Blas Festival 2025 to light up the Highlands
One of the most anticipated events in the Highland cultural calendar, Blas Festival, returns this September with an electrifying programme of traditional music, Gaelic celebration, and community events across the Highlands and Islands.
Running from 5th - 13th September, the 2025 edition of Blas will feature some of the finest traditional musicians from Scotland and Ireland, including acclaimed artists Julie Fowlis, Duncan Chisholm, James Duncan Mackenzie, Lauren MacColl, Mischa Macpherson, Norrie MacIver, Gaelic supergroup Dàimh, and the internationally celebrated Flook, among many others. A world-first will also feature in the festival finale: Aon Ghuth / One Voice, the first Gaelic Makaton choir, will take to the stage alongside some of Gaeldom’s finest Gaelic singers, Arthur Cormack, Jenna Cumming and Ruairidh Gray.
Organised by Fèisean nan Gàidheal in partnership with The Highland Council, Blas, now a cornerstone of the Highland cultural calendar, is a dynamic celebration of Gaelic culture, bringing world-class performances to local venues, from village halls to arts centres, ensuring communities of all sizes can take part in this rich cultural experience. This year, the festival will host around 25 concerts and cèilidhs, with a strong focus on collaboration and partnerships with small arts organisations throughout the region.
Calum Alex Macmillan, Chief Executive, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, commented: “Blas Festival 2025 continues our proud tradition of celebrating Gaelic language, music, and heritage across the Highlands. From Ardross to Ardgour, and Strathy to Staffin, we’re bringing people together through cultural connection, music and creativity.”
Since its modest beginnings in 2004, with just three venues in Strontian, Clashmore, and Strathpeffer, Blas has delivered over 1350 events featuring 5,550 performers and welcoming an audience of more than 130,000. It has contributed at least £8.4m to the local economy since it began.
A standout event in this year’s programme is An Treas Suaile, presented by Highland fiddler Duncan Chisholm and renowned Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis. This moving performance shares the stories of those lost in the Iolaire tragedy, combining music and visuals in a powerful tribute. An Treas Suaile gives the audience a powerful insight into the disaster, when in the early hours of New Year’s Day 1919, more than 200 servicemen returning from the First World War drowned when their boat sank at the entrance to Stornoway Harbour. Originally commissioned by An Lanntair in Stornoway to mark the 100th anniversary of the disaster, this poignant work will be performed in Ullapool and also in Kyle, a community closely linked to the tragedy.
Julie Fowlis said “Working on creating a commemorative piece about the Iolaire tragedy has been the most profoundly moving project for both Duncan and I. Since the original commission of An Treas Suaile (The Third Wave) in 2018, ahead of the 100 year commemoration, we have continued to research the stories of the men who were onboard the Iolaire, the ship which sank desperately close to Lewis shores in the early hours of January 1st, 1919. This event will be an evening of conversation with music and song from our original production.”
Celebrating the cultural bridge between Scotland and Ireland, Irish musicians Bláithínn MhicCanna, Piaras O Lorcain & Lauren Ni Nèill will join Lauren MacColl for special concerts in Dunvegan and Arisaig, after joining Lewis piper James Duncan Mackenzie in Ardross and Carrbridge. Festival favourites Dàimh will energise audiences in Tomatin and Glenelg, and Flook will bring their virtuosic sound to Resolis and Golspie.
Members of the popular band, Trail West, will help celebrate the 25th anniversary of Fèis Air an Oir in Strathy and Blas 2025 will also feature cèilidhs, tradition bearer celebrations, and birthday tributes, plus musical and drama visits to local primary schools, making it a festival for all ages and tastes.
The 21st Blas Festival will be wrapped up with a spectacular celebration of Gaelic music, song, and heritage.
The finale features renowned Gaelic singer Arthur Cormack, performing with his sons Ruairidh and Iain, alongside vocalists Jenna Cumming, Alice Macmillan and Ruairidh Gray, in what will be a powerful showcase of Gaelic song.
