Music Archives - Am Paipear

£1million boost for Cnoc Soilleir from Scottish Government

December 14, 2016

Design concept for Cnoc Soilleir. Image: John Renshaw Architects (2015)

£1million has been pledged by the Scottish Government to support the Cnoc Soillier project.

Working in partnership, Ceòlas and Lews Castle College UHI hope to establish a dedicated centre for Gàidhlig music, dance and cultural heritage in Daliburgh, South Uist.

Announcing the support today, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I am pleased to confirm £1 million in Scottish Government support towards the development the Cnoc Soilleir project.

“The establishment of a multi-functioning Gàidhlig education and arts centre in Uist will create over 40 full-time equivalent jobs in the coming years and generate significant benefits for the local economy. It will also secure a sustainable future for Gaelic in the area, in line with this government’s commitment to supporting the language in communities and in education at all levels across Scotland.”

Read all about the plans for Cnoc Soilleir in the latest edition of Am Pàipear – out now.

Hell yeah! Rocking finale for EDF

July 31, 2016

Oasis tribute act Stop the Clocks. © Am Pàipear

After a sensational opening session last night, Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) presented an amazing line-up of rock acts last night (Saturday 30th July) for a pulsating end to a cracking weekend of live music.

Earlier in the day – which included activities for families on the EDF site at Liniclate – entertainment in the main tent was provided by acts including Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band, Angel, Chris McGill, The Shed and Uist Pipe Band.

Chris McGill. © Am Pàipear

Beinn Lee Ceilidh Band kicked off the evening session, followed later by The Tailormade, a trio once described as “the best buskers in London” by then Mayor of London Boris Johnson. They performed a mix of covers – including a rousing version of Kanye West song ‘Goldigger’ – and an original composition – ‘Benbecula’ – penned earlier in the day (watch out for a video on the Am Pàipear page on Facebook).

The Tailormade. © Am Pàipear

As the evening progressed it almost seemed as though Benbecula had been swapped for Manchester, with Stone Roses tribute act Resurrection taking to the stage, closely followed by Oasis tribute band Stop the Clocks.

Resurrection performed a series of Stone Roses classics. © Am Pàipear

Stop the Clocks channeled the spirit of Oasis for EDF. © Am Pàipear

Finally the evening – and the first music festival for Benbecula – was rounded off with a storming set from the legendary Donnie Munro. He performed a series of songs from his own back catalogue – and former band RunRig – to the delight of the crowd.

Donnie Munro. © Am Pàipear

Yesterday saw acts including Skippinish, Vatersay Boys, Trail West, ABBA A RIVAL and Fatlips perform on the first night of EDF 2016. More than 3000 people are believed to have attended over the course of the two-day festival, which it is anticipated will return next year.

Donnie Munro closing EDF. © Am Pàipear

Look out for more pictures and details from EDF 2016 in the next edition of Am Pàipear.

It’s official…Benbecula is currently hosting the best festival ever!

July 30, 2016

Skippinish headlining EDF last night. © Am Pàipear

Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) got off to a rocking start last night with more than 1000 revellers enjoying a sensational evening of music, dance, food and drink…

Following years of planning and a colossal volunteer effort setting-up over the past week, Benbecula’s first music festival got underway on Liniclate machair last night.

Alex MacDonald & Friends (above) opened EDF. © Am Pàipear

Skippinish headlined yesterday’s exceptional evening of entertainment, topping a bill that included Vatersay Boys, Trail West, ABBA A RIVAL, Fatlips and local group Alex MacDonald & Friends.

EDF is sold out with some 3000 people expected over the course of the two-day event. Local residents are being joined by many people from the mainland and around the world for the festival.

Pirates ahoy! This hen party travelled from Inverness to EDF. © Am Pàipear

Festivalgoers snapping memories to look back on. © Am Pàipear

Music performed last night varied from the impromptu ceilidh session kicked off by AlexMacDonald & Friends to the rock classics performed by Fatlips. ABBA tribute band ABBA A RIVAL warmed up the crowd with a selection of the hits of the Swedish icons, before Trail West, Vatersay Boys and Skippinish gave the night a rousing send-off.

Fatlips got the EDF crowd rocking. © Am Pàipear

ABBA A RIVAL got the crowd buzzing. © Am Pàipear

Trail West were the first of three trad bands to headline last night. © Am Pàipear

As well as the main tent, the EDF site includes spaces for stalls and merchandise sales, fairground rides and several mobile food stalls.

Helen MacLean and Sarah MacEachen manning the merchandise stall. © Am Pàipear

Doors open again today (Saturday 30th July) at midday, with lots of family fun promised throughout the afternoon.

Today will see Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band, Ceilidh Trail, Angel, Alex, Chris McGill, The Shed, Uist Pipe Band, Beinn Lee Ceilidh Band, Chunks, The Tailormade, Resurrection, Stop the Clocks take to the stage.

Former frontman for RunRig, Donnie Munro and his band, will headline tonight.

Look out for more pictures and details in the next edition of Am Pàipear.

Running start for Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain

July 12, 2016

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Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain hit the ground running this weekend, with a heart stopping photo finish for the annual ‘Rèis nam Fèis’ fun run.

