Families from across Perthshire and beyond will have the opportunity to try out a range of Scottish traditional musical instruments during a weekend festival (Fèis) in Aberfeldy in June.

Aberfeldy Festival (Fèis Obair Pheallaidh) at Breadalbane Community Campus on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June is the first Gaelic Music festival of its kind for Perth City and Highland Perthshire for five years.

Organised by Horsecross Arts the creative team behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council’s Education and Children’s Services, the friendly and informal festival is open to individuals and families from aged eight to adult.  Players with all levels of musical experience from complete beginner to advanced can come and have a go on fiddle, whistle, chanter, percussion, guitar, accordion or pipes.

A host of well-known faces from the field of traditional music will tutor at the event including local fiddler and singer Patsy Reid, 2010 Mod Gold Medallist Joy Dunlop, whistle and pipe player Donal Brown, fiddler Lauren McColl and many more.

Gaelic song and dance and crash courses in Gaelic language using the revolutionary Ùlpan quick-learn method will also be on offer during the weekend.  And there will be a real party atmosphere on the Saturday night when the tutors will form a band for a Family Cèilidh with stovies and oatcakes.

Creative learning co-ordinator for Horsecross Arts, Jenn Minchin said:

“The Aberfeldy Festival is open to anyone who wants to learn a little bit more about Scottish music and language in a relaxed and friendly environment.  If you have always fancied a blow of the pipes or a bow of a fiddle, this is the event for you!  It’s also really good value – tickets are just £15 for a family of four – and a great way to get up close and personal with the crème de la crème of the Scottish traditional music scene!”

Dependent on the success of the weekend, Horsecross Arts is hoping to make Fèis an annual event and is also looking at expanding the instrumental tuition into regular Saturday morning sessions for children and adults.

Booking forms can be picked up from Horsecross Arts Box Office at Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre or downloaded from www.horsecross.co.uk/community.  Contact Aileen on aogilvie@horsecross.co.uk 01738 477722 for more info.

Fèis Obair Pheallaidh is supported by Fèisean nan Gàidheal, the organisation which supports the development of community-based Gaelic arts tuition festivals throughout Scotland.

Source: Horsecross Arts