Speyfest 2018.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth. Image No.041760
CROWDS from near and far packed a Moray village for the 23rd annual celebration of traditional and contemporary Celtic music.
Speyfest 2018 has been hailed as the biggest and best yet by organisers.
Some of the hottest names in the scene descended on Fochabers for the international festival, which played out at the weekend.
A powerful line-up included the CC Smugglers, Skerryvore, Adam Holmes and the Embers, Bruce Coughlan from Tiller’s Folly, and Rura – featuring Cullen’s own Jack Smedley.
Speyfest chairman James Alexander said: “There’s been a lot of positive feedback already and it seems that the choice of bands for this year’s Speyfest has proved very popular.
“The newer ideas we’ve introduced into Speyfest over the last two or three years have been enduringly popular and our el:gin tasting sessions went very well.
“Having other attractions as well as the music gives people options. It’s all very encouraging for next year.”
Mr Alexander was among those who took to the stage as part of the James Alexander and Friends ensemble.
It featured former Buckie man and Scottish National Orchestra musician Dougie Lawrence, Charlie McKerron from Capercaillie and Colin McKay, also from Buckie, who played a number of tracks from his 2013 album Do What You Love.
Mr Alexander added: “It was all very informal. I jotted down a few songs before we went on stage and we just went out and did it.
“I think it went well – we got a standing ovation, so it can’t have been that bad!”
Other local talent, including the Milne’s High School fiddlers, also featured.
Taking the Young Entertainer of the Year award was local fiddling trio Abbie Nye, Eilidh Wiles and Briony Stewart. Second was Milne’s High singer Josh Craik and third was tuba player Sophie Smart.
Away from the performance areas, there was plenty to do around the tented village, including the ever popular craft and food fair with taster sessions and an ecumenical Celtic Kirk service.
Speyfest had its very own chieftain this year in Jim Smith, who originally hails from Moray but now lives in Canada.
Mr Smith said: “It’s been a great experience, a lot of fun. I haven’t been to Speyfest for 10 years but I’ll be making sure it won’t be so long before I’m back the next time.”