An Lanntair's HebCelt 2025 Festival Guide by anlanntair

BigcheersforourownAlexMacDonald -AnLanntair’sHeadof PerformingArts&CulturalProjects–onherwell-deserved inductionintotheHebCeltFestivalHallofFame!

It’smorethanalittleironicthatsomeonewho’sspentyears puttingothersinthespotlight–fromHebrideanWomento BetweenIslandsandbeyond–nowfindsherselfinthelimelight. Butifanyonedeservestherecognition,it’sAlex.She’sbeena tirelesschampionofHebrideanculture,creativity,andcommunity, shapingAnLanntair’sworkandsupportingcountlessartistsalong theway.

Weknowshe’llhatethefuss,butwecouldn’tbeprouder.You’rea trueforce,Alex–evenifyou'recringingyourwaythroughevery wordofthis!

WhatcouldbemoreappropriateinAnLanntair’sfortieth anniversaryyearthantohighlightsomeofourbestloved musicprojects?Thisyear’sseriesofconcertshavetherefore beenspeciallycuratedforHebCeltweekwiththeaimof celebratingjustsomeoftheshowsdevised,produced and/ordebutedbyAnLanntairovertheyears–allofwhich featuresomeofourmosttalentedislandmusicians.

NotleastourFridaynightshow,HebrideanWomen,which willitselfbereachingatwenty-yearmilestone-beingthefirst musicaleventthattookplaceinourcurrentpremisesbackin 2005.Withavaryinglineupofoutstandingtraditionalsingers, eachtimeittakestothestageauniqueblendofvoicesis createdsoit’slittlewonderithasbecomeamustseeinour programme.Importantly,itsoftenthefirsttimetheseartistshave beengiventheopportunitytoworktogethertoo,somethingthat canalsobesaidofWednesdaynight’sopeningshow, BetweenIslands,whichbringstogethermusiciansfromthe WesternandNorthernIslesincollaboration.

WearealsodelightedtobringForty/DaFhicheadontohomesoil -itwaspremieredatthisyear’sCelticConnectionsFestivalin Glasgow-andtopresentarevisedversionoftheaudio-visual showMetagama:AnAtlanticOdyssey,whichtellsthestoryof emigrationfromtheislandstotheAmericasinthe1920sand30s.

Addinceilidhs,thelate-nightfestivalclub,GaelicTaster Sessions,andtherareopportunitytoundertakeworkshopswith someofourparticipatingartistsandyoucanseethatit’s shapinguptobeafantasticfewdaysinAnLanntair.Don’tforget wealsohaveanactivitiestentrunningoutontheCastleGreen andpleasetakethechancetoviewourlatestexhibitioninthe galleryspace-AnTuras/TheCrossingbyinternationally renownedartistKenCurrie. Andonelastthing,whichisasincerethankyoutoouraudiences foryourcontinuedsupport,wecouldn’tdoitwithoutyou!

EXHIBITION ANTURAS: THECROSSING KENCURRIE

12JULY–23AUGUST

TheCrossingtransportsviewers toanunknownarchipelago, characterisedbyitsdesolate andbarrenislandsandtowering seastacks.Thelandscapes, reminiscentofthewesternmost islandsoftheOuterHebrides, featureerodedrocktowersthat emergefromadeep,blacksea, foamingandsprayingattheir bases.

Inthisstarkandunforgivingenvironment,anunidentified communityenduresaprecariousexistencewithoutshelter.

Strandedorperhapsinastateofperpetualwaiting,figuresbalance barefootonguano-coatedrockfacesandnavigatethewatersin wooden-hulledvessels,steeredbyhoodedferrymenthroughthe treacherousseastacks.Theirweather-beatenappearanceismarked bysalt-stung,red-tingedeyesandskin.

Currie’spaintingsareimbuedwithimageryevocativeofinherited folklore,ritual,andfaith.

GiventhatthecatalystforthesepaintingswasCurrie’sexperiences overseveralyearsintheWesternIslesitisfittingthattheyshouldreturn tobeexhibitedinthispartoftheworld.

KenCurriesharedthefollowingwordsaboutthisnewbodyofwork fromhisstudiojournal:

“People

of the Sea. People on the Edge. People at Extremes. Contested Land. Crossing the Sea. Eviction. Evasion. Evacuation. Displacement. Dispossession. Destitution.”

The paintings were originally exhibited in London last year & for this exhibition at An Lanntair Currie has created a number new works specifically for the space.

Freetasterforattendeesbetween6.45pmand7.30pm

Fromitshumblebeginningsasaninter-island songwritinginitiative,theBetweenIslandsprojecthas grownsteadilywitheachairing,bringingtogetheran ever-growingnumberofmusiciansfromacrossthe WesternandNorthernIslesincollaboration.Thisyear seesHebrideanartistsKathleenMacinnes,Alasdair WhiteandWillieCampbelljoinforceswithShetland’s RossCouper,JennyKeldie&ArthurNicholsoninwhat promisestobeyetanotheruniquemust-seelineup.

