HEBRIDEAN CELTIC FESTIVAL WEEK at AN LANNTAIR
A special programme of events to celebrate An Lanntair’s 40th anniversary year, highlighting some of our most loved music projects. Also fringe workshops will take place as part of the celebrations, offering audiences more ways to engage with the creative spirit of the festival.
Our grateful thanks to all at An Lanntair for all their support of the festival.
These concerts and workshops are in addition to the arena programme and therefore if you wish to attend you will need a separate ticket to enjoy them.
All tickets for these events are sold by An Lanntair. Links below.
BETWEEN ISLANDS
WEDNESDAY 16th July 19:30pm:
From its humble beginnings as an inter-island songwriting initiative, the Between Islands project has grown steadily with each airing, bringing together an ever-growing number of musicians from across the Western and Northern Isles in collaboration.
This year sees Hebridean artists Kathleen Macinnes, Alasdair White and Willie Campbell join forces with Shetland’s Ross Couper, Jenny Keldie and Arthur Nicolson in what promises to be yet another unique must-see line up.
“Between Islands is a glorious coming together of some of the finest contemporary voices and musicians from Scotland’s farthest reaches” Folking
Tickets £22.50 (ticket price includes admission to cèilidh 10.30pm - 1am)
Wednesday Cèilidh only - £5
DÀ FHICHEAD 
THURSDAY 17th JULY 19:30pm:
As An Lanntair’s 40th Anniversary year began we were delighted to be asked to mark the occasion by producing a show for the Celtic Connections festival.
Having wowed the Glasgow crowd with a programme of Gaelic songs and melodies from Lewis, we now are equally delighted to present Dà Fhichead to our home audience.
Those taking part are Calum Alex Macmillan, Ceitlin Lilidh, Norrie Maciver, Jane Hepburn Macmillan and Andy Yearley.
Tickets £22.50
Thursday Cèilidh £8 (11pm to 2am) should be purchased separately.
HEBRIDEAN WOMEN
FRIDAY 18TH JULY 19:30pm
Showcasing the wealth of traditional female singers from the Hebrides, Hebridean Women was the first musical event to take place in our current premises in 2005, making it an ideal choice as part of our anniversary celebrations.
With each outing providing singers of all generations the opportunity to perform together – many of them for the first time ever - this year’s group comprises Anna Murray, Ceitlin Lilidh, Mischa Macpherson, Iona Mairead and Isobel Ann Martin, accompanied by pianist Andy Yearly. Not to be missed!
“The musical equivalent of seeing the northern lights.” Hebrides Writer
Tickets £22.50
Friday Club tickets £8 (11pm to 2am) should be purchased separately.
METAGAMA: AN ATLANTIC ODYSSEY 
SATURDAY 19th JULY 19:30pm:
On 21st April 1923 SS Metagama left Stornoway with over 300 young islanders on board, bound for Canada. Within a year nearly 1500 emigrants would leave the Outer Hebrides, but coming on the back of WWI and the Iolaire disaster, this mass emigration would have a devastating impact on the islands. As a result, these events retain a profoundly important place in folk memory to this day.
This multi-artform show was premiered in An Lanntair before touring throughout Scotland.
Devised by musician Liza Mullholland and writer Donald S Murray, they will be joined by actor and writer Dolina MacLennan, Gaelic singer and piper Calum Alex Macmillan, fiddler Charlie Mackerron, singer-songwriter Willie Campbell, and cellist Christine Hanson.
Tickets £22.50
Saturday Club tickets £8 (11pm to 1.45am) Should be purchased separately.
Dòtaman: Hat making workshop for HebCelt
THURSDAY 10TH JULY
Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
An Lanntair education room
Admission: adults £8 children £5
BOOK HERE
Make a wild and wonderful hat to wear to Donnie Dòtaman’s set at HebCelt.
https://www.hebceltfest.com/artist/donnie-dotaman
Gaelic TV programme Dòtaman (Gaelic for “spinning top”) began in 1985 starring Donnie Macleod, formerly of Na h-Òganaich. Donnie was primarily the singer across the many series of the programme, and became known for wearing different silly hats relevant to his songs. Donnie was often seen wearing a default seagull hat when the theme didn’t lend itself to be illustrated with a hat. Many of the hats were designed and constructed by costume designer Kirsty Colam. An Lanntair held an entertaining and colourful exhibition of Donnie Dotaman hats in the old An Lanntair gallery in Stornoway Town Hall in 1990.
