Revived Fort William music festival sets sights on fantastic follow up
A much-loved music festival at the foot of Ben Nevis, which was revived last year at the hands of Scottish cultural visionary Gary Innes, has announced plans for another spectacular edition.
Scottish cultural visionary Gary Innes.
Fort William’s Lochaber Live had lain dormant for 30 years until it was rebooted last September, welcoming crowds of 7,000 to the town over three days to enjoy unforgettable performances and the very best of Highland hospitality.
Having now cemented its place as one of Scotland’s most exciting new-look festivals, the 2025 edition will return to An Aird shinty field from Friday 12 - Sunday 14 September.
The line up for this year – announced today – will see big Scottish names, many with a close connection to the region, get the marquee crowds jumping, singing and dancing all weekend long.
Spean Bridge native Gary Innes’ own mighty seven-piece outfit Mànran are set to headline, showcasing their mix of high-energy Celtic and pop-folk influences. The band have played to thousands around the world, with their last two singles hitting the airwaves on BBC Radio 2.
West Coast legends Trail West will will make their debut at the festival in 2025. Photograph: Amanda MacEachen.
West Coast legends Trail West, which include Ardnamurchan’s own Alan Nairn, will delight Lochaber crowds when they play the festival for the first time. The explosive six-piece are celebrating 15 years at the heart of the Scottish traditional music scene.
More than three decades on from her appearance at the original Lochaber Live where she took to the stage both as a soloist and with folk lumineers Capercaillie, legendary Scottish vocalist Karen Matheson will also perform.
The festival will also be a trip down memory lane for the acclaimed Irish folk artist Cara Dillon who first played the festival as a teen. Since then she has risen to become one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish song anywhere in the world. She’s won countless awards and accolades including Album Of The Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and Tatler’s Woman Of The Year in Music.
One of the UK’s most innovative and celebrated fusion groups, the Peatbog Faeries also join the bill. Hailing from the Isle of Skye, the group are renowned for their inventive blend of traditional jigs and reels with contemporary dance music, drawing inspiration from jazz, pop and techno.
Lochaber Live will be somewhat of a hometown show for one of Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts, Breabach; while the incredible fiddle-led four-piece FARA will journey from Orkney to Fort William as they celebrate their 10th anniversary.
The Irish-English folk sensation that is Flook completes the first wave of acts announced for what is a sensational bill for the second outing of this restored weekend event.
Lochaber Live will return to Fort William on Friday September 12 to Sunday September 14 2025.
The event, which has no age restrictions, spans Friday and Saturday night ticketed events and a free family day on Sunday, all offering up a mix of music, culture, craic and community spirit. Weekend tickets are on sale now and day tickets go on sale 9am, Friday 28 February.
Sunday’s family day will include a huge ceilidh and across the weekend festival-goers of all generations will also be able to enjoy the best Highland food and drink. More acts including a raft of local and emerging talent will be announced in the coming months and due to popular demand, limited seating will also be available at this year’s event.
Lochaber Live organiser, broadcaster and musician Gary Innes, said: “Bringing Lochaber Live back to the region last year was an incredibly proud moment in my career and a stand-out gig as a musician. The event really reflected the health and vibrancy of Scotland’s contemporary traditional music scene and the best of the Highlands and we’re looking to replicate that this September.
“That sense of pride in my home region is shared by so many on the bill and I’m excited to reveal such an incredible list of artists who will join us to round off the 2025 summer festival season with what is sure to be an unforgettable weekend.”
Karen Matheson said: “I have such fond memories of the original Lochaber Live, so it will be incredibly special to take to the stage of this wonderfully restored event. So much has happened over the last 30 years across Scotland’s cultural landscape – throughout that time audiences and artists’ unmatched love for Highland music and emotional storytelling through song remains. Traditional music and our language continue to capture imaginations and win hearts the world over and I look forward to doing just that for the Lochaber Live audience once again.”
Lochaber Live will take place at An Aird in Fort William from 14 – 16 September 2025. Weekend tickets are on sale now and day tickets go on sale 9am, Friday 28 February. Visit www.lochaberlive.com/.
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