This year’s Blas Festival took place between 1 and 9 September with around 40 concerts as well as an array of work in Highland schools and care homes. Among those performing were Skipinnish, Breabach, Mànran and Duncan Chisholm. Ireland’s Sharon Shannon returned, following her debut Blas appearances last year, to join Skerryvore at Eden Court in Inverness.
The Angus Nicolson Trio, Donald Black Band, Ireland’s Fidil and Canada’s MacIsaac & MacKenzie all appeared as did Iain MacFarlane and Ewan Robertson joined by Dermot Byrne, Altan’s former box player. An array of the finest Gaelic singers were to the fore including Mairi MacInnes, James Graham, Iain MacKay, Margaret Stewart, Rona Lightfoot, Ewan John Morrison, David Mackenzie, Murdo ‘Wasp’ MacDonald, Amy MacKay, Mary Catherine MacNeil, Freddie Mackenzie, Robert Robertson, Rachel Walker, Alasdair Whyte, Eilidh Cormack, Linda Macleod, Allan MacDonald, Christine Primrose as well as Dingwall Gaelic Choir and Inverness Gaelic Choir. In an established partnership with Comhairle nan Leabhraichean Gaelic poets, including Maoilios Caimbeul and Aonghas MacNeacail, made guest appearances at some events.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal delivered Blas events across the area served by The Highland Council working with a large number of voluntary and professional promoters, venues and artistes. This is the model of festival the council envisaged when officials and members visited Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours around 15 years ago. Due to additional funding from Argyll & Bute Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, this year we took in some venues in Argyll and the Western Isles and we are grateful for the ongoing support of The Highland Council, HIE, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Creative Scotland and, this year, Marine Harvest who sponsored Blas 2017.
Read the Fèisean nan Gàidheal newsletter http://www.feisean.org/wp-content/uploads/Faileas64.pdf