Category: Haal 2021

Demand High As Haal Returns

Folk at the Salmon Bothy are gearing up for a busy weekend from 1-3 October as the 11th Haal traditional music festival makes a much-welcomed return to Portsoy, with demand for tickets already high.
Weekend tickets for the event are now sold out, and the Saturday night concert featuring Peggy Seeger is also at capacity. However, a limited number of tickets are still available for the Friday night Jimmy MacBeath Memorial Concert featuring Archie Fisher and the Sunday night farewell concert with Folk at the Salmon Bothy and special guests.

There is also a full programme of additional sessions taking place over the weekend, including a number of local bands and musicians performing at the Shore Inn and Portsoy Boatshed by the Old Harbour on Friday and Saturday evenings, and a number of free open sessions available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. A range of workshops are also planned, led by experts in their fields. Arthur Coates and Martin MacDonald will lead a fiddle and guitar accompaniment, and a whistle session with Dick Elliott will help enthusiasts to hit the right note.

Budding songwriters can share and discuss their works in a session led by Brian o’hEadhra, while Fionnag NicChoinnich leads Scots song with a hint of Gaelic. Visitors can also enjoy a range of stories recounted by story enthusiast Erin Farley.

Not to be missed is an exhibition of weaving, mixed with Doric songs and poetry by Dundee University graduate, Kate Wilson from Inverurie. The display needs to be seen to appreciate the skills and talent required to produce such wonderful works. A music jumble being held in the town’s Scout Hut at Loch Soy on the Sunday from 12noon to 2.30pm offers an opportunity to grab a musical bargain. Visitors are invited to bring along instruments, books and other musical paraphernalia to sell on the day.

Organiser Bob Philips comments, “It’s great to see the enthusiasm for the return of the Haal, and we can’t wait to get together with friends old and new to enjoy the weekend. We are urging anyone who wants to join us to secure tickets quickly, though there may be last minute tickets available in small numbers. Even if visitors are unable to obtain a ticket, there will be a great atmosphere across the town over the weekend, so come along and to enjoy it over fish and chips or an ice cream by the harbourside!”

Sponsored by Kenway Tyres, Hydrasun and supported by a host of local businesses, the three-day festival is taking place after being rescheduled from June to October this year due to earlier Covid restrictions.

Information on the 11th Haal and all of the other Folk at the Salmon Bothy events is available at www.bothyfolk.org or on the Folk at the Salmon Bothy Facebook page. Enquiries can also be made to Bob Philips by email at bobphilips25@live.co.uk, or by telephone, 07968872217.

Download your copy of the programme here

Portsoy Folk Festival A3 Poster 1UP 2021Download
Portsoy-Folk-Festival-A3-Poster-1UP-2021

Haal Return Brings Music To The Ears

Saturday night (Peggy Seeger) now sold out. Still some tickets left for Archie Fisher on Friday night

The 11th Haal is set to take place from 1-3 October, with organisers Folk at the Salmon Bothy currently working hard to ensure a safe event offering a full and exciting programme.

The three-day festival, which was rescheduled from June to October this year due to Covid restrictions, will bring together musicians and performers from across the country to deliver performances, sessions and workshops. 

Renowned folk musicians, Archie Fisher and Peggy Seeger will headline the event, supported by a host of fine performers including Aberdeenshire based Arthur Coates, and the award winning O’hEadrha family from Inverness. Also in concert will be stalwarts of the Scottish traditional music scene, Arthur Watson and Chris Miles.

A new addition this year will be an exhibition of weaving, mixed with Doric songs and poetry by Dundee University graduate, Kate Wilson from Inverurie.  The display needs to be seen to appreciate the skills and talent required to produce such wonderful works.

Peggy Seeger

There will also be many opportunities to perform songs, tunes and tell a story or two throughout the weekend, one of the elements that makes the festival so popular.

Tickets for the Haal are already selling fast, and it may be with safety in mind that numbers are restricted.  Audiences are therefore urged to consider booking tickets in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.

During the lockdown periods, regulars and guests of Folk at the Salmon Bothy produced monthly shows which were shown on the club’s social media platforms.  Successful outdoor sessions were then hosted at Loch Soy during the summer months as Covid restrictions further eased.

The club will now return to its regular monthly Friday night indoor live sessions, with events scheduled for 17 September, 15 October, 19 November and 17 December, regulations permitting.  These regular events will be held at the Scout Hut at Loch Soy until further notice. 

Information on the Haal and all of the other Folk at the Salmon Bothy events is available at www.bothyfolk.org or on the Folk at the Salmon Bothy Facebook page.  Enquiries can also be made to Bob Philips by email at bobphilips25@live.co.uk, or by telephone, 07968872217.

Coming up – Dates for your diary

AGM – Monday 6th Sept
Club AGM will be held in Station Hotel, Monday 6th September at 1930.
Items for agenda to Bob please by 1/9.

The 11th Haal
Things are looking quite positive for The 11th HAAL. However, our main concert venue ( Town Hall) has still to be confirmed. Our back up is the newly refurbished church hall. If this has to be used, audience numbers will have to be considerably reduced. Advance sales of weekend tickets are very good, so if you wish to attend any concert etc, please book your tickets now, as we may have to close sales soon.

Club night – Friday 17th September
Our regular meetings of FATB will be back to the Salmon Bothy on 3rd Friday of Month, (Friday 17th Sept) Usual entry fees etc, (unless changed at AGM.)

See you all soon I hope.
Bob (Chair FASB)

11th Haal – The programme is out

The 11th Haal will be held on 1st, 2nd and 3rd October.

Headliners
Friday night – Archie Fisher,
Saturday night – Peggy Seeger with her son Calum MacColl

The programme is now available – see below
Numbers may be restricted due to current conditions
Tickets from bobphilips25@live.co.uk
Phone 07968872217

Click below to download the 2021 11th Haal Programme

Portsoy Folk Festival A3 Poster 1UP 2021Download
Portsoy-Folk-Festival-A3-Poster-1UP-2021

The 11th Haal – 1st – 3rd October 2021

The 11th HAAL.

Our 2021 11th Haal Festival is now scheduled to be run on the weekend of 1/2/3 October 2021, when we hope folk will be able to gather again in safety. Most guests previously scheduled for the 2020 event have signed up again for the Oct event.

F@TSB – Future dates and events

Coming up at Folk at the Salmon Bothy

  • Friday 21st May – MC Doug Hay – extended set from Tich Frier.
  • Saturday 1st June (tbc) – a very special show by Bob Sharp – Glasgow Clubs and Characters, as remembered by Bob. 
  • Friday 18th June – a Favourites Show – Regular MCS pick their favourite videos.
  • July and August gatherings to be outdoors. Venue to be confirmed.
  • Sept 1st – AGM. Details to follow. Agenda items to Bob please.
  • 1/2/3 – October – 11th HAAL – Sponsors still needed please. Times are tough.