 663817.

Admission to most events on the ceilidh trail is free with the exception of the Grand Opening Ceilidh; Scottish country dancing at the Craigmonie Centre; ceilidh dancing at Fort Augustus Public Hall; Tulloch's traditional music tent where we will launch the new Ceilidh Trail CD at Inverness Highland Games; ceilidh at Glengarry community hall; summer dance at Glenmoriston; and the Tartan Heart Festival at Belladrum.

Tickets for the Grand Opening Ceilidh are on sale at The Highland Council's Drumnadrochit Service Point, Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre or from Inverness Tourist Information Centre.