An Lanntair and the Dòtaman programme share our 40th birthday in 2025, and this workshop is part of An Lanntair’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
Suitable for all ages. Under 8s should be accompanied by an adult.
HEBCELT MUSIC WORKSHOPS at AN LANNTAIR
THURSDAY 17TH JULY
Tàlaidhean with Ceitlin Lilidh
Time: 11am – 12pm
Community Room, An Lanntair
Admission: £8 / £6
BOOK HERE
Join Ceitlin Lilidh (Sian) for Tàlaidhean, a workshop celebrating the beauty of traditional Gaelic lullabies from the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Listen, learn, and sing in a friendly and open environment.
Ceitlin Lilidh is a Scottish Gaelic singer brought up in Ness on the Isle of Lewis. She is a member of Sian and features on Niteworks’ notable single Air Fàir an Là. Her vocals also star on Netflix’s Outlaw King, and Skipinnish’s album The Seventh Wave. As a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and winner of the Mòd Traditional Gold Medal, Ceitlin has a wealth of experience performing all over the world as an ambassador for Gaelic song.
THURSDAY 17TH JULY
Hebridean Tunes for Fiddle with Alasdair White
Time: 2pm – 3.15pm
Community Room, An Lanntair
Admission: £8 / £6
BOOK HERE
This workshop offers a focus on Hebridean tunes for the fiddle, with particular attention to the stylistic features that give the music its distinctive character. Drawing on the area’s strong piping and Gaelic singing traditions, we’ll explore how to play tunes with phrasing, bowing, and ornamentation that reflect the island’s musical tradition. The aim is to give you some tools to bring a sense of place and authenticity to your playing which can also be applied to other fiddle styles. Teaching will be primarily by ear, but sheet music and supporting materials will be provided after the class.
Level: Upper Intermediate and Advanced
Bring: Your instrument, a recording device
Fiddler Alasdair White is widely regarded as one of the leading exponents of Scottish music touring, teaching and performing today on both sides of the Atlantic. His deep rooted yet wide-ranging musicality reflects his Isle of Lewis birthplace, current New York City home, and over 20 years globe-trotting with some of the best known names in Scottish, Irish, and Breton music.
FRIDAY 18TH JULY 
Songwriting as self-expression with Liza Mulholland
Time: 11am - 12pm
Community Room, An Lanntair
Admission: £8 / £6
BOOK HERE
Come and join Liza Mulholland, one of the songwriters and musicians on the Metagama: An Atlantic Odyssey show, for a songwriting session! If you play guitar or similar, feel free to bring it, but ability to play an instrument is not essential. Keyboard is provided. Age 12 to 18.
Liza Mulholland, musician, singer-songwriter and composer, is from Inverness but with Isle of Lewis family background has always had strong connections to the island. She has composed songs and instrumental music for many diverse projects, including Metagama: An Atlantic Odyssey, has been commissed to compose for film, teaches within fèisean, as well as performing and recording with numerous artistes in folk, trad, country, Americana and indie genres.
FRIDAY 18TH JULY
Exploring String Ensemble Magic with Christine Hanson and Charlie McKerron
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Community Room, An Lanntair
Admission: £8 / £6
BOOK HERE
Join Christine Hanson (cello) & Charlie McKerron (fiddle) for a dynamic workshop focused on exciting new tunes for cello and fiddle. This session is designed for cellists with at least one year of experience on their instrument, and for fiddlers at an intermediate level. While less experienced players are welcome to attend, please note that the workshop will be geared towards these playing levels.
In this lively session, we will:
- Learn how to build a supportive accompaniment quickly and confidently
- Explore harmonic and rhythmic ideas to create rich textures together
- Work on two new tunes as our foundation for accompaniment
This workshop is all about developing practical ensemble skills—no basic theory drills, just the real tools to help you create a great accompaniment in a short amount of time.
Come join us during a vibrant weekend of music, creativity, and connection with fellow players!
Music has taken Christine Hanson from touring Canada’s High Arctic with a tango trio, to playing traditional music in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. While classically trained, In her roles as a cellist, composer and sound designer, Christine is eclectic in her musical explorations. Her experience included compositional commissions, arranging, studio, theatre, television, film composition, and performing as an ensemble musician with a variety of groups that play classical, folk, pop-jazz, and experimental music. Hanson’s original compositions are featured in her compelling multi-media production “The Cremation of Sam McGee”- taking the audience in tandem across the snowy landscape on a magical journey! She is also an experienced instructor, teaching professional master classes, and workshops on both sides of the Atlantic. Christine won CBC’s Galaxie Award for Best New Artist at Canada’s JUNOfest 2006.