“BetweenIslandsisaglorious comingtogetherofsomeofthe finestcontemporaryvoices andmusiciansfromScotland’s farthestreaches”Folking

DICIADAIN

16mh An T-Iuchar 7.30f

HEBCELT CEILIDH

WEDNESDAY 16 JULY

10.30pm

Prepareyourselfforanunforgettablenightfilledwith energeticdancing,vibrantmusic,andawarm, welcomingatmospherewithBetweenIslandsMusicians.

Whether you ' re a seasoned dancer or taking your very first steps, our Ceilidh is an experience not to be missed. Held at An Lanntair during the HebCelt Festival, these Ceilidhs are something truly special bursting with energy, live traditional music, and a warm, welcoming spirit. Locals and visitors alike come together on the dance floor, creating a joyful, all-ages celebration of Scottish culture, community, and fun.

*Admission to our Wednesday night ceilidh is included in Between Islands tickets

Admission:£8

AsAnLanntair’s40 A delightedtobeaskedtomarktheoccasionby producingashowfortheCelticConnectionsfestival. HavingwowedtheGlasgowcrowdwithaprogramme ofGaelicsongsandmelodiesfromLewis,wenoware equallydelightedtopresentDàFhicheadtoourhome audience. th

ThosetakingpartareCalumAlexMacmillan,Ceitlin Lilidh,NorrieMaciver,JaneHepburnMacmillanand AndyYearley.

An T-Iuchar

THURSDAY 17 JULY 11pm

Getreadyforamemorableeveningoflivelydancing, spiritedmusic,andawarm,invitingatmospherewith DàFhicheadMusicians!

Whether you ' re a pro on the dance floor or just giving it a go, our Ceilidh is sure to offer an enjoyable experience for everyone!

17mh An T-Iuchar 11f th

Admission:£8

“The

musical equivalent of seeing the northern lights.”

Showcasingthewealthoftraditionalfemalesingers fromtheHebrides,HebrideanWomenwasthefirst musicaleventtotakeplaceinourcurrentpremisesin 2005,makingitanidealchoiceaspartofour anniversarycelebrations.

Witheachoutingprovidingsingersofallgenerations theopportunitytoperformtogether–manyofthem forthefirsttimeever–thisyear’sgroupcomprises AnnaMurray,CeitlinLilidh,MischaMacpherson, IonaMaireadandIsobelAnn

Martin,accompaniedbypianist

AndyYearley. Nottobemissed!

18mh An T-Iuchar

7.30f Admission:£22.50

FRIDAY 18 JULY 11pm - 2am

DanceintothesmallhoursattheFestivalClub, hostedonFridaybyIain‘Spanish’MacKay, wherelate-nightenergymeetsgreatmusic. Catchsomeoneyoumayhavemissed,upand comingartistsalongsidesomefestival favourites.Withlivemusic,DJsets,andplenty ofdancing,thepartydoesn’tstopattwelve!

Admission:£8 DIHAOINE 18mh An T-Iuchar 11f - 2m th

METAGAMA: An Atlantic Odyssey

On21 April1923SSMetagamaleftStornowaywithover300young islandersonboard,boundforCanada.Withinayearnearly1500emigrants wouldleavetheOuterHebridesbutcomingonthebackofWWIandthe Iolairedisaster,thismassemigrationwastohaveadevastatingimpacton theislands.Asaresult,theseeventsretainaprofoundlyimportantplacein folkmemorytothisday. st Thismulti-artformshowwaspremieredinAnLanntairin2023before touringthroughoutScotland.DevisedbymusicianLizaMullhollandand writerDonaldS.Murray,theywillbejoinedbyactorandwriterDolina MacLennan,GaelicsingerandpiperCalumAlexMacmillan,fiddler CharlieMcKerron,singer-songwriterWillieCampbell,andcellistChristine Hanson.OriginalgraphicsfortheshowwerecreatedbyvisualartistDoug Robertson.

CelebrateonelasttimeattheFestivalClub, hostedbyWillieCampbell,wherelate-night energymeetsgreatmusic.Catcha performanceyoumayhavemissed,discover emergingartists,andenjoysetsfromfestival favourites. Withlivemusic,DJsets,andplentyofdancing, it’stheperfectwaytocloseoutHebCelt2025in style! Admission:£8 DISATHAIRNE 19mh An T-Iuchar 11f - 1.45m SATURDAY 19 JULY 11pm - 1.45am th

Doesthefestivalendwhenthemain stagegoesquietonSatnight?Ohno!

