Joe Aitken, a leading exponent of the North-East bothy style, is one of the most popular singers at events throughout Scotland, not forgetting his local Kirriemuir Festival. A former haulage contractor and one-time berry farmer, he can be heard on many recordings documenting Scottish songs. A four-time winner of the Champion of Champions Bothy Ballad Competition in Elgin, he was voted the ‘Scots Singer of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2010.

Natalie Chalmers from Fraserburgh, is a young Scots singer, who also enjoys reciting and storytelling in Doric at concerts and festivals around Scotland. Having won several prizes at junior and senior level, Natalie has qualified for the 2012 Bothy Ballad ‘Champion of Champions’ at Elgin. She has studied at the National Centre of Excellence at Plockton and her influences range wide – from Geordie Murison and Elizabeth Stewart to the Clash and Nirvana.

Jock Duncan, born in 1925 at Gelliebrae, by New Deer, is a national treasure. As a singer of the muckle sangs and bothy ballads of his native Aberdeenshire, Jock is a tradition bearer of great authority.  He comes from a highly musical family and in his youth the celebrated John Strachan was a regular visitor at their home. His knowledge of local tradition, history and characters is exceptional. In 2006 Jock was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Jock joins us for Sunday only.

Sarah Jane Gibbon is a native of Orkney.  She began learning songs from her mother at a very young age and over the years has performed with her mother and sister, as a solo artist, as a member of the Song Shop Trio, and the Song Shop Choir. She recently co-led the Big Orkney Song Project which collected, investigated, revived, and taught Orkney songs within the local community.  She continues to maintain her island heritage by writing contemporary folk songs.

Len Graham from County Antrim, is one of Ireland’s leading traditional singers, who learnt his craft in the company of older singers such as Eddie Butcher and Joe Holmes. His achievements have been recognised by numerous awards including the first TG4 National Music Award for ‘Traditional Singer of the Year’ in 2002 and the 2011 CCÉ Bardic Award at the All-Ireland Fleadh. He has performed at many international festivals and in 2010 his book about the songs, music, and traditions of Joe Holmes was published.

Nell Ní Chróinín is a sean-nós singer who comes from the Múscraí Gaeltacht, the Irish speaking area of West Cork, where there is a very strong song tradition. She began singing at the age of 11 and has been very successful over the years, including winning several medals and singing titles at prestigious competitions.  At present she is teaching in Gaeilscoil Osraí in Kilkenny, where she is encouraging the youth to take part in the tradition

Kate Taylor from nearby Garlogie lives within ‘walking distance’, which makes her the most local guest this year. She started singing at ceilidhs when her husband, Jim, was compering. She is a keen supporter of the TMSA and has competed at many festivals, winning the traditional singing on several occasions. She is passionate about singing and has been inspired by Jeannie Robertson, Lizzie Higgins, Jane Turriff, and Elizabeth Stewart, as well as singers on the current circuit.

Mike Tickell learnt his songs from the few remaining singers of his area in the North Tyne Valley and won many Border Ballad competitions in his youth. Brought up on a hill farm, both his father and grandfather were singers and musicians. He worked for the Forestry Commission before joining the Horse Guards, and subsequently in education, while studying at university. In 1995 he released his solo CD, Warksburn, and has recorded a radio series on Border Ballads.

Jeff Wesley, a retired dairy farmer from Whittlebury in Northamptonshire, has been singing all his life, around the farm while milking or on a tractor. The songs were anything that took his fancy, with most collected from local singers. He didn’t sing in public until he was about forty. A folk club opened in the village, but even then it was about seven years before he attempted singing on his own. He now often sings at festivals and clubs around the country.

Chris Wright comes from Dundee and has been singing songs from the Scots tradition since his teens. He now works for the landmark Kist o Riches project, cataloguing the Scots songs recorded by the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh, and has himself begun collecting songs from his native area. Chris recently founded the World’s Room traditional singing club in Edinburgh, and often sings in a duo with Lucy Pringle.

The festival is organised jointly by:

• Tracey Walker (Anne’s daughter) and Eric Walker
• Jim Taylor (Tom’s nephew), and Scott Gardiner on behalf of Cullerlie Farm Park
• Ian and Norma Russell on behalf of:
  The Elphinstone Institute
  University of Aberdeen
  MacRobert Building
  King’s College
  Aberdeen
  AB24 5UA
  Tel: 01224 272996     
  Fax: 01224 272728
  Email: elphinstone@abdn.ac.uk

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Breedon Aggregates
• Coupers (Fish Processors) of Aberdeen
• Davidson & Murison Ltd
• The Friends of the Elphinstone Institute
• The Elgin Rotary Club