The Arts Journal’s potted guide to this summer’s arts festivals in the Highlands and Islands.

APRIL / MAY

SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVAL
29 April – 2 May, Shetland
Well established and notably convivial folk festival, notorious for both great music and mammoth hangovers. This year’s guests include Finnish band JPP, Jock Tamson’s Bairns, Sunhoney and Astrid Williamson.
www.shetlandfolkfestival.com/

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE 2004
30 April – 3 May, Speyside
Essentially a whisky festival celebrating the products of this famous distilling area, but with associated ceilidhs and crafts events.
www.spiritofspeyside.com
 

FEIS ROIS INBHICH (Adult Feis Rois)
Ullapool, 1-3 May
A 3 day traditional cultural festival with tuition in music, song, dance and language. Instrumental tuition and good crack from top names in traditional music, plus sessions and ceilidhs for those who just want to listen.
www.musicscotland.com/feisrois
 

STRATHSPEY IN MAY
7-9 May, Grantown on Spey
This year’s festival of traditional music isn’t as high on big names as its predecessors, but the quality of the guests remains good, including the Anna Massie Band, the Christine Hanson Trio, Gaelic singer Kathleen Graham, and uillean piper Mick O’Brien, as well as the usual workshops and sessions.
www.strathspeyinmay.com
 

EVANTON MUSIC FESTIVAL
14-16 May, Evanton, Ross-shire
Small but friendly festival of traditional and folk music and song, with ceilidhs, workshops and an open stage.
evantonmusicfestival@btinternet.com
 

LOCH SHIEL SPRING FESTIVAL
17-22 May, Ardnamurchan
Now in its eight year, the Loch Shiel event focuses on classical music. This year’s artists include singer Suzanne Lomler from the USA, Glasgow-based pianist Gustav Fenyo, clarinettist Ruth Ellis (of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra) and the Edinburgh Quartet.
www.shielfestival.freeuk.com/
 

ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL
27-30 May, Orkney
The Northern Isles other major folk festival of the summer, with events in eight different centres. Guests include Shooglenifty, Finlay MacDonald Band, North Cregg, Session A9, Filska, Anna Massie Band, and many more.
www.orkneyfolkfestival.com

ISLAY MALT & MUSIC FESTIVAL 2004
29 May – 6 June, Isle of Islay
A celebration of two perennial favourites on the island, with concerts (including a Blues Night, a Piping Recital, and Irish Night, and gigs from the Peatbog Faeries and Contraband), ceilidhs, a crafts fair, a festival carnival and more.
www.islayfestival.org
 

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