Recently described as a “Wonderful, high octane fiddle player and composer”, Charlie Mckerron has now clocked up 40 years on the road as a professional musician. From winning the Daily Record Golden Fiddle award in the early 1980’s, Charlie went on to join Gaelic supergroup Capercaillie in 1985. They have achieved over 1 million album sales to date, as the band goes beyond it’s 41st year. In 2005 Charlie won the first ever “Composer of the Year” in the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. His compositions are widely performed and recorded throughout the traditional scene and can be heard regularly at pub sessions. Charlie has written music for film and documentary and contributed to the soundtrack for the Hollywood Blockbuster “Rob Roy”. He received 2 Royal Television Society Awards for co-writing the music for the 6 part BBC Scotland drama series “Gruth is Uachdar” (Crowdie and Cream). He has more recently composed the soundtrack for Scottish film “Zip n’ Zoo” and “Four Men and a Malt”. Charlie has appeared regularly on screen and television throughout his career with Capercaillie and Session A9; and as a soloist with highlights being “Rob Roy”; “Zip n’ Zoo”; BBC Scotland’s “The Songs of the 45”; and an appearance on the first series of “Transatlantic Sessions”. As well as touring with Session A9 and Capercaillie , He has joined “Celtic Fiddle Festival” and plays with Mckerron Brechin and O’Headhra. Most recently he has been out on the road with “Charlie Mckerron and Friends” featuring Ross Ainsle, Tim Edey and Marc Clement.
FRIDAY 18TH JULY 
Immigration Songs: Gaelic song workshop with Calum Alex Macmillan
Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Community Room, An Lanntair
Admission: £8 / £6
BOOK HERE
In advance of ‘Metagama: An Atlantic Odyssey’ join Lewis talent Calum Alex Macmillan for an hour-long workshop to learn some Gaelic songs about immigration. Open to all ages and levels of Gaelic fluency. Booking essential.
Calum Alex Macmillan was born and brought up in the Isle of Lewis, surrounded by traditional music and Gaelic song from a young age. He has gone to become one of Scotland’s leading Gaelic singers. He is one of the youngest ever winners of the Mod Gold Medal, adding the traditional Gold medal and the traditional prize from the Pan Celtic festival to this. As well as maintaining a successful career as solo singer and piper, Calum Alex was part of the Gaelic supergroup ‘Dàimh’ between 2006 and 2012 recording two critically acclaimed albums and performing extensively throughout the UK and Europe. He was also part of the all-male Gaelic supergroup Na Seòid. 2017 saw the release of a new solo album, ‘Till – Return’ featuring traditional and contemporary songs from his native Lewis alongside some newly self-penned pipe music.
SATURDAY 19TH JULY
Puirt à Beul workshop with Mischa Macpherson
Time: 2pm - 3pm
Community Room, An Lanntair
Admission: £8 / £6
BOOK HERE
Mischa Macpherson is suitable for both beginners and experienced singers who would like to know more about this unique form. You’ll learn songs including strathspeys, jigs and reels from a variety of backgrounds and places.
Winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and MG Alba Scots Trad Music Award for Gaelic Singer of the Year, Mischa Macpherson is ’one of the most exciting and fully rounded talents to emerge from the Scottish scene in many a year’ (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2). Having grown up immersed in the distinctive culture of the Outer Hebrides, she unearthed her love for music and Gaelic at a very early age, and it is these influences that the singer now presents with clarity and tenderness to audiences around the world.
GAELIC TASTER SESSIONS
THURSDAY 17th + FRIDAY 18th July
Time: 12:30 – 1:30pm
Community Room, An Lanntair
Admission: £6 / £5
BOOK HERE
Corthom began Gàidhlig a thogail a bhios air leth feumail timicheal air làrach na Feis!
This is your chance to learn some simple day to day Gaelic and Some essential festival phrases! We can’t promise you will be fluent by the end of the festival but you will have been exposed to one of the worlds’ finest and most poetic of languages.
These sessions will be led by Sean Macleod, Gaelic Arts Officer with An Lanntair and Western Isles Libraries.