A feast of folk in sunshine

There was great music, great company and great weather at the 27th Arran Folk Festival last weekend.

And the festival had a special visitor this year – adventurer and TV presenter Ben Fogle.

He was on Arran last week filming a second series of Scotland's Sacred Islands and his last stop was the Friday afternoon open session at the Douglas Hotel, which his crew filmed part of. Ben even recited a poem. The show will be on the BBC later this year.

But the weekend was all about the music and the afternoon sessions in the bright sunshine of the Douglas terrace on Friday and Saturday saw a host of familiar faces performing to record crowds hosted, as always, by the inimitable Uncle Keith. The two evening shows in Brodick Hall were both sell-outs.

The event was rounded off by a welcome return to the Ormidale Hotel for the survivors Sunday held in the garden on the only cloudy day before the midges chased the performers into the glasshouse to round off a fantastic weekend.

Organiser Andy McCallum told the Banner: “I continue to be amazed by the loyal support our wee festival receives, from the family of visitors that return year after year, to the volunteers who help everything run as planned, and the local businesses that give so generously of accommodation, meals and raffle prizes. I don’t think people appreciate just how important raffle money can be to keeping a small event like ours afloat.

“So this year, as well as a huge thank you to all the artists who gave such amazing perfor

Anne Roberts plays her clarsach in the Ormidale garden as husband Huw looks on.

-mances, all the people who bought tickets for the concerts, and all the people and businesses who contributed so much, a special mention goes to everyone who took a punt on a torn-off scrap of paper. The festival wouldn’t exist without every single one of you.

“Special thanks to Michael, Julia and Bethan for volunteering their time, to Moira, Brian and Wylie for a great venue, to Rena for her workshops, and to Derek and Bill for stepping up when needed.

“Biggest thanks to the rest of my Arran Folk Festival family – Trixi, Nicola and everyone’s uncle, Keith. Here’s to next year.” z

01_B24folk29 Rob and Lynn Daley performing in the Ormidale glasshouse.

01_B24folk12 Uncle Keith gets the party started on the Douglas terrace.

01_B24folk23 A quartet of concertinas players and other musicians.

01_B24folk27 Tim Pomeroy, left, accompanied by Mike Fleming, perform in the Ormidale glasshouse.

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01_B24folk21 Musicians and music lovers enjoy the festival at the Ormidale Hotel.

01_B24folk20 For more photographs see www.arranbanner.co.uk Two guitarists entertain in the Ormidale Hotel garden on Sunday afternoon.

01_B24folk25 Diane Machray performs in the Ormidale garden.

01_B24folk28 George Machray in in serious mood in the Ormidale glasshouse.

01_B24folk13 Gerry Hearns performs ‘O sole mio’.