MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2015: Speyfest

Congratulations to Speyfest who have been nominated in Event of the Year sponsored by VisitScotland in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2015. Vote now!

We asked Jim Hallyburton of Speyfest the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
The Speyfest story began in 1996 with the idea that the residents of Fochabers would support a summer festival celebrating the village’s rich musical heritage. A group of volunteers armed with a small grant and a great deal of help from local businesses organised a weekend of traditional music featuring some of the many local musicians and bands, along with one or two “headliners”. Roll the clock forward to 2015 and we now have a festival of the best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music and the arts. It normally features well over 20 acts or bands,in excess of 200 musicians audience numbers in excess of 6,000 (more than three times the population of Fochabers itself) and a Craft Fair with over 50 exhibitors.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Speyfest is a registered charity and this festival has only grown and matured and become what it is due to a very dedicated band of volunteers who spend a year organising it and then give up the best part of a couple of weeks to staff and run it, this is all done in order to promote our music and to support young and upcoming local musicians.

Any particular career highlights?
Every year is a new highlight, we have a winning formula but are not content to sit on our laurels and are constantly refining every element of the weekend and we try to remain open to new ideas

What are your plans for the future?
We have just celebrated Speyfest number 20 and are well on our way to organising Speyfest number 21 and remain confident that the next festival will be the best one ever !

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall call the Caird Hall box office on (01382) 434940 or buy online.