Each year the week-long festival of music, drama and dance kicks off with the fun run setting off from Stoneybridge Hall in South Uist. More than fifty people took part in ‘Rèis nan Fèis’ on Sunday 10th July 2016.

In a finish that was too close to call, Kevin Beaton from Balivanich and Joseph MacInnes from Stoneybridge came in first equal at 24.32.

Look out for more results in the next edition of Am Pàipear.

Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain is now underway at Sgoil an Iochdair, with more than 120 young people taking part.

Tutors working at the fèis this week will perform at a ceilidh in Stoneybridge Hall at 7.30pm tomorrow evening (Wednesday 13th July).

Then, a live music session will take place at the Dark Island Hotel on Thursday 14th July at 8pm, followed by the climactic Ceilidh na Cloinne at 2pm on Friday 15th July in Sgoil an Iochdair.

Ceòlas launches major fundraising drive

July 12, 2016

Visualisation of Cnoc Soilleir. Image: John Renshaw Architects (2015)

Ceòlas rounded off a successful summer school last week with the launch of a major fundraising drive to finance the development of a dedicated centre for Gàidhlig music, dance and culture in South Uist…

Working in partnership, Ceòlas and Lews Castle College UHI are seeking to establish a purpose-built venue for training and education in music, dance and Gàidhlig.

Cnoc Soillear – named after the Daliburgh site identified for the project – will cost an estimated £6.5 million to build. It is expected 96% of the capital required for the development will come from various government and agency funds.

However, in order to demonstrate community support for Cnoc Soilleir, £250,000 will have to be raised from individuals and businesses.

Ceòlas is inviting groups and individuals to become patrons of Cnoc Soilleir by donating £500 towards the project. If 500 donations of £500 are received, the quarter of a million target will be met.

Singers performing at the Ceòlas crossover demonstration last week.

Ceòlas launched what has become known as the Cnoc Soilleir Capital Funding Campaign at the Ceilidh Mhòr which rounded off the summer school hosted last week.

A very encouraging response was received and – at the time of writing (Tuesday 12th July) – ten donations of £500 have been received, with many more people requesting further information.

Smaller donations are also welcome. All donations received will be held in a ring-fenced account and can only be used to progress the building development. Patrons will be issued receipts and should the project not go ahead, full refunds will be issued.

Everyone who becomes a patron of Cnoc Soilleir will receive a plaque on the ‘wall of fame’ within the new building and free entry to special events hosted at the venue.

If you would like to become a patron of Cnoc Soilleir, please e-mail cnoc-soilleir@ceolas.co.uk or telephone 01878 700 154.

Ceòlas has grown from a week-long music and dance school established in 1996 to become a leading international Gàidhlig culture, heritage and arts organisations.

Lews Castle College UHI runs an acclaimed and popular BA Applied Music course – among others – from its campus at Liniclate, Benbecula.

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Voove to keep EDF crowd connected with WiFi

June 24, 2016

Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) has announced Benbecula-based firm Voove will provide full on-site WiFi coverage over the course of the two-day event.

As a result, festival-goers will be able to instantly post their happy snaps online as they dance the nights away. EDF will also provide secure phone charging points to allow guests to charge their phones as and when required.

Connectivity provided by local technology company Voove – which earlier this month revealed it will be providing WiFi at the Belladrum tartan Heart Festival – is expected to be a big hit with the crowds at Scotland’s newest music festival.

EDF founder Roddy MacKay said: “I’m delighted that with the support of Voove we can offer this essential digital service to our guests here at EDF 2016. Connectivity in the islands is absolutely paramount for tourism and industry, so to be able to have our guests instant reactions from a site that normally does not even have a mobile signal, nevermind Wi-Fi, is absolutely fantastic.”

Advance vouchers are available online from https://www.voove.com/product-category/edf-wi-fi-vouchers/ at a discounted cost of £6 for one day, or £10 for the duration of the festival. These are strictly limited so make sure you get yours quick.

On-site, vouchers will be £8, and £15 respectively, available at the Voove stand within the main arena. Voove’s expert team will be on hand to support festival goers with any connection issues.

Tickets for this first Festival in Benbecula are selling fast so if you don’t have yours yet then make sure you get them now at www.ticketsource.co.uk/edffestival or pop in to the office at East Camp in Balivanich.

£10,000 funding boost for EDF

June 24, 2016

Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) has secured £10,000 support from Awards for All.

Taking place on Liniclate machair on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th July, EDF is the first ever music festival for Benbecula. Acts including Skippinish, Vatersay Boys, Trail West and Donnie Munro will take to the stage over a weekend like no other for the islands.

Funding from Awards for All – a partnership by sportscotland and the Big Lottery Fund – will help cover the costs of setting up the annual festival.

EDF Chairman Roddy MacKay commented “We are delighted to get this award to help us deliver Benbecula’s first music festival. Not since Runrig played at Liniclate more than 20 years ago has there been anything like this held in Uist. With former frontman Donnie Munro returning, it’s sure to be a momentous weekend.

