Enthusiasts for traditional singing will be gathering in NE Scotland later this month for the annual Cullerlie Singing Weekend. The weekend, a unique celebration of traditional song, brings together outstanding traditional singers from Scotland, England, and Ireland. ‘It’s for everyone who likes to hear, enjoy, and join in unaccompanied traditional singing,’ explains Prof. Ian Russell, from Aberdeen University’s Elphinstone Institute, one of the organisers. ‘It’s essentially informal, friendly and non-competitive, and is just the place to encourage the young and less experienced as well as the old hands.’ The weekend, which features Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year, Bella Hardy and her Derbyshire compatriot Stuart Ashton, Máire Ní Chróinín and Francey Devine from Ireland, the North East’s own Russell Taylor, and many other featured guests, includes ceilidhs featuring the guest singers.  Prof Russell adds, ‘It’s for everyone who likes to sing. There are singarounds for everyone who wants to join in, workshops, craft demonstrations and a talk.’

Cullerlie Farm Park and Heritage Centre was set up by Tom (‘Tam’) and Anne Reid in 1993 and is now run by Anne’s daughter Tracey Walker and her husband Eric, as well as other members of the family. Tom moved to the Cullerlie Estate with his parents in 1935, and worked with his father in the traditional way of farming. He kept the traditions alive by turning the old original steading into a farm museum with one of the largest privately owned collections of farming and domestic memorabilia in Scotland. Anne, who was from nearby Peterculter, joined Tom when they married in 1975.

Tom was a legendary singer. In 1977 he was crowned the Bothy Ballad King before a crowd of 10,000 at the Haughs in Turriff, and kept the title until his death in January 2003. Anne was also a fine singer and enthusiast for the culture of the North East, which she promoted through singing and speaking workshops with schoolchildren and adults at local schools and at the museum, as well as hosting regular Saturday-night ceilidhs.

Download a programme here.

The Traditional Singing Weekend, Cullerlie Farm Park, Echt, Skene, Aberdeenshire AB32 6XL

24-26 July, 2015

Booking Enquiries: 01224 645486

Booking Form