Monach Isles Ceilidh Band with James Graham
11
Sultain | September 2026
20:00
GMT
’S e ceòl-triùir Gàidhealach a th’ ann an Còmhlan Cèilidh Monach Isles, a' cruthachadh fuaim gun samhail air a' bhogsa gun samhail a’ bhogsa, a' phìob is nam feadagan, agus nan drumaichean gus cèilidhean fìor beòthail a lìbhrigeadh.
Le freumhan làidir sa Ghàidhealtachd agus ceangalan domhainn teaghlaich is cultair ri Uibhist a Deas agus na h-Eileanan an Iar, tha an còmhlan a’ tarraing air dualchas ciùil beairteach nan eilean agus na Gàidhealtachd san fharsaingeachd. Bidh iad a' cluich measgachadh de na seann phuirt as fheàrr le luchd-cèilidh, le puirt-chruinn, ruidhlichean, caismeachdan agus srath-spèithean, uile air an cluich le spionnadh, mionaideachd agus fìor ghaol don cheòl.
Ge bith an ann a’ cluich do dhannsairean ann an talla coimhearsnachd, a’ cluich dha luchd-èisteachd fhèisean, no a’ cuideachadh a chòmharrachadh tachartasasn sònraichte, tha Còmhlan Cèilidh Monach Isles moiteil à faireachdainn bhlàth a chruthachadh agus casan a chumail a’ gluasad bhon chiad dannsa chun an dannsa mu dheireadh.
’S ann à Loch an Inbhir, air iar-thuath Shiorrachd Chataibh, a tha Seumas. Thòisich e a’ gabhail pàirt ann am Mòdan bho aois cho òg ri naoi bliadhna, fo stiùir ceannard-sgoile na bun-sgoile aige, Coinneach MacCoinnich. Thug piuthar a sheanmhar, Seordag Mhoireach à Aichilidh Bhuidhe, aig an robh Gàidhlig na cainnt mhàthaireil, brosnachadh mòr dha cuideachd. Cheumnaich Seumas bho Acadamaidh Rìoghail Ceòl is Dràma na h-Alba ann an 2003 le ceum le urram ann an Ceòl Albannach, far an do rinn e sgrùdadh air a’ phìob-mhòr agus seinn Ghàidhlig fo stiùir an t-seinneadair is sgoileir Ghàidhlig chliùitich, Kenna Chaimbeul.
Ann an 2004 bhuannaich e duais Neach-ciùil Traidiseanta Òg na Bliadhna aig BBC Scotland, agus ann an 2007 choisinn e Bonn Òir a’ Mhòid aig a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail ann an Loch Abar. Bhon uair sin tha e air nochdadh ann an grunn shreathan ciùil soirbheachail, agus a tha air duaisean a bhuannachadh, air telebhisean agus rèidio, leithid Transatlantic Sessions 4.
The Monach Isles Ceilidh Band is a Highland trio bringing together the unmistakable sounds of accordion, pipes and whistles, and drums to deliver a lively and authentic ceilidh experience.
With strong roots in the Highlands and deep family and cultural connections to South Uist and the Western Isles, the band draws inspiration from the rich musical traditions of the islands and the wider Gàidhealtachd. Their repertoire combines well-loved ceilidh favourites with driving jigs, reels, marches and strathspeys, all performed with energy, precision and a genuine love for the music.
Whether playing for dancers at a community hall, entertaining festival audiences, or helping celebrate special occasions, The Monach Isles Ceilidh Band pride themselves on creating a warm atmosphere and keeping feet moving from the first to last dance.
James is from Lochinver in the far north-west corner of Sutherland. He started competing at Mods from as early as 9 years old under the guidance of his Primary School head-teacher, Kenny Mackenzie. He was greatly inspired also by his great Aunt Seordag Murray, a native Gaelic speaker from the nearby village of Achilitibuie. James graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2003 with an Honours degree in Scottish Music where he studied bagpipes and Gaelic song under the respected Gaelic singer and scholar Kenna Campbell.
In 2004 he won the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award and in 2007 won the Mòd Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in Lochaber. He has since appeared in several successful and award winning television and radio music series such as Transatlantic Sessions 4.