They’ll be joined by a stellar house band led by Musical Director Ingrid Henderson, with Iain MacFarlane, Angus Nicolson, and Eamon Doorley, plus a string quartet led by Lochaber’s Helena Rose.
Opening the evening will be Aon Ghuth / One Voice, the world’s first Gaelic Makaton choir, blending Gaelic song with Makaton signs to empower individuals with additional needs through music. The not-to-be-missed final concert will also feature the first live performance of Mike Vass’s 2020 Blas Festival commission, Air Falbh ann am Bàta, originally created during lockdown and now brought to life by a group of young Fèis musicians, using material from the Tobar an Dualchais archives.
Calum Alex continues: “This year’s programme highlights our commitment to youth engagement, with a Blas Festival first from ‘Aon Ghuth / One Voice’ and several Fèisean participant performances. Many will be performing in a professional setting for the first time, showcasing the talent and passion of the next generation.”
Cllr Drew Millar, Chair of Highland Council Gaelic Committee, said: “The Blas Festival is a key annual feature of the cultural calendar, and The Highland Council is delighted to continue supporting it.
“Gaelic and traditional music are not only important socially and culturally, but also economically - the festival has made a tremendous contribution to Highland communities over the years, and the 2025 event will build on the success of previous festivals. Once again we’ll see the best of Gaelic traditional music, reflecting the huge amounts of talent we have and the work that goes in to provide opportunities for musicians throughout Highland. Audiences across the area will enjoy an excellent programme of events and I wish all involved every success.”
The full programme of events can be found at www.blas.scot along with details of how to purchase tickets. Stay up to date with all the latest gig and artist news on the Blas Festival social media accounts, @blasfestival.
Released by Katie Mackenzie PR
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Fèis Bhlais 2025: prògram-ciùil sònraichte agus gàirdeachas ann an coimhearsnachdan air feadh na Gàidhealtachd
Diardaoin 10 Iuchar 2025, Tillidh aon de na tachartasan cultarail as aithnichte air a’ Ghàidhealtachd, Fèis Bhlais, san t-Sultain, le prògram fìor bheòthail de cheòl traidiseanta agus tachartasan coimhearsnachd a nì gàirdeachas air cultar na Gàidhlig.
Bidh cuid den luchd-ciùil as fheàrr à Alba is Èirinn rin cluinntinn aig Blas eadar 5mh – 13mh den t-Sultainn. Bidh Julie Fowlis, Donnchadh Siosalach , Seamus D MacCoinnich, Lauren NicColla, Mischa Nic a' Phearsain, Norrie MacIomhair, an còmhlan-ciùil cliùiteach Dàimh, agus Flook - còmhlan a tha aithnichte air feadh an t-saoghail- a-measg na bhios a’ nochdadh. Bidh Aon Ghuth / One Voice- a’ chiad chòisir Ghàidhlig anns an t-saoghal a bhios a’ cur feum air “Makanta” fhad ’s a tha iad a’ seinn- a’ nochdadh aig cuirm-chiùil deireannach na Fèise, a bharrachd air feadhainn de na seinneadairean Gàidhealach as ainmeile a th’ ann, a leithid Art MacCarmaig, Jenna Chuimeanach agus Ruairidh Gray.
Tha Fèis Bhlais ga h-ullachadh le Fèisean nan Gàidheal ann an co-bhann le Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, agus tha i na clach-bhunait ann am prògram-ealain na sgìre. Bidh fèill mhòr air cultar na Gàidhlig ann an coimhearsnachdan air feadh na Gàidhealtachd ri a linn, is sàr thachartasan gan cur air dòigh ann an tallaichean-coimhearsnachd agus ionadan-ealain. Mar seo, thèid a dhearbhadh gum faigh daoine às gach ceàrn cothrom air na tachartasan beairteach, cultarail. Thèid mu 25 cuirmean agus cèilidhean a chur air dòigh mar phàirt den fhèis tro co-obrachadh le buidhnean-ealain beaga.
