Tuesday 26th August 2014
There are only 10 days to go before one of the most successful arts events in the Highlands reaches a significant milestone.
Blas 2014 is marking the festival’s tenth anniversary and already the Wick show by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers is sold out. But tickets are still available for most of the other events.
This year’s international event is spread across the Highlands and Argyll at 50 separate venues and will welcome overseas artistes such as Cherish the Ladies and Cape Breton fiddle and piano do. Howie MacDonald (ex-Rankin Family) and Marilyn Mackinnon.
The festival also features the cream of Highland culture and this year’s historic event starts on Friday 5 September with the premiere of a special commission “Mìorbhail nam Beann” by Lochaber musician Iain McFarlane based on Duncan Ban MacIntyre’s 18th century poem “Moladh Beinn Dòbhrain”, one of Gaelic’s greatest poems. The show will tour a number of venues, including Taynuilt in Argyll.
Other artistes appearing include Dougie MacLean, Mànran, Macanta, Marloch, Trail West, Monach Isle Cèilidh Band, Gaelic singers including Alasdair Whyte, Christine Primrose, Ellen MacDonald and Linda Macleod and young people from the Fèisean across the Highlands and Argyll.
Festival director Donna Macrae said: “Things are shaping up for a good festival and we are looking forward to welcoming audience members from across Scotland and overseas to Blas. In addition to great music, this year we are featuring Highland food an drink at events so festival-goers will get a taste, not just of our wonderful culture, but our first class produce.”
Further information on Blas 2014, including the full programme, is available here.
