HIE announces three-year funding boost to Fèisean nan Gàidheal

29th March 2012

Fèisean nan Gàidheal will continue to play a key role in the continuing development of traditional music and Gaelic arts as Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) announces funding of £480,000 for the next three years.

In partnership with Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and local authorities, HIE's investment will help the fèisean movement improve and build upon the success it has generated over the last 30 years.

The three year funding package forms part of HIE's support for arts and cultural activity strengthening the Highlands and Islands.

Projects will include expanding Cèilidh Trails and the Blas Festival, allowing young and aspiring musicians the opportunity to tour and perform at local venues across the Highlands and Islands. A range of new activities will be developed including showcasing Gaelic culture to a wider audience through participating in international festivals.

Around 13,000 young people participate in activities supported by Fèisean nan Gàidheal across Scotland. A range of local people who have been regular fèis participants have progressed into further education and training as well as professional careers, including the acclaimed Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis as well as musicians Mairearad Green and Anna Massie who are two fast-rising talents in the folk scene.

Neil Ross, head of community growth at HIE, said: "Fèisean nan Gàidheal's economic benefits are enjoyed in some our most fragile communities and participating in the fèisean brings new skills and confidence to young people. It has made an immense contribution to the lives of many young people and has strengthened both traditional music and the Gaelic language throughout Scotland.

"As well as supporting and promoting talent and creativity its work attracts newcomers and returners to the Highlands and Islands. We are delighted to announce a new three year funding package to Fèisean nan Gàidheal as part of our support for cultural activity strengthening the Highlands and Islands."

Calum Alex MacMillan, development manager at Fèisean nan Gàidheal, said: "We are very grateful that HIE is continuing to invest in our work. This assistance will help us fund new initiatives as well as ensure the continuity of support that is vital to local fèisean. There is an abundance of talent amongst young people and tutors taking part in fèisean, and with increased opportunity to access specialist and ongoing tuition we are able to ensure the development of their skills. The fèis movement now involves around 36,000 people as participants or audience members, therefore making a significant contribution to the creative industries and Gaelic language development across Scotland."

As well as supporting both Fèisean nan Gàidheal and local fèisean, HIE's funding will support some key projects and developments including a new drama school for adult learners and other community related drama activities in partnership with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and MG Alba.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal, which supports 45 local Fèisean - currently provides the equivalent of 100 jobs across Scotland annually, bringing £7m into the Scottish economy, and £6m into the economy of the Highlands and Islands in a three-year period.

More Information

Julie Fowlis
Julie, originally from North Uist attended her first fèis when she was nine and learned how to play musical instruments such as the chanter. She went on to study a music degree and now has one of the busiest music touring schedules in Scotland. Julie has delved into the world of broadcasting, having presented her very own show on BBC Radio Scotland for two years running as well as appearing on the Gaelic television channel BBC Alba. Julie co-presented this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards of which she won Folk Singer of the Year in 2008. More recently a song from Julie's breakthrough album is featured in the high profile new Disney Pixar movie Brave.

Julie found the fèisean hugely important. She said: "It was part of a great learning curve for me. I think there's something about playing music with other people that creates a bond and lasting friendships have been created that remain strong. The fèisean have done a power of good not only for the culture and music but also for the language, making it accessible to young people."

Mairearad Green
Winner of the PRS Composer of the Year award at the MG Alba Scots Music Awards and renowned for her deft and lyrical accordion style, Mairearad, originally from Achiltibuie, is in great demand as aperformer and composer. She can often be seen on stage with Anna Massie, Box Club, The Poozies and The Usual Suspects, and many of Mairearad's compositions are rapidly becoming well known on the Scottish Folk Scene.

Mairearad said: "I first attended Fèis Rois when I was nine years old then I attended every one possible until I was too old to participate. I have since been involved as a tutor at various fèisean events. Both socially and musically, I have benefited greatly from the Fèis, making friends for life and receiving music tuition that was not otherwise available in the Highlands. Through the Cèilidh Trail project I experienced life as a professional musician and have never looked back."

Anna Massie
Equally at home as accompanist or melody player, Anna Massie is one of Scotland's foremost guitarists. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, she also excels on the fiddle, mandolin and tenor banjo. As well as being a member of Blazin' Fiddles and The Unusual Suspects and working in a duo with Mairearad Green, the past few years have seen her perform with her own band, Kate Rusby, Karen Matheson, Capercaillie and Eddi Reader. She is three time nominee for Best Instrumentalist at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards (2005, 2008 and 2010) and a very talented musician.

Anna said: "I attended the Easter Fèis Rois a couple of times between the ages of nine and eleven and had a great time with other musicians. There was always music in our house growing up and my dad taught me how to play the guitar when I was seven, and I also took fiddle lessons around the same age."