Speyfest

Speyfest – the much-loved Moray folk festival, are delighted they are finally able to celebrate 25 years after the disappointment of delays due to Covid.

It is with very mixed emotions as it is with great sadness that their founder, long-term Chairman and of course dearest friend James Alexander will not be with them for this milestone occasion. James passed away in May after a long illness that he fought so bravely. He will be sorely missed but he leaves an amazing legacy as a talented musician and teacher. The organisers are planning a fitting tribute to him and his incredible musical legacy as part of the 25th anniversary event. The festival closing day will see some of James’ closest musical colleagues gather, including Charlie McKerron, Douglas Lawrence, Paul Anderson and Gregor Borland, to share some of the tunes they played together over the years.

The festival will be hosted in the event’s pop-up Tented Village by the picturesque banks of the River Spey, Speyfest will transform Fochabers into a haven of music and culture between 22nd - 24th July. Thousands are expected to flock to the Fochabers festival as it welcomes a host of Scottish talent and marks a quarter of a century showcasing the very best in traditional and Celtic music. Headliners include contemporary bagpiping sensation Red Hot Chilli Pipers and multiaward-winning Scottish outfit Skerryvore, who will take to the Speyfest stage for the 25th anniversary celebrations. Audiences will also be able to catch Highland folk favourites Elephant Sessions and enjoy the exquisitely rugged yet refined sounds of the mighty RURA, alongside performances from traditional music duo Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, esteemed fiddler Duncan Chisholm and Anna Massie & Mairearad Green.

The festival will also welcome Celtic pop act Dougal's Jumper, upbeat contemporary trad band Tìr-Mòr, ceilidh band Makarakit and Moray seven-piece The Forty Elephants, local talent Colin Campbell & Friends, Speyside trio Kilderkin, north-east musicians and tutors Don & Emma Holdernesse, Elgin rock artist Danny

Mortimer and exciting Edinburgh folk-pop-rock group Chameleon Lady.

Speyfest will also be back providing a fantastic platform for up-andcoming musicians from Moray and beyond to showcase their talents, welcoming Milne’s High School Fiddlers to the bill for 2022. Traditional music and singing workshops will also engage and inspire youngsters and adults alike throughout the weekend.

The Speyfest Young Entertainer of the Year

competition returns, with youngsters involved in all forms of Celtic entertainment, from singing and instrumental music to poetry and comedy, invited to apply. Entries are open now and the winner will get a coveted spot on the Speyfest 2022 line up. Alongside the lively mix of concerts, ceilidhs and stomps taking place across the event’s Bothy Stage and Whisky Stage, the final day will see the event’s non-denominational Celtic Kirk Service and Speyfest Family Sunday take place. Speyfest stalwart Chris Wiles will get the crowd going once again when he returns as host and to close out the weekend, BBC Radio Scotland Travelling Folk broadcaster Bruce MacGregor will take on the MC mantle for much of Sunday. Local producers and suppliers will also be showcased at Speyfest, with a bustling craft fair and a vibrant food and drink fair including tastings on offer.

Speyfest Association Vice-Chair Ashleigh

Macgregor said: “We are so looking forward to welcoming faces old and new to our beloved festival as we mark an incredible 25-year milestone within the Moray community. This year’s festival is made all the more poignant Lifestyle MAG

by the passing of our dear friend and founder James Alexander and we have every intention of doing him proud with this year’s milestone event. “We will be showcasing the very best in traditional and Celtic music and giving keen young musicians a valuable opportunity to meet and learn from the best known musicians on the scene, while injecting economic opportunities into the local community. “Thank you to everyone who snapped up an early bird ticket and to everyone planning on joining us across the weekend this July, it’s going to be a really special weekend. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our sponsors and supporters who make the festival possible.” First held in 1995, Speyfest has grown from a local event with one small tent holding around 300 people, to a 1500-capacity festival and much-loved jewel in the traditional music calendar in the north-east. You don’t want to miss it!

General tickets for Speyfest 2022 are on sale at www.speyfest.com.

Can’t find a path through the woods on your planning issue? TheTownPlanner can help you! 96-98 High Street, Aberlour, AB38 9QA One step at a time... info@speylarder.com www.speylarder.com

FINE WINES, MALT WHISKIES AND BEERS

COOKERY BOOKS, QUALITY GIFTS & LINENS

• All types of Planning Applications • Planning Advice • Planning Objections • Planning Appeals • Planning Policy Consultations • Planning Enforcement

Tel: 01340 871243Delivering Solutions CHRISTMAS TREATS & GIFTS FOR ALL THE FAMILY! SCOTTISH & CONTINENTAL FINE FOODS PICNIC LUNCHES AND GOURMET SANDWICHES HAMISH DON’T CHARGE UPFRONT FEES TO SELL YOUR

Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday CLOSED Email: info@thetownplanner.co.uk At Spey Larder the hamper is the perfect Christmas gift for family & friends.. HOME, WE CAN EVEN FUND YOUR HOME REPORT! TO FIND OUT MORE Visit our charming Victorian Shop in the heart of Whisky Country... GIFT HAMPERS AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ASKHAMISH@HAMISH-HOMES.CO.UK OR TELEPHONE 01463 250000 Call: 01479 872 953 www.thetownplanner.co.uk

LOOKING FOR THAT ORIGINAL GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS?

Give the gift of a memorable stay at our beautiful

Riverside, Self Catering Cottage with 2 Bed, 2 Bathroom. Oh, and there’s a bar attached!

Call to hatch a plan and lovely surprise with Ali on 07841 357 637 Modern style street food using locally sourced produce from top suppliers.

Planning a special get together and need a cosy friendly fun venue, look no further. Book the Fiddichside bar for a couple of hours, no booking fee. We love to cook with game and think this will be a game changer!!

Call Ali 07841 357 637 and get the party started! The food we serve is packed with flavour. DOGS WELCOME

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

FOR ALL FUTURE EVENTS

Specialists in sandstone carving, bespoke work, lime work, building and monument restoration and general stonemasonry

OPENING TIMES

Mon - Thurs 5:30pm - 9pm | Friday 4:30pm - 10:30pm Saturday 12:30pm - 10:30pm | Sunday 12:30pm - 9pm www.facebook.com/seasonalflavour www.thefiddichside.comwww.instagram.com/seasonal_flavour

Speyvilla, 51 High Street, Rothes, Morayshire AB38 7AY