West Lochaber has always been a fertile ground for attracting and nurturing traditional talent and this grouping of musical giants is testament to that. All based in Glenfinnan, the band members are stalwarts from the traditional music world, at home playing large concert venues and bothy cèilidhs.

Renowned box player Addie Harper has been deeply involved in the Scottish music scene, in his native Caithness, Scotland and further afield for longer than he cares to remember. Addie once said, "As long as the fowk are prepared to dance to or listen to our music, I'll keep on playing".

Renowned tradition bearer Angus, the famous ‘Left-handed Fiddler’ is regarded as one the finest ever exponents of the Scottish West Highland fiddle style, typical of the old fiddlers in the Great Glen area of Lochaber.

Annie Grace, from Fort William is a musician, singer and actor. and began her performing career with the Lochaber Junior Pipe Band. As a founder member of Iron Horse, she toured worldwide for 12 years. Since embarking on a solo career, Annie has performed in many collaborations including; The Unusual Suspects and ‘Grace, Hewat & Polwart’.

Acclaimed musician and singer/songwriter living in Inverness, Brian is originally from Dublin and was brought up in Newfoundland. A founder member of ‘Anam’, he has taken Gaelic language and Highland culture to heart and performs regularly with some of our best known traditional musicians and singers.

Buidheann de dheugairean tàlantach, sònraichte a th’ air ainm a dhèanamh dhaibh fhèin mar shàr luchd-ciùil, a’ cleachdadh seinn co-sheirm sa Ghàidhlig.  ’S i Eilidh NicCoinnich, seinneadair Gàidhlig agus sgrìobhadair-òran à Leòdhas, a thug a’ bhuidheann còmhla bho chionn 4 bliadhna.  Tha an t-ainm “Canntaireachd” a’ tighinn bhon dòigh fhuaimneachaidh thraidiseanta a bhiodh pìobairean a’ cleachdadh airson fuinn ionnsachadh do dhaoine eile.

are a group of remarkable and talented teenagers, who have built up a reputation as leading exponents of Gaelic vocal harmony singing since being formed 4 years ago by Lewis Gaelic singer and songwriter Eilidh Mackenzie. The name “Canntaireachd” comes from the traditional oral method used by pipers for passing on tunes.

Celebrating 25 years as the most successful and sought-after Irish-American group in Celtic music history, Cherish The Ladies share their timeless Irish traditions passed down from fathers to their daughters.  The all-female ensemble's spectacular blend of virtuosic instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing showcases all the facets of traditional Irish culture.
 “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do.” -The Boston Globe

STMA Gaelic Singer of the Year 2009, Christine, from Lewis, has toured extensively giving concerts and recitals in North America , Australia and Europe, and currently teaches Gaelic song at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic College on Skye.

My parents encouraged my singing from a very early age ~ Gaelic, English and the traditional Gaelic Psalm-singing.  Gaelic singing is a beautiful thing and I am privileged to be able to have such a rich heritage. I am in the local Gaelic choir and sing at various ceilidhs within the county and further afield. I am also an Office-bearer in the recently formed 'FEIS GHALLAIBH' where we constantly support and encourage the children in all things Gaelic.  To hear them singing the Gaelic songs that I love so much gladdens my heart.





Christine won the Moray Trophy for Traditional Gaelic Singing at the Royal National Mod in Caithness 2010.

Le ballrachd a’ chòmhlain a’ tighinn bho Alba, Èirinn, Canada agus Ameireaga, bidh Dàimh a’ cluiche deagh mheasgachadh beòthail de cheòl is òrain bho thraidiseanan cultarail na Gàidhlig, a’ toirt gu chèile diofar sheòrsachan ciùil bho air feadh nan dùthchannan Ceilteach, a’ comharrachadh farsaingeachd gach cultair. 

Taking their name from the Gaelic word for kinship, and with members from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and America, Gaelic super group Dàimh play a high-energy, fast-flowing mix of tunes and songs from the Gaelic cultural tradition, fusing together music from across the Celtic diaspora in a total celebration of their shared cultures.

Great nephew of Gaelic singer Calum Kennedy and a double National Mod Gold Medalist in his own right, Darren was brought up immersed in the Gaelic culture on Skye. Expect his lively puirt a beul or mouth music to have you dancing in your seats…

Joining us for the first time at the Blas festival, are this group of talented youngsters from Bonar Bridge and the surrounding area of Sutherland.

Having emerged from Fèis Ghallaibh this band is becoming a firm favourite on the traditional music circuit. After a stunning performance at The National Mod 2010, Blas Festival invited them to perform at Blas 2011

Mod Gold Medalist and songwriter, Fiona J Mackenzie, is popular both for her performing and teaching of all styles of Gaelic Song, in the Highlands and overseas and she constantly strives to reach out and touch new audiences with her own classic style of both traditional and contemporary material.

Gabe, from Northern California learned his first tunes on the fiddle. Having twice won the U.S. Junior National Scottish Fiddle Championship, Gabe returned to the Highlands in the nineties. After the formation of Dàimh, he studied for a BA in Scottish Music. He is joined by Ross Martin on guitar and button box virtuoso Luke Daniels.

 Distinctive voices which "give fresh definition to the word 'ballsy'" (The Scotsman). They perform Scots dance songs, lullabies, and laments, supernatural and spiritual tales and striking original compositions with harp, pipes/whistle, shruti & guitar.  When they get together they sound just like they are!  Lilting and lovely; bolshie and bawdy; dark and discordant, hopeful and happy!

