Welcome to Folk at the Salmon Bothy
Join us to explore the Heart and Soul of NE Scotland's local music scene with Folk at the Salmon Bothy
At Folk at the Salmon Bothy, we celebrate the rich history of folk and traditional music. Our mission is to create a warm and welcoming space where artists and audiences connect through the power of song. Join us as we host an array of live performances that reflect our love for music, bringing together community and culture in every note.
Live performance
Our venue is dedicated to hosting live folk music events, providing a platform for emerging artists and established musicians alike. Discover the stories behind the music and the artists who bring it to life.
Folk club
Our club meets on the third Friday of every month with floor spots available for members and visitors alike. Why not join us to experience live music and connect with fellow folk enthusiasts.
Regular Events
These are a selection of the regular activities we organise or support. We'd love to see you there!
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Third Friday of the month
Monthly Club Night
Our club meets regularly every Third Friday of the month upstairs at the Slmon Bothy in Portsoy. We charge a modest entry fee of £5. Come along and sing, play or just listen. There are some fantastic performances and you never know who might pop in to suprise us!
Third Friday of the month
Monthly Club Night
We provide a welcoming atmosphere and a sympathetic audience. On most club nights you will find a very comprehensive sound system (PA) provided by our very own sound engineer Graham. It’s not compulsory to use it however. Our club night is set out “in the round” rather than “end on” so it’s really intimate and friendly.
Event Date & Time
Neil & Alyson
From time to time we will invite a local guest artist or club member to perform a set. This usually takes up around half of the evening leaving the remaining time for floor performers who will generally get 2 songs/tunes each.
Event Date & Time
Bob Sharp
Our local performers are regulars at our club and at other clubs local to the NE of Scotland. Its a great opportunity to perform in a really friendly venue with a professional PA and an appreciative audience.
First Weekend in June
The Haal Festivals
Join us for our annual Festival, The Haal, where seasoned musicians and new talents showcase their skills. Held in and around Portsoy on the First Weekend of June every year, this is a true annual celebration of community and culture not to be missed.
Early February
Bothy Ballads & Burns
We celebrate the Bard every February with a fantastic mix of Burns poetry and song combined with some of the finest examples of the Bothy Ballads tradition of NE Scotland. A traditional Scottish event with a distinctly Doric flavour.
End June - Early July
Portsoy Traditional Boats Festival
This important event is held in Portsoy every summer. Music plays a central role and FatSB host performers from our own club and from all over NE Scotland in our performance area. The Boats festival dates move to accommodate the tides and it is not to be confused with our own Haal Festival which takes place at the beginning of June.
Join Our Folk Family!
Artist Showcase
Meet some of Our Featured Artists
Get to know some of the talented artists performing at Folk at the Salmon Bothy.
Each brings a unique sound and story to our stage.
Allan Taylor
For more than fifty years Allan Taylor has travelled the world performing at festivals, concert halls and clubs. He is considered to be one of the foremost singer-songwriters and guitarists in his genre, with more than one hundred recorded versions of his songs by Artists in ten different languages. One song in particular, “It’s good to see you” was a hit in many countries, and to date, there are over 100 cover versions of this song.
Allan has appeared at Folk at the Salmon Bothy a number of times. Most recently at the 14th Haal in 2024 where he played to a full house.
Tommy Sands
Tommy Sands, Co Down’s singer, songwriter and social activist has achieved something akin to legendary status in his own lifetime.
From the pioneering days with the highly influential Sands Family, bringing Irish Music from New York’s Carnegie Hall to Moscow’s Olympic Stadium, he has developed into one of the most powerful songwriters and enchanting solo performers in Ireland today.
His songs, like There were Roses, and Daughters and Sons, which have been recorded by Joan Baez, Kathy Matthea, Dolores Keane, Sean Keane, Frank Patterson, Dick Gaughan, The Dubliners and many others have been translated into many languages and are currently included in the English language syllabus in German secondary schools.
Tommy has performed at Folk at the Salmon Bothy several times. Most recently appearing solo at the Bothy in March 23 and again with The Sands Family at the 13th Haal, (June 2023).
Ralph McTell
One of the great storytellers, Ralph McTell, is now celebrating more than 50 years on the road. Known for his virtuoso guitar style, he is primarily a prolific and gifted songwriter. With a style that invites you into a unique world, he weaves a narrative that is both significant and poignant.
Ralph made his debut in 1968 with the album ‘Eight Frames a Second’ and in 1974 the release of ‘Streets of London’ earned him an Ivor Novello Award.
In 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Ralph appeared at Folk at the Salmon Bothy in June 2019 when he was our headline act for the 10th Haal Festival.
What Our Members Say
Hear from our community and discover why they love us!
Reach Out Anytime
Get In Touch
We’re here to help! Whether you have questions, want to book a performance, or just want to chat about folk music, feel free to reach out to us.