After selling out in 2024, Fergusson’s Auld Reikie is back for another airing — a celebration of the genius of 18th century Edinburgh poet Robert Fergusson, brought to life through poetry, music and song.
Sunday 20 September, 3pm–5pm (doors 2.30pm) Portobello Town Hall, Edinburgh
Robert Fergusson’s verse captured the teeming life of Edinburgh’s closes, tenements and taverns in the 1770s — and this show sets it against the great Scots songs and airs of the period. Fergusson’s words will be read by Billy Kay, woven together with music from Jim Malcolm, Sarah Hoy, Steve Byrne and Gary West.
The show was originally performed by Billy Kay, Tony Cuffe, Derek Hoy, Norman Chalmers and Rod Paterson, and it’s a real honour to bring this beautiful piece of work back to life for a new audience.
The afternoon comes in two halves: solo sets from the musicians and singers first, followed by a short interval, then the full performance of Fergusson’s Auld Reikie itself.
As one review from a previous performance put it:
“It was beyond description. I felt saturated in the music. No applause until the end, song followed song, and fiddle and pipes, guitar and whistle all blended and sound perfectly balanced.” — Dolina MacLennan
This concert is supported by the Traditional Arts and Culture Fund, administered by TRACS, with support from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Please note: no refunds.