“We will have nearly 20 acts this year and there’s sure to be something for everyone. This award will allow us to showcase Benbecula and the Southern Isles and what they have to offer at a crucial time for the tourism industry here in the islands.”

A spokesperson for Awards for All said: “These grants, totalling just under one million pounds will benefit over 130 groups across the country and shows the variety of projects that can be funded through Awards for All. We are always surprised at the difference a relatively small amount of money can make providing support and advice to people in communities across Scotland and wish all of these groups the best of luck for the future.”

Awards for All Scotland gives out grants of between £500 and £10,000 to projects that bring communities together to enjoy a range of activities. Groups can download this form here www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/awardsforallscotland

Funding setback for proposed Ceòlas centre

October 12, 2015

by Iain Smith

Plans to establish a purpose-built Gàidhlig music, culture and heritage centre in South Uist have been thrown into doubt after a bid to secure funding from the Big Lottery Fund was unsuccessful.

Ceòlas, working in partnership with Lews Castle College UHI, is leading plans to establish the ambitious £9.56million centre. Together they proposed to erect a purpose-built education and performance centre that would provide year-round education alongside performances of an international standard in music, song and dance as well as other aspects of Gàidhlig culture and heritage. Detailed plans for the new centre had been drawn up and, after consultation with the local community, a site was identified for the new facility in Daliburgh.

Ceòlas recently submitted a funding bid for £1.365 million towards the cost of the project to the Big Lottery Fund. However, it has emerged that at this stage the Big Lottery Fund has declined to offer the project any funding.

It had been hoped that the new centre would be completed by June 2017.

However, despite the disappointment of the failed bid, Ceòlas chair Mary MacInnes insists that efforts to secure funding from other sources will continue.

“We are obviously very disappointed that our application to the Big Lottery Growing Community Assets fund was unsuccessful,” she said.

“Nevertheless, we remain very confident about the project’s viability and are positive about the wide-reaching social and economic benefits that it will bring to our community. We are continuing to work closely with our partners at Lews Castle College UHI to identify alternative funding sources to make up the shortfall in our capital investment plan.”

Ceòlas is already preparing other funding applications, and the board will meet later this month to discuss the way forward for the project.

Photo: Visualisation of the proposed new centre at Daliburgh (John Renshaw Architects)

This article was edited on 14th October 2015 (1629).

An Radio to broadcast Ceòlas ‘Ceilidh Mhòr’ live tonight

July 10, 2015

An Radio will live stream the Ceòlas finale tonight.

Tutors and students who have taken part in the summer school this week will perform in Southend Community Hall this evening (Friday 10th July) at 7.30pm.

Those who cannot be there in person can tune in to hear local and visiting artists on 107.2FM through the islands’ own community station, An Radio.

Broadcaster Cathy MacDonald will host the ‘Ceilidh Mhòr’, which marks the end of this year’s summer school.

Q&A with Ceòlas Artist in Residence Sharon MacPherson

July 7, 2015

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Sharon MacPherson is this year’s Ceòlas Artist in Residence.

Earlier today (Tuesday 7th July 2015) Am Pàipear caught up with this year’s Artist in Residence at Ceòlas, Sharon MacPherson from Berneray…

Q: How are you getting on as Ceòlas Artist in Residence for this year?

A: “It’s going well so far. I arrived on Sunday and I an now settled in. Yesterday (Monday) I set up my artwork and so far I have had a very good response with the pieces I’ve brought with me, which is lovely.

“My main reason for being here is actually to capture what Ceòlas is all about and to take, not only my own response, but also other people’s, and produce work as a response to being here.

“Maybe in a month or so I will produce a piece of art, which I’ll present to the Ceòlas team, reflecting on my time here.”

Q: Are you getting a sense already of what that piece may be like, or is it too early to say?

A: “I think it is too early to say what that will be like. There is definitely a fantastic atmosphere, but I’ll maybe answer that question a bit later in the week.”

Q: Have you always been interested in art?

A: “Yes, since I was a child. In all honesty, it was comic books that really started my interest, the illustrations in both comics and books. I really enjoyed trying to copy all of the different characters and would work for hours and hours until I got it just right.

“From a very early age, I was much more keen on illustration, so I began with drawing.

“I did the NC course at Taigh Chearsabhagh after I finished school, and I went on to do a year at Grey’s Schools of Art.

“My career path changed after that, and I actually diverted into health sciences. So my artwork took a backbench during those years and really it was only last year, when I moved back to Berneray, that I found my love for art again. I have spent a whole year reconnecting with different mediums, which I am still doing, still experimenting.

“As you can see, there is a variety of work here. I haven’t quite yet decided on which medium I prefer and I take my inspiration from all my surroundings, especially wildlife.

“Here, I’ve got drawings, watercolours, and also some oils. I haven’t tried using acrylics yet, but what you are seeing there is a wide mix. I think I am starting to prefer watercolours. I’m trying to become more vibrant with colours and develop a looser approach, but I do tend to revert back to my tighter drawing skills and I hope to maybe develop them more.”

See some of Sharon’s work, currently on display in Daliburgh School, at her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sharonmacphersonart?fref=ts