Detailed information and booking forms are now available for our annual Fèis week in October.

Some paper copies will be available through local schools or by contacting Fèis Spè, but the information is available to download from the Fèis Spè page of this web-site.

There is a booking deadline of 17th September 2010 and this will be strictly adhered to!

Please book early as we expect demand for places to be very high this year.

The seven young musicians of the Cairngorms Cèilidh Trail band have returned home after another successful tour of the National Park area.

With spirits undampened by the weather of the first week, they lived up to expectations and provided top-quality entertainment during a hectic schedule of 14 performances at venues from Cairngorm Mountain to Kingussie and Tomintoul to Glenisla.

The new format of ‘wandering minstrels’ was enjoyed by all members of the band, with well-received performances in the Ptarmigan restaurant, Base station and on the train at Cairngorm and in several venues on Balmoral Estate. The hopes of some of the more adventurous musicians of playing at the top of the forest tower at Landmark were dashed by the weather, with the players taking turns to perform in the restaurant while others enjoyed the variety of other 'playing' experiences on offer at the site!

Tour co-ordinator, Judith Bullivant said, “We have had very positive feedback from audiences and promoters at all the venues – some of them have already requested inclusion in next year’s tour!

“The young people have been a credit to themselves – they are all highly talented musicians and have worked well as a team to share their enthusiasm and skills with audiences in a wide range of situations. We are very grateful to all the host venues, supporters and funders for their help in making the tour such a success”.

The picture (by Frances Porter) shows the team aboard the Runaway Train Rollercoaster at Landmark. We would like to re-assure readers that the instruments were safely stowed away on firm land before the train set off!

Over 30 children from the Upper Deeside Primary Schools enjoyed the first Community Music and Dance Day, held in Ballater Primary School on Saturday 5th June.

Organised by Fèisean a' Mhonaidh Ruaidh, the event offered a variety of sessions in step dance, tin whislte, percussion, song, drama and art all led by experienced music tutors, some of them professional musicians.

Fèisean a' Mhonaidh Ruaidh Development Officer, Caroline Sterritt, said "Through Fèis Spè, we have been offering similar events in Badenoch and Strathspey for many years. Thanks to Cairngorms Leader and the Cairngorms National Park Authority as major funders, we are able to widen these opportunities to many more communities.We are delighted with the repsonse to the day - everyone had a great time and is asking for more!"

As well as the younger participants, the members of the Cairngorms Cèilidh Trail band held a rehearsal day and provided the music for a fitting end to the day, piping the crowd to the Victoria Hall for Community Cèilidh with parents and friends.

Funding has been secured to run another Music and Dance day in September - further details will be available shortly.