Thuirt Calum Ailig Macmhaoilein, Ceannard Fèisean nan Gàidheal, “Tha Fèis Bhlais 2025 a’ leantainn a’ chleachdaidh a th’ againn de bhith a’ dèanamh gàirdeachas air ar cànan, ceòl is dualchas Gàidhealach air feadh na Gàidhealtachd. Thathas a’ toirt dhaoine cruinn còmhla tro cheangalaichean cultarail, ceòl is cruthachalachd, eadar Àird Rois agus Àird Ghobhar, Srathaidh agus Stafainn.”
Thòisich Blas ann an 2004 agus gun ach trì ionadan an sàs, ann an Sròn an t-Sìthein, A’ Chlais Mhòr agus Srath Pheofhair. Bhon uair sin chaidh 1,350 tachartas a chumail le 5,550 neach-ciùil is neach-ealain gan taisbeanadh air beulaibh 130,000 de luchd-èisteachd, agus chaidh £8.4 millean a chur ris an eaconamaidh ri a linn.
’S e An Treas Suaile aon de na tachartasan as motha a ghlacas aire am-bliadhna sa, agus a th’ air a thaisbeanadh leis an fhìdhlear Ghàidhealach Donnchadh Siosalach agus an seinneadair ainmeil Julie Fowlis. Thèid ceòl agus ìomhaighean a chur gu feum tron chuirm ioma-mheadhanach shònraichte seo, gus sgeulachdan iadsan a chaill am beatha ann am mòr-thubaist Na h-Iolaire a chur an cèill gu faireachail, cumhachdach. Gheibh an luchd-èisteachd fios is faireachdainn air an sgrios a chaidh a dhèanamh nuair a chaidh còrr agus 200 saighdear eileanach a mharbhadh oidhche na bliadhn’ ùire 1919, is iad air an slighe dhachaigh bhon Chiad Chogadh Mhòr nuair a chaidh an long a bha gan giùlan air na creagan aig beul caladh Steòrnabhaigh, gun ach beagan shlatan bhon dachaigh. Chaidh an obair seo a choimiseanadh sa chiad dol a-mach leis An Lanntair gus an 100mh ceann-bliadhna den tubaist a chomharrachadh, agus thèid a thaisbeanadh am-bliadhna sa ann an Ulapul agus cuideachd anns A’ Chaol, coimhearsnachd le ceangal ris an tubaist.
Thuirt Julie Fowlis, “Thug e buaidh mhòr orm fhèin is Donnchadh a bhith ag obair air cuirm a chomharrachadh tubaist Na h-Iolaire. Bhon chaidh An Treas Suaile a choimiseanadh sa chiad dol a-mach ann an 2018 gus 100 bliadhna bhon thachair an tubaist a chomharrachadh, tha sinn air leantainn le ar cuid-rannsachaidh air sgeulachdan nam fear a bh’ air bòrd Na h-Iolaire, a chaidh air na creagan cho buileach uabhasach faisg air caladh Steòrnabhaigh, 1mh den Fhaoilleach 1919. ’S i oidhche de chòmhradh a bhios ann, a bharrachd air ceòl agus òrain bhon choimisean.”
Bidh luchd-ciùil Èireannach Bláithínn MhicCanna, Piaras Ó Lorcáin & Lauren Ni Nèill a’ cluich còmhla-ri Lauren NicColla aig cuirmean-ciùil sònraichte ann an Dùn Bheagain agus Àrasaig is iad a’ dèanamh subhachas air ar cultar Gàidhealach co-roinnte, agus bidh am pìobaire Leòdhasach Seumas D MacCoinnich nan cuideachd ann an Àird Rois agus Drochaid Chàrr. Cuiridh luchd-èisteachd anns An Tom Aitinn agus Gleann Eilg fàilte air còmhlan a tha mion-eòlach air Fèis Bhlas agus air a bheil fèill mhòr, Dàimh, agus bidh an ceòl sàr-bhuadhach aig Flook ri chluinntinn ann an Resolis agus Goillspidh. Bidh buill bhon chòmhlan-chiùil iomraiteach, Trail West, a’ comharrachadh 25 bliadhna de dh’Fhèis air an Oir ann an Srathaidh, agus a bharrachd air sin bidh cèilidhean, cuirmean a’ comharrachadh sheanchaidhean ionadail agus cinn-bhliadhna shònraichte, agus bùitean-obrach dràma is ciùil ann am bun-sgoiltean. Mar sin, ’s i fèis don h-uile duine, sean is òg, a bhios innte. Thèid crìoch a chur air an 21mh Fèis Bhlais le cuirm-deiridh anabrrach, leis an t-seinneadair Ghàidhlig chliùiteach, Art MacCarmaig, agus a chuid mhac, Ruairidh agus Iain, cuide ri Jenna Chuimeanach, Alice Nic a’ Mhaoilein agus Ruairidh Gray, ann an taisbeanadh de dh’òrain Ghàidhlig gun choimeas.
