John Somerville –

John is looking forward to coming back to teach at the Fèis after a few years absence.

John hails from Abriachan on the north shore of Loch Ness, and began playing accordion at the tender age of ten. His unique driving and dynamic style has seen him heralded as one of the top instrumentalists in Scotland – working with artists and bands as diverse as David Byrne, Franz Ferdinand, Box Club, Croft No. Five and Treacherous Orchestra. 

He has received several national award nominations, including a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for “Best Band”. A tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he has played at some of the worlds most respected venues including the Albert Hall and Queen Elizabeth Halls in London, as well as performances in Japan, Lebanon, USA and China.

Like John’s music page on Facebook

Cil Paul –

Cil is one of our valued committee members and delivers our  very popular Celtic Art classes. Along with other activities the participants work on a producing a Banner that reflects the theme of the Fèis song.

Becky Hill –

We are delighted to welcome back Beckie to join us again this year. Originally hailing from the West Coast of Scotland – Glasgow based traditional harpist and pianist, Beckie comes from a family steeped in traditional Scottish music. Rebecca began her musical education at an early age studying under the tutelage of Sileas Sinclair and Toni Russell. Beckie found she had a natural aptitude for music and through the Fèisean nan Gàidheal music programme discovered her love for the traditional lever harp at the early age of eight.

In July 2017 Rebecca graduated from the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Bachelor of Music (Traditional) course with an Honours Degree of the First Class. Rebecca also reached the semi-finals of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2016 with harp and fiddle duo alongside BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2017 Charlie Stewart.

http://rebeccahillharp.com

Alannah Beaton –

From a young age Alannah has been interested in all aspects of performing. She has also worked for several Gaelic organisations running drama workshops and has taught primary and secondary school children Gaelic drama. She was recently involved in the recording of a radio drama and will be recording another later this year. She is a fluent Gaelic speaker and have had a wide range of experience on stage, screen, behind the scenes and tutoring

Artair Donald –

Delighted that Artair is coming back to the Fèis this year.

Artair was brought up on the beautiful Hebridean Isle of Tiree and has been acting professionally for over 20 years.  He has performed on radio, stage, television and film.  He is known for his regular appearances as Coinneach on the Gaelic TV soap Machair (STV) for over 8 years and more recently, appearing on Rab C. Nesbitt and Eilbheas (BBC Scotland).  In addition to broadcast, he has also been working in theatre particularly Gaelic theatre development for many years and most recently Cartoon Theatre, touring throughout Scotland with a newly created show in Gaelic.

Artair is also the Artistic Director of the Gaelic Drama Summer School run by Feisean nan Gaidheal and also runs a Gaelic youth theatre in Glasgow.

www.imdb.com/name/nm0232011

Megan MacLennan–

Megan MacLellan from Mallaig, is well-known as a presenter and researcher for  BBC Alba She has worked for Fèisean nan Gàidheal on a regular basis doing drama workshops, plays and pantomimes. 

www.feisean.org/en/blog/2018/12/03/gaelic.

Stevie Fivey –

Good to welcome Stevie back to teach this year. Originally from Central Scotland, Stevie attained Grade 1 competition level at only 15 with World Pipe Band Champions Denny & Dunipace Pipes & Drums.  A graduate of revered Edinburgh music college Jewel & Esk, Stevie is in great demand as a leading Scottish percussion teacher at major Scottish youth festivals (Feis Rois, Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin, Splore) and the Merlin Music Academy.

Throughout the past ten years, Stevie has toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe with a variety of bands and shows. This has included performances for Billy Connolly and Prince Charles in prestigious venues such as The Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh Castle.

The Cask Strength Ceilidh Band – YouTube

Gillian Frame –

Fèis Arainn welcomes back Arran’s own Gillian frame as tutor again this year. Gillian was herself a participant at the Fèis in the early days and has since gone on to great things. She was the winner of the Scottish Young Musician Of The Year Competition in 2001 and has since developed a highly successful performance and recording career. She has featured on a dozen recording projects including her current solo album ‘Pendulum’. Here she is performing a couple of great tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqFbVQoGMWQ

Mairi MacInnes –

A firm favourite of Fèis Arainn, Mairi returns to teach Gaelic Singing this year.

Findlay Napier –

Fèis Arainn is very fortunate to have one of Scotland’s most creative singer song writers and guitarists teaching at this year’s fèis in the form of Findlay Napier. Findlay will be teaching ukulele. For more accomplished players there is the chance to learn guitar with him at our new masterclasses. Here he is performing for television. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58Tc5_EEarc

Lorne MacDougall –

We welcome back Lorne to teach Piping and chanter. Lorne from Carradale in Kintyre, is a contemporary piper and multi – instrumentalist known for seamlessly integrating his sounds into movie soundtracks with credits including Brave and How to Train Your Dragon.

He toured for 5 years with traditional folk band The Tannahill Weavers and co – produced and performed all releases from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

lornemacdougall.com

Angus Binnie –

Angus will be teaching whistle at this year’s Fèis. Born and raised in Cromarty and now living and teaching Bagpipes in Fort William, Angus began piping through the Feis movement, and was later taught by legendary piper Rona Lightfoot. He then went on to study music at Strathclyde University and Lews Castle College, Benbecula.

With a few Ceilidhs under his belt, Angus also brings a great passion for electronic music to the band.

Under the dj partnership of “Binnie and Hogg”, Angus has been organizing and playing at club nights up and down the country for years, including a dj slot at Glasgow’s infamous night club The Arches.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8us7BZoq450