Lochaber business raises a glass to World Gaelic Week

Award-winning Ardgour Ales microbrewery has joined forces with local organisers to celebrate World Gaelic Week (Seachdain na Gàidhlig) this weekend.

 

A day of music and craic, Loch Abar Beò (Live in Lochaber) will take place around The Highland Cinema and will feature some of the area’s finest musicians and singers in the venue’s main screen on the evening of Saturday February 25.

 

Rachel Walker and Aaron Jones, Mary Ann Kennedy and Finlay Wells, Ingrid Henderson and Iain MacFarlane and Ewen Henderson will also be taking part in the pop-up Gàidhealtachd through the day, with free music and Gaelic conversation sessions throughout the afternoon from 2pm.

 

Head brewer at Ardgour Ales and committed Gaelic learner Fergus Stokes will be serving two special Gaelic guest beers throughout the day and evening at the Highland Cinema.

 

“Àite-Leann-Beatha (Place-Beer-Life) has been at the heart of our ethos since we

 

first started brewing in Ardgour, and we have always been careful to ensure that Gaelic has a proactive place both in our branding and in informal daily chat,” he said.

 

“It’s a pleasure to be a part of such an exciting new venture.”

 

The music and conversation sessions for all abilities will run in the cosy cinema Café during the day and after the gig while a spectacular early evening video showcase of Gaelic music and song completes the bill.

 

Event organiser Mary Ann Kennedy said: “Loch Abar Beò highlights the vital place that Lochaber holds in the contemporary Gaelic world, with everyday business as well as arts and culture making everyday use of the language.

 

“We’re delighted that Ardgour Ales is joining us to show how Gaelic makes a difference.”

 

All the sessions and the showcase are free events to which everyone is welcome,

 

and tickets for the evening concert are available through the Highland Cinema box office www.highlandcinema.co.uk.

 

Loch Abar Beò has been made possible by funding from Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Arts Fund) and the Small Grants Fund of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

 

It forms part of Hands Up For Trad’s ‘Seachdain na Gàidhlig’, a wide range of live and online events from February 20-26.

 

For more information on Loch Abar Beò, including times and tickets, visit

 

www.watercolourmusic.co.uk and click the Projects link.

 

For more information on World Gaelic Week visit www.seachdainnagaidhlig.scot.