The Taransay Fiddlers

28 July 2009
The Taransay Fiddlers 2009 have returned from the Island of Taransay where the hot weather was an added bonus to a very busy and sucessful  week.
This years camp was the largest to date with a total of seventy on the island for the camp.Many of this years students were younger players which is very encouraging for the future of traditional fiddling in Lewis and Harris.
Due to the excellent weather all week many extra activities took place including a historic walk,golf tournaments,highland games,fishing trips,a ceilidh and dance on Taransay and many sessions.
Participants this year came from Alberta Canada,Auckland New Zealand,Melbourne Australia as well as England and all regions of Scotland.
The tune writing competition this year was won again by Robbie Leask of Shetland.Robbie is making a habit of this and is a very competent composer.Local ladies Isobel Macritchie and Catherine Murray organised the catering.
The final concert on the Friday night in Tarbert Community Hall was sold out with the students and tutors playing to a full house.
Performers included Alan Henderson,Charlie Mackerron,Patsy Reid,Andy Thorburn,Alistair White,Gillian Johnson with Magaret Mellon, The Taransay Gaelic Choir  and all the Taransay Student Fiddlers.
Fidhleirean Eilean an Fhraoich would like to thank all the volunteers and sponsors CNES,Lews Castle College,Roddy Graham Mini Bus Hire,Hotel Hebrides,Brownie Morrison Tarbert.
Feidhleirean Eilean an Fhraoich is a non-profit organisation which is committed to promoting the understanding and learning of traditional fiddle music through the support of fiddle instruction and related activities. Volunteers organize the Fiddle Camp, concerts, workshops. Our aim is to revitalise and nurture traditional fiddle playing in the Hebrides.