Iain Morrison, STMA Composer of the Year 2010, and Daibhidh Martin from Lewis have written songs together for the last decade in a diverse range of projects at the forefront of Scotland's new trad and alt-folk music scene. Their new album, Haunted Bird, remains rich in roots, warm and glowing, cast around unforgettable, natural
melodies.

When Sean Connery described Karen Matheson as having a “throat surely touched by the hand of God”, he only told part of the story of a singer at the forefront of the Celtic music scene. Lead singer with Capercaillie, her solo material is also mostly inspired by the traditional Gaelic songs she grew up with – material which continues to mesmerise audiences throughout the world.

Kathleen MacInnes is from Uist and with a background in Gaelic TV Radio, Film and Theatre, she has in the last few years become better known for her voice. 2010 saw the release of Ridley Scott's Hollywood blockbuster film 'Robin Hood' which features Kathleen's vocals. Ridley Scott commented on her vocal during the mix of the movie saying, "Kathleen has a very natural powerful voice! Beautiful!”

Mod Gold Medalist Maggie Macdonald belongs to the Campbells of Greepe of Skye - one of the most famous and accomplished families of traditional Gaelic singers in Scotland. A member of award winning choir Cóisir Gáidhlig Inbhir Nis, she is also the only singer to have sung live by satellite from St Kilda!

Winner of the PRS Composer of the Year 2009 and renowned for her deft and lyrical accordion style, Mairearad is also a gifted composer and piper and one of Scotland’s finest musical exports.

Mànran – ceòl Gàidhlig ùr, aighearrach bhon chòmhlan-chiùil ùr as fhèarr a nochd airson greis.  Tha bogsa-ciùil, fidheal, pìob Ghàidhealach, pìob Uillean agus duiseal a’ cumail taic ri òrain Ghàidhlig agus Bheurla, agus druma is beus a’ toirt nam fuaimean còmhla gu cumhachdach.

Mànran, the fresh, unstoppable sound of modern Gaelic, the hottest new band on the Scottish music scene - combining driving accordion, fiddle, Highland pipes, Uillean pipes and flute with powerful songs in English and Gaelic, all underpinned by rocking drums and bass.

Double Mod Gold Medallist, Margaret MacLellan was brought up on the tiny island of Eilean Shona in Loch Moidart, and in Mingarry, another small village in West Lochaber and has been singing since a very early age.

Cuiridh an còmhlan-cèilidh seo iongnadh oirbh leis na seataichean dannsa mìorbhaileach aca is bidh sibh air ur cumail a’ dol gu uairean beag na maidne!

This great cèilidh band will stun you with their sparkling dance music sets and have your feet tapping till the wee sma’ oors!

The Plockton Pupils from the Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd, have an all-round, in-depth experience in traditional music, born of the school’s top class tuition groupwork, workshops and masterclasses, they are indeed - a class act!

Robert, from Fort William, is one of Lochaber’s up and coming young Gaelic singers, having won the Gold Badge for Singing at the Royal National Mod in Caithness 2010

A rare opportunity this year to hear The Campbells of Greepe - one of the singing dynasties of Gaelic music. Kenna and Seumas Campbell, Kenna's daughters Mary Ann and Wilma Kennedy and niece Maggie Macdonald represent two generations of a family of pipers and singers from the tiny township of Greepe near Dunvegan, in a community where song was the constant to the way of life.

A stunning synthesis of virtuosity and energy, The Outside Track's marriage of Canadian, Scottish and Irish music, song and dance has been rapturously received around the world. Hailing from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton and Vancouver, its five members are united by a love of traditional music and a commitment to creating new music on its foundation. Using fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar, flute, step-dance and vocals these five virtuosos blend boundless energy with unmistakable joie de vivre.



The Outside Track are
Mairi Rankin
(the Rankins, Beolach - fiddle, vocals, stepdance)
Norah Rendell
(Canadian Traditional Singer if the Year nominee - vocals, flute, whistle),
Ailie Robertson
(Live Ireland Winner, BBC Young Trad Finalist - harp, stepdance),
Fiona Black (BBC Fame Academy Winner - accordion)
Cillian O'Dalaigh (Trazz, guitar, vocals, stepdance).

Le teaghlach a bhuineas do Leòdhas, tha Tormod, a bhuannaich Bonn Òir an t-Seann Nòis aig a’ Mhòd, a’ teagasg na Gàidhlig ann an Acadamaidh Inbhir Pheofharain agus tha e na bhall dhen chòmhlan ‘Meantime’.  Tha e cuideachd na phìobaire agus ’s e Fear an Taighe airson na cuirme mòire pìobaireachd a tha gu bhith ann an Eden Court am-bliadhna.

Traditional Mod Medalist Tormod, with a family background from Lewis, teaches Gaelic at Dingwall Academy and is a member of the céilidh band ‘Meantime’. He is also a piper and our Fèar an Taighe for this year’s piping extravaganza at Eden Court

Tha Aonghas, Ailean agus Iain Dòmhnallach iomraiteach air feadh an t-saoghail air sgàth an tàlantan pìobaireachd.  ’S e urram air leth a tha seo dhan Fhèis agus do luchd-èisteachd, na triùir bhràithrean a chluinntinn còmhla.

Angus, Allan and Iain MacDonald are simply legendary and their piping prowess is recognised around the world. It is a great privilege for the festival and our audience to have this rare opportunity to hear all 3 brothers  together