A spectacular anniversary concert will bring together four decades of Fèis Rois participants and the next generation of traditional musicians
Fèis Rois will mark its 40th anniversary with a special concert next week bringing together musicians from across four decades of the charity’s history, alongside some of the young performers who represent its future.
In 1986, Fèis Rois was the second Fèis to be established in Scotland. The first Fèis, Fèis Bharraigh, was held on the Isle of Barra in 1981; Christine Martin, a strings instructor from Ross-shire, attended the Fèis in Barra and, when she returned home, she suggested to colleagues that a similar project should be developed in Ross & Cromarty. Around 50 young people attended the first residential Fèis Rois event in 1986 – 40 years later, several thousand individuals took part in Fèis Rois activities in the last 12 months.
From an initial event that attracted 50 people in June 1986, Fèis Rois has grown to become widely recognised as a national leader in traditional music education in Scotland. With a busy year-round programme and a local, national and international reach, the charity now contracts nearly 200 freelance musicians to work with 5,000+ children, young people and adult learners every year.
Thousands of musicians have taken their first creative steps through Fèis Rois, with many going on to enjoy distinguished careers including Mischa Macpherson, Lauren MacColl, Mairearad Green, Innes White, Graham Mackenzie, Corrina Dawn, Ronan Martin, Rory Matheson, Rachel Walker, and many more, and they will join the next generation of musicians on stage at Eden Court on 8th September for a special evening of music and celebration.
Lauren MacColl, award-winning fiddle player and former Fèis Rois participant, commented: “I honestly don’t think I’d be playing the music I do today without the grounding in Highland music and culture that Fèis Rois gave me. A lot of it, like much of the best teaching, was subconscious learning. It was immersion in a world of language, heritage, respect for tradition, and permission to carry it forward with our own voice, all delivered through fun, genuine engagement and sharing.”
“As well as the obvious musical element, Fèis Rois has made it possible to carve out a freelance career as a musician in the Highlands. Employment across educational and creative projects gave me the security and confidence to return to living and working here. The visibility of an organisation like Fèis Rois, and the high-profile work they do, continues to show that world-class creative careers can be built here in the Highlands.”
The concert will showcase the rich traditions that have been central to Fèis Rois over the past four decades, from Gaelic song and fiddle music to pipe sets and dancing, while also celebrating the musicians, teachers, participants and communities who have helped shape its story.
Led by Musical Director and former Fèis Rois participant Innes White, the concert will feature a 40-piece house band made up of some of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians – all with their own connections to Fèis Rois. They will be joined on stage by young musicians, including the 2026 Ceilidh Trail, Kiltearn Fiddlers and Cluich Rois. A mother and daughter, who both attended Fèis Rois as youngsters will be part of the house band, demonstrating that the charity really has spanned generations, becoming a part of family life.
Rooted in the traditions of the Highlands and Islands but always looking at ways to innovate and develop, Fèis Rois continues to champion Gaelic language and culture alongside the rich musical heritage of Scotland. Its influence reaches far beyond Ross-shire – from its long-standing partnership with the National Celtic Festival of Australia to collaborations with major folk festivals such as Cambridge, Sidmouth and Lorient, providing opportunities for the young Ceilidh Trail musicians to share the stage with some of the world’s top folk musicians, Fèis Rois has showcased its work across the globe. Australian duo, The Maes, who will be special guests at the 8th September concert, which is partnership with the Blas Festival, participated in the first youth exchange between Fèis Rois and National Celtic Festival of Australia in 2013 and it was there they met and collaborated with Fèis Rois musicians Innes White (Sian, Staran) and Conal McDonagh (Breabach) – a relationship which has continued in to their professional careers.
Fiona Dalgetty, Fèis Rois Chief Executive, added: “What began with a small gathering in 1986 has grown into a movement that has influenced generations of musicians and learners, at home in Scotland and far beyond. Fèis Rois has always been about people; bringing people together through music, creating opportunities and giving people the confidence to explore their own culture and creativity. It feels really special to be able to celebrate 40 years by bringing so many of those individuals together on one stage.”
“As we mark the 40th anniversary of Fèis Rois, we celebrate not only four decades of remarkable achievement, but also the countless tutors, volunteers, families, supporters and participants whose passion has made this possible.”
The Fèis Rois at 40 concert, in partnership with Blas Festival, takes place on 8th September at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness and tickets are available from www.eden-court.co.uk/event/feis-rois-at-40.