Fèis Rois:
The Music Makers of Our Future
Fèis Rois is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s leading traditional arts organisations.
Through a diverse programme programme of activities in Ross and Cromarty, across Scotland and beyond, Fèis Rois enables people of all ages to access, participate in and enjoy the traditional arts and Gaelic and Scots language.
In addition to offering an extensive programme of traditional music tuition, Fèis Rois supports young musicians to tour across Scotland, the UK and internationally through its long-standing project The Ceilidh Trail.
“The Ceilidh Trail provided my first experience of working as a touring musician and provided a realistic impression of the challenges and rewards of touring’’
- Iona Fyfe, the youngest-ever winner of Scots Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2018
Image: Courtesy of Fèis Rois
The Ceilidh Trail is a professional development opportunity and paid summer job for young musicians considering a career in traditional music performance.
Fèis Rois established this successful programme 21 years ago in 2000 and since then 158 young musicians have taken part.
The project comprises up to three groups of musicians, each visiting different areas of Scotland and incorporating local repertoire.
During four summer weeks, these young musicians perform for dances in village halls, lead pub sessions and give recitals in castles and theatres, as well as performing at high profile festivals.
As well as creating these invaluable touring experiences, the Ceilidh Trail includes workshops for young musicians to learn about live sound, performance skills, dance calling, and arranging sets of tunes and songs.
Through these, musicians develop key skills, including stage craft, live sound engineering, audience development and more.
Image: Courtesy of Fèis Rois
The project brings traditional music to the heart of many communities throughout the peak tourist season, providing a boost to Scotland’s cultural tourism industry and offering the opportunity for visitors and residents to hear excellent indigenous music.
The project enhances the visitor experience with performances taking place in breathtaking locations, from the Falls of Clyde to St Magnus Cathedral and Knockan Crag to the HMS Unicorn.
As well as touring across Scotland, musicians are also given the chance to perform internationally, representing Scotland on the world stage.
Thanks to Fèis Rois’ collaborative outlook, the organisation has established long-standing and hugely successful partnerships with Festival Interceltique de Lorient, the National Celtic Festival in Australia and Cambridge Folk Festival, one of the longest running folk festivals in the world.
“Always enjoy the Fèis Rois musicians and always try to come to Scotland when the Ceilidh Trail is on.”
Tourist at a Ceilidh Trail event
Image: Courtesy of Fèis Rois
99%
99% of audience members would consider attending another Ceilidh Trail event, if they were in the area
95%
95% of audience members said they were interested in finding out more about traditional music or attending other traditional music events
4.86/5
The Ceilidh Trail events were rated an average of 4.86 stars out of 5
Since the Ceilidh Trail started in 2000, it has gone from strength to strength and its successful model has now been adopted by six other communities across the Highlands.
The Ceilidh Trail has become a valuable professional development opportunity for young musicians, providing a stepping stone between studying and launching a career as a performing artist.
The project has opened up many different pathways for the young musicians who have taken part: some have gone on to become well-known Scottish Country Dance Band players, others have become ambassadors for the Gaelic or Scots languages and some are creating exciting new collaborations between many different genres of music.
They have each carved out successful careers in Scotland’s music scene and many have gone on to make a name for themselves in the industry.
Image: Courtesy of Fèis Rois
Image: Courtesy of Fèis Rois
21 Years of the Ceilidh Trail
In 2020, Fèis Rois were due to celebrate the 21st anniversary of The Ceilidh Trail with a series of summer concerts and ceilidhs throughout Scotland, England, France and Australia.
Disrupted by Covid-19, Fèis Rois instead marked the milestone with a special double album featuring tracks by 21 former Ceilidh Trail participants including Mairearad Green, Kim Carnie, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Charlie Grey and Joseph Peach, as well as bands which include former Ceilidh Trail musicians such as Treacherous Orchestra, Hecla and Inyal.
Fèis Rois also hosted an online concert to celebrate the anniversary.