Monach Ruadh - Feis Spe
Speyside Centre 24/7/26
Monach Ruadh – Feis Spe
What a pleasure it is to know that traditional music is alive and well in the Highlands. Feis Spe has been providing top quality tuition and performance opportunities in traditional music and Gaelic for young people throughout the Cairngorms National Park since 1990. Feis is the Gaelic word for festival or feast and has become synonymous with the Feis movement (voluntary)and takes place throughout Scotland. Tuition is accessible and fun, in this case provided by Charlie McKerron (of Capercaillie) and a group of teachers in the Spey valley.
Every year in the summer holidays they embark on a week’s tour around local venues along the Spey. I was lucky to catch them at the lovely Speyside Centre. Sitting out on a sunny afternoon it was a joy to meet friends from previous years when I was running the Strathfest Music Festival.
The band, Monach Ruadh, composed of young musicians performed in front of a crowd of music lovers and visitors. They did themselves proud playing not one but two sets. I am always amazed that they play without music stands and dots. They learn the tunes organically by ear, under the tutelage of Maestro MacKerron, on guitars, fiddles and percussion. What could be more encouraging than young people, playing music in a beautiful setting on a terrace surrounded by nature? A magical experience.
