The Cèilidh Trail project is a Fèis initiative which allows teenagers to train and work as professional musicians each Summer. A new CD release from the Lochaber Cèilidh Trail Band celebrates this work in Lochaber and serves to highlight the wonderful talent we have emerging in the Highlands today. Packed with fantastic arrangements of Gaelic song and Highland music, this is a lovely example of traditional music arranged sympathetically and performed beautifully by Lochaber’s finest young exponents.

The musicians are made up of Fèis youngsters from Fort William, Arisaig, Acharacle and Glenuig and are aged between 16 and 19. The same band of musicians toured Lochaber last year as part of the Cèilidh Trail project and went on to perform at the Celtic Colours Festival, Cape Breton, Canada in October. They are:

Olivia Bridge ~ fiddle, backing vocals
Ewen Henderson ~ fiddle, pipes, piano, vocals
Megan Henderson ~ fiddle, accordion, backing vocals, piano
Joanne McHale ~ vocals
Andrew MacDonald ~ accordion, vocals
Iain MacMaster ~ piano accordion, vocals
Robert Nairn ~ button box
Lauren Tait ~ clàrsach, piano, vocals

This CD is an example of joint working between various Lochaber organisations. It was initiated by the Lochaber Fèisean, recorded at Watercolour Studios in Ardgour and produced by Iain MacFarlane (Blazin’ Fiddles). The cover layout is by Skipinnish Records and the front cover design by John Sutherland of Heather Hat. It is therefore another representation of the wonderful musicianship and talent that abounds in the Lochaber area.

The CD will be available from most local outlets and distributed more widely by Highlander Music. If you want a chance to hear the Cèilidh Trail band live they will be on tour in Lochaber from Friday 7 until Sunday 30 July and then go on to take part in the Blas Festival in September. Please see dates below*.

This recording project and the Cèilidh Trail as whole would like to thank Fèisean nan Gàidheal, The Highland Council, the Scottish Arts Council, Lochaber Enterprise and Whelk LEADER+ for their support.

Further information from Ingrid Henderson, Lochaber Fèisean Development Officer on 01397 704132, or ingrid@feisean.org  
 

CD ùr a’ nochdadh bhon Chuairt Chèilidhean aig Fèis Lochabair

Tha na Cèilidhean air Chuairt aig Fèisean Lochabair a’ toirt cothroim do dh’òigridh trèanadh agus obair fhaighinn tro’n t-samhradh a’ seinn agus a’ cluich thall sa bhos mar luchd-ciùil proifeiseanta. Tha fàilte mhòr a-nise air a’ mheanbh-clàr ùr a tha air nochdadh bhuapa. Làn de dh’òrain Gàidhlig ‘s puirt Gàidhealach, tha an clàr seo a’ taisbeanadh an tàlant luachmhòr a th’ againn air a’ Ghàidhealtachd an-diugh.

Tha an luchd-ciùil a tha air a’ chlàr seo eadar 16 agus 19 bliadhna dh’aois agus tha iad bho feadh Lochabair: Arasaig, An Gearasdan, Ath Tharracail agus Gleann Uige. Bha iad a’ cluich còmhla mar bhuidheann an-uiridh airson cuairt Shamhraidh agus chaidh iad an uiarsin gu Fèis Celtic Colours ann an Ceap Bhreatainn, Canada airson cuairt eile anns an Dàmhair. Ged a tha iad òg, tha iad fìor thàlantach. Is iad:

Olivia Bridge ~ Fidheall, seinn
Ewen Henderson ~ Fidheall, a’ phìob, piana, seinn
Megan Henderson ~ Fidheall, bocsa-ciùil, seinn, piana
Joanne McHale ~ Seinn
Andrew MacDonald ~ Bogsa-ciùil, seinn
Iain MacMaster ~ Bogsa-ciùil, seinn
Robert Nairn ~ Bogsa-putain
Lauren Tait ~ Clàrsach, piana, seinn

‘Se eiseimpleir glè mhath de cho-obrachadh eadar bhuidhnean Abrach a th’anns an CD seo. Thàinig am beachd bho Fhèisean Lochabair anns a’ chiad dol a-mach, agus chaidh a chlàradh aig Watercolour ann an Àrd Gobhar, air a riochdachadh le Iain MacPhàrlain a Ghleann Fhionnan (Blazin Fiddles). Bha an leabhran air a chur ri chèile le Skipinnish Records agus an dealbh air aghaidh air a dealbhachadh le John Sutherland às an Drochaid Ruadh. Mar sin ‘se fìor phròiseact Lochabair a th’ann a tha a’ sealltainn na comasan làidir a tha anns an sgìre.

Bidh an CD ri fhaighinn anns na bùithean ionadail agus air a sgaoileadh nas fharsaingse le Highlander Music. Bidh an còmhlan cuideachd air chuairt eadar 7 agus 30 Iuchar ann an sgìre Lochabar eadar Cnòideart, Eilean nam Muc agus Inbhir Gàraidh ma tha sibh airson an cluinntinn beò. Tha fiosrachadh aig bonn nan duilleagan seo*.

Tha am pròiseact seo a’ toirt taing do dh’Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Iomairt Lochabair agus Whelk LEADER+.

Tuilleadh fiosrachaidh bho Ingrid Henderson, Oifigear-leasachaidh Fèisean Lochabair air 01397 704132, neo ingrid@feisean.org