Caolas 50: Robert Nairn Cèilidh Band with Mary Ann Kennedy
05
Sultain / September 2025
20:00
GMT
Seo a’ chiad tachartas sònraichte aig Blas gus Caolas 50 a chomharrachadh. ’S e cèilidh molaidh don MV Maid of Glencoul, a chaidh a togail ann an 1975 agus a tha fhathast a’ frithealadh luchd-siubhail on Chorran, a bhios ann an Talla Cuimhneachain Àird Ghobhair a-nochd.
Ged is ann à Glaschu a tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig, a choisinn dà bhonn òr aig a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta, tha i air a bhith ann an Loch Abar fad iomadh bliadhna, ag obair na neach-ciùil agus na craoladair. ’S ann o theaghlach a bh’ air am bogadh ann an òrain Gàidhlig a tha Màiri Anna, agus lean i a sinnsearan gu math dlùth, air a trèanadh ann an ceòl chlasaigeach agus ag obair mar neach-ciùil, craoladair, sgrìobhadair-ciùil agus riochdaire. Tha i fhèin agus a cèile, Nick Mac an Tuairneir, a’ ruith Watercolour Music, a’ riochdachadh agus a’ clàradh ceòl ann an Àird Ghobhar. A thuilleadh air an sin, tha i an sàs ann an iomadh phròiseact choimhearsnachd, nam measg a’ stiùireadh Còisir Gàidhlig Loch Abair agus a’ cuir sreath de chonsairtean air dòigh ann an talla a’ bhaile agus ann an Eaglais Thelford. Tha i cuideachd na preasantair air ‘Rùrachd’ air BBC Alba. Tha Màiri Anna air dà chlàr fhoillseachadh i fhèin, ‘An Dàn’ (2017) agus ‘Glaschu’ (2019).
’S ann à Ceann Tràgha air taobh an ear de Rubha Àird nam Murchan a tha Raibeart Nairn. Tha a’ cheòl a tha e a’ cluich air a’ bhogsa stèidhichte air traidiseanan Gàidhlig agus pìobaireachd Tabh Siar na Gàidhealtachd, agus tha fios gun tèid do tharraing chun làr-danns’!
The first of two special events at this year's Blas Festival celebrating Caolas 50 (Ardgour and Ballachulish). Tonight's cèilidh in Ardgour Memorial Hall pays tribute to the MV Maid of Glencoul which was built in 1975 and has served on the Corran Crossing for over 40 years, currently providing a back up service to this busy route.
Glasgow Gael and double Mòd Gold Medallist Mary Ann Kennedy has now lived in her adopted Lochaber home longer than anywhere in her life as a musician and broadcaster. The younger generation of a family of Gaelic song tradition bearers, her classical musical training - and a brief diversion running the BBC’s Gaelic news service – led to a career as musician, broadcaster, composer and producer. She runs the Watercolour Music production house and recording studio in Ardgour with husband Nick Turner, and is involved many local community projects including directing the Lochaber Gaelic choir and running a highly successful concert series in the village hall and Telford kirk. She is also presenter of the ground-breaking 'Rùrachd' foraging series on BBC ALBA. Mary Ann has two solo albums on the ARC label, ‘An Dàn’ (2017) and ‘Glaschu’ (2019).
Robert Nairn hails from the village of Kentra on the east side of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. The music he plays on his button keyed accordion is rooted in the West Coast Gaelic and piping traditions and you won't be able to keep off the dancefloor!