Bidh an còmhlan-taighe air a stiùireadh le sàr stiùiriche-ciùil Ingrid NicEanraig, agus bidh Iain MacPhàrlain, Aonghas MacNeacail agus Eamonn Doorley na cuideachd, a bharrachd air còmhlan-ceathrair a bhios a’ seinn innealan-ciùil teudach agus air an stiùireadh le Helena Rose à Loch Abar. ’S iad Aon Ghuth / One Voice a chuireas a’ chuirm gu dol. ’S iad a’ chiad chòisir Ghàidhlig anns an t-saoghal a bhios a’ cur feum air “Makanta” fhad ’s a tha iad a’ seinn gus cothrom nas fheàrr a thoirt do dhaoine le feumalachdan a bharrachd a dhol an sàs ann an ceòl. Bidh cothrom aig an luchd-èisteachd Air Falbh ann am Bàta a chluinntinn beò airson a’ chiad turais cuideachd. Chaidh an ceòl seo a dhèanamh le Mike Vass mar phàirt de choimisean Fèis Bhlais 2020, ri linn a’ ghlasaidh-shluaigh. Chaidh clàraidhean bho Thobar an Dualchais a chur gu feum, agus chaidh a chluich le òigridh bho na Fèisean.
Thuirt Calum Ailig, “Tha prògram na bliadhna sa a’ dearbhadh ar dealais ann a bhith a’ toirt chothroman don òigridh, le Aon Ghuth / One Voice a’ nochdadh airson a’ chiad triop, a bharrachd air com-pàirtichean bho Fhèisean air feadh na dùthcha a’ gabhail pàirt ann an grunn tachartasan. B’ e seo a’ chiad chothrom dha grunnan dhiubh a bhith a’ cluich ann an suidheachadh proifeiseanta, agus a’ taisbeanadh an cuid thàlaint agus dìoghrais.”
Thuirt an comhairliche Drew Millar, Cathraiche Comataidh Gàidhlig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, “Tha Fèis Bhlais na chlach-bhunait anns a’ phrògram chultarail gach bliadhna agus tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air a dòigh taic a chumail rithe a-rithist.
“Chan ann a-mhàin gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig agus ceòl traidiseanta cudromach dha ar beatha-sòisealta agus cultar air a’ Ghàidhealtachd, ach cuideachd a thaobh na h-eaconamaidh. Tha an fhèis air an t-uabhas a chur ri coimhearsnachdan air feadh na Gàidhealtachd thar nam bliadhnaichean, agus nì Fèis Bhlais 2025 leudachadh air sin.
“Thèid an ceòl Gàidhealach as fheàrr a thaisbeanadh a-rithist, agus tha an fhèis na comharra air an uiread de thàlant a th’ againn a bharrachd air an t-saothair an lùib cothroman a thoirt do luchd-ciùil air feadh na Gàidhealtachd. Mealaidh luchd-èisteachd bho gach ceàrn den sgìre sàr phrògram de thachartasan agus tha mi a’ guidhe gach soirbheachas dhan h-uile duine a tha an sàs.”
Lorgar am prògram slàn aig www.blas.scot a bharrachd air mar a cheannaichear tiocaidean. Gheibhear am fiosrachadh as ùire mu chuirmean-ciùil agus luchd-ealain air meadhanan-sòisealta Fèis Bhlais, @blasfestival.
Released by Katie Mackenzie PR