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Strathspè Away – a weekend of Scottish music and dance in Kingussie

Strathspè Away  is an annual dance weekend held in the heart of the spectacular Cairngorms area, in the village of Kingussie. This year’s event takes place between 7 and 9 November. It’s a weekend of dance, song and highland hospitality – two days of ceilidhs, dance classes and concerts for all ages.

The evening ceilidhs feature some of Scotland’s top traditional musicians – including the Bella MacNab Ceilidh Band who will be opening the Festival on the evening of Friday 7 November. They include a wide range of dances in their programme, almost all Scottish and some of which have not been performed on the ordinary dance floor for 200 years – but don’t worry, caller Dave Francis with clear and simple instructions will keep all dancers right!

From hip hop to flamenco, and of course ceilidh dancing, there’s a also a full timetable of music/dance/gaelic speaking classes running on the Saturday and Sunday, taught by tutors from all over the UK, including Jim Barry from Ireland, Maeve MacKinnon from Barra, Angus Nicolson from Skye and Mairi Campbell, John Sikorski & Sarah Hoy from the ‘Bellas’ .

This is the sixth year the event has been held, and it’s firmly established itself as a unique event in the Scottish dance calendar. This year looks set to be another great success, with the fiddle/ dance group, The Bella MacNab Ceilidh Band opening the Festival. Tutors are making their way from all over the UK and overseas. Some of those appearing are:

There’s plenty of opportunity for expert and novice country dancers alike, with ceilidhs, classes and concerts throughout the weekend. The aim is to attract individuals and families with the emphasis on participation.

Brief outline programme below

Strathspè Away, Kingussie 7-9 November

Friday 7 November
8.00 - midnight THE BELLA MACNAB CEILIDH BAND, Ceilidh Dance, Badenoch Centre

Saturday 8 November
930 – 5.00pm – Dance & Music Classes including sessions on:
Ceilidh Dancing
Flamenco
Hip-Hop
Contemporary Traditional
Gaelic language
Irish Set Dancing
Puirt-a-Beul
Quadrilles
Step Dancing
Tin Whistle (tin whistle in key of D required for class)

5.00 - 8.00 pm Festival @ Five, session at the Silverfjord Hotel
8.00 - 11.00 pm DANNSA'S CEILIDH BAND

Saturday 8/Sunday 9 November
Art Exhibition - Victoria Caine & Sue Myles
Mo mhàthair, mo nighean: Òrain tro ar sùilean     (My mother, my daughter: the songs through our eyes)
The pieces in the exhibition are inspired by the music and words of the prescribed songs for this year’s Royal National Mod. 

Sunday 9 November
1.45pm – Guest peformer – To be announced