DÒTAMAN:

THURSDAY 10THJULY 2PM-3.30PM

Hat Making Workshop for HebCelt

MakeawildandwonderfulhattoweartoDonnieDòtaman’s setatHebCelt.

GaelicTVprogrammeDòtaman(Gaelicfor“spinningtop”) beganin1985starringDonnieMacleod,formerlyofNahÒganaich.Donniewasprimarilythesingeracrossthemany seriesoftheprogramme,andbecameknownforwearing differentsillyhatsrelevanttohissongs.Donniewasoftenseen wearingadefaultseagullhatwhenthethemedidn’tlend itselftobeillustratedwithahat.Manyofthehatswere designedandconstructedbycostumedesignerKirstyColam.

AnLanntairheldanentertainingandcolourfulexhibitionof Suitableforallages. Under8sshouldbeaccompaniedbyanadult.

HEBCELT WORKSHOPS

DÒTAMAN:HATMAKING WORKSHOPFORHEBCELT

Joinusincelebrating40yearsofAnLanntairand Dòtamanwithafun,all-agesworkshopinspiredby DonnieMacLeod’siconicsillyhatsfromthebeloved GaelicTVshow.Createyourownwackyheadgearto weartoDonnie’ssetatHebCelt! Under8sshouldbeaccompaniedbyanadult.

Thursday10July

2pm-3.30pm EducationRoom,AnLanntair

JoinCeitlinLilidh(Sian)forTàlaidhean,aworkshop celebratingthebeautyoftraditionalGaeliclullabies fromtheScottishHighlandsandIslands.Listen,learn, andsinginafriendlyandopenenvironment.

Thursday17July

11am-12pm

GAELICTASTERSESSIONSWITH SEANMACLEOD

Thisisyourchancetolearnsomesimpledaytoday Gaelic,andsomeessentialfestivalphrases!Wecan’t promiseyouwillbefluentbytheendofthefestivalbut youwillhavebeenexposedtooneoftheworlds’finest andmostpoeticoflanguages.

Thursday17&Friday18July

12.30pm-1.30pm CommunityRoom,AnLanntair

TÀLAIDHEANWORKSHOPWITH CEITLINLILIDH HEBRIDEAN TUNES FOR FIDDLE WITH ALASDAIR WHITE

ThisworkshopexploresHebrideanfiddletunes, drawingonpipingandGaelicsongtraditions.You'll learnphrasing,bowing,andornamentationtocapture theregion'suniquestyleandbringauthenticitytoyour playing Taughtmainlybyear,withsheetmusic providedafter

Thursday17July

2pm-3.15pm

HEBCELT WORKSHOPS

SONGWRITINGASSELF-EXPRESSION WITHLIZAMULHOLLAND

ComeandjoinLizaMulholland,oneofthesongwriters andmusiciansontheMetagama:AnAtlanticOdyssey show,forasongwritingsession!Ifyouplayguitaror similar,feelfreetobringit,butabilitytoplayan instrumentisnotessential Keyboardisprovided Age12to18

Friday18July

11am-12pm CommunityRoom,AnLanntair

EXPLORING STRING ENSEMBLE MAGIC WITH CHRISTINE HANSON & CHARLIE MCKERRON

JoinChristineHanson(cello)&CharlieMcKerron (fiddle)forafun,hands-onworkshoponcreative accompanimentandnewtunes. Forintermediatefiddlersandcellists(1+year). Alllevelswelcome. Partofalivelymusicweekend!

Friday18July

2pm–3pm CommunityRoom,AnLanntair

IMMIGRATIONSONGS:GAELICSONG WORKSHOPWITHCALUMALEXMACMILLAN

Inadvanceof‘Metagama:AnAtlanticOdyssey’join LewistalentCalumAlexMacmillanforanhour-long workshoptolearnsomeGaelicsongsabout immigration.OpentoallagesandlevelsofGaelic fluency.Bookingessential.

Friday18July

3.30pm–4.30pm CommunityRoom,AnLanntair

PUIRTÀBEULWORKSHOP WITHMISCHAMACPHERSON

Puirtàbeul(“tunesfromthemouth”)isatraditional Gaelicsongstyleonceusedfordancingwithout instruments.JoinsingerMischaMacphersontolearn strathspeys,jigs,andreels—perfectforbothbeginners andexperiencedsingers.

Saturday19July

2pm-3pm CommunityRoom,AnLanntair

CAFAIDH CAFE

·COFFEE·CAKE·SOUP·SANDWICHES·ICE-CREAM·SWEETS·

Fuel your festival vibes at our cozy café bar – the perfect spot to relax, recharge, and soak up the atmosphere. Whether you're after a cup of our delicious Tin Donkey coffee, a fresh bite to eat, or a refreshing drink (with or without