The 16th Haal
A festival of music, song and storytelling over the first weekend in June
in and around the town of Portsoy
One of Scotland’s most celebrated folk singer-songwriters and recently named Musician of the Year, Siobhan Miller returns to Portsoy with an intimate trio concert, accompanied by guitar and fiddle.
Captivating audiences with their fabulous harmonies and amusing banter since the year 2001, Kimber’s Men have performed at folk and shanty festivals throughout the length and breadth of the UK from Portsoy in the north to Jersey in the south and from Liverpool to Harwich in the west and east.
Folk singer/guitarist/songwriter Eileen Ordish has been playing folk clubs and open mics in Adelaide since the 70s.
We look forward to hearing her share her knowledge of the history of the folk song.
My name is Thomas McCarthy and I come from Birr in County Offaly in Ireland. My family are the McCarthys who settled there generations ago. I sing wherever I’m invited, at clubs, festivals, people’s houses, weddings, funerals, christenings, at home, down the road and over the sea.
Natalie Chalmers is a celebrated Scottish folk singer, storyteller, and radio host from Fraserburgh, known for her powerful voice in Traditional and Bothy Ballads. Natalie has won many awards including Scots Performer of the Year (2023) and has performed at major festivals such as Portsoy and Glastonbury.
A welcome message from our Chairman, Bob Philips
Welcome to our 16th HAAL of songs, tunes, stories poetry and workshops.
I am delighted to be in a position to welcome you all to our small, but well formed and friendly Town, for our 16th Haal.
It’s great to see so many well kent faces joining us again to enjoy the concerts, sing arounds and workshops. It is also great to see a lot of new folk, many of them young which is great to keep things fresh and our traditions alive. There have been very few changes from the tried and tested format that has proved so popular. We aim to bring the cream of Folk performers from Scotland, England, Ireland and further afield.
This year we had hoped to welcome Adelaide resident Eileen Ordish and her daughter Colette. Eileen joined us online during our virtual Folk Clubs during Covid Lockdown. Her amazing voice captured many a heart. However, unfortunately, due to the conflict in the Middle East, her travel arrangements have been disrupted and she is unable to attend. We hope to welcome her next year instead.
Margaret Bennett and Students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will headline the Friday evening concert. Natalie Chalmers, a nominee for Scots Singer of the Year at Trad Awards, flute player and composer Malcolm Reavell and Thomas McCarthy, an award winning Irish singer, will also take to the stage. The Saturday concert will be headlined by the superb Siobhan Miller, Scots Trad Music Awards Musician of the Year 2025, and no stranger to Portsoy audiences.
A capella shanty group Kimber’s Men will be raising the rafters and the Shore Inn roof, with some rousing shanties that will surely encourage the audience to join in. On Sunday afternoon A Wheen o’ Wimmin, five celebrated Scots singers and stalwarts of the folk scene, will be performing.
The structure as always ensures that attendees have loads of opportunities to sing, play or tell a tale or two. Of course this award winning international line up doesn’t come cheap, however the continued generous support from ou Sponsors and Advertisers ensure we are able to provide top class acts to Portsoy whilst allowing us to keep ticket prices manageable. A sincere Thank You to one and all. Please try to support these businesses listed below.
Finally. Enjoy meeting old pals, making new pals, singing and playing your hearts out.
Cheers,
Bob.
Enquiries and ticket requests to
Bob Philips bobportsoy@gmail.com
or 07968 872 217
Download a copy of the
Fringe programme
We would love to hear from you! Whether you have questions or feedback, reaching out is easy.
The Salmon Bothy Links Rd, Portsoy, Banff AB45 2SS
Drop us a line anytime with your queries.
