The eagerly awaited programme for the 2011 Perthshire Amber Festival is announced today, 26 April and includes an array of exciting talent.

There’s rising star Emily Smith, much loved Jimmie McGregor, virtuoso Phil Cunningham, legendary Archie Fisher and a host of star quality from Scotland’s folk and trad scene as well as Beoga from Ireland, Eliza Lynn from USA and Canadian Buddy MacDonald, all performing alongside Scotland’s “musical hero” Dougie MacLean.

The ten day festival, now in its seventh year, will take place from 28 October to 6 November in venues throughout Perthshire and tickets can be booked by calling 01350 724281 or online at the new festival website – www.perthshireamber.com

This year is particularly special as Dougie MacLean OBE explains: “This year looks like being a really special one for me… I will receive my OBE in July at Holyrood for services to music and charity and then a Danish Music Award presented at the Skagen Festival.  I’ve got some great concerts and festivals during the summer and I’m really looking forward to playing with many dear friends and greatly talented musicians at Perthshire Amber later this year.  I can’t wait to welcome everyone, from near and far to beautiful autumnal Perthshire once again.”Music fans will be enthralled by the programme, which has many highlights including:

·    Dougie MacLean with Friends – Moishe’s Bagel, Jimmie MacGregor, Phil Cunningham, Kris Drever, John McCusker, Heidi Talbot on Saturday 5 November at Perth Concert Hall.

·    Dougie MacLean OBE & Archie Fisher MBE….The Legends Concert at Blair Castle on Monday 31 October.

·    The Cathedral Concert with the Jenna Reid Trio and Dougie MacLean with Greg Lawson & Pete Garnett in Dunkeld Cathedral on Thursday 3 November.

·     Dougie MacLean with Strings and Choirs – Dougie’s classic songs plus a performance of the wonderful instrumental composition “Perthshire Amber” featuring String InChorus and Lothian and Borders Police Choir at Perth Concert Hall on Friday 4 November.

Perthshire Amber takes place in venues across Perthshire, a very picturesque and enchanting region of Scotland, which is arguably at its most beautiful during the autumn months.  From delightful village and town halls where visitors will feel the warmest of welcomes to the grandeur of Blair Castle and Castle Menzies (where the welcome will be just as warm!) to a tiny Iron Age Crannog, the stunning new Caledonia Hall at Edradour Distillery and ancient Dunkeld Cathedral.  The venues are all carefully hand-picked by Festival Director Jenny MacLean, who explains:

“There is something so special about Perthshire in autumn time and I chose these venues carefully with the performers and the audience very much in mind.  It’s so important to Dougie and I that we create the right atmosphere for each event – because that’s one of the ingredients that makes Perthshire Amber unique.”

2011 marks the move of the festival hub from Pitlochry down to Dunkeld, a move which is exciting the festival team as Jenny MacLean explains:

“We are delighted to be moving the festival hub to Dunkeld –the special concert venues we’ve chosen just seem to radiate out from it!  Rest assured there’ll still be a wealth of activity going on in and around Pitlochry with great concerts at the Pitlochry Town Hall and at Edradour.  We’re taking over the whole of The Royal Dunkeld Hotel with our admin base, session bars and restaurant on the ground floor with the Open Mic, Cabaret Amber and the Big Knit well housed in its spacious upstairs hall and lounge. Dunkeld is such a picturesque town, with an array of great places for music sessions, workshops and talks. The local businesses have been really supportive and are thrilled at the prospect of the large number of visitors. It is anticipated that some events will sell out very quickly, and though programming Perth Concert Hall as a venue for two very special concerts gives us some extra capacity, we’re urging early booking to avoid disappointment.”

To book tickets for this year’s Perthshire Amber – The Dougie MacLean Festival, which takes place in venues throughout Perthshire from 28 October until 6 November call the ticket hotline on 01350 724 281 – to see the full line up and book tickets online go to www.perthshireamber.com

To book accommodation during the festival, go to www.visitscotland.com

Source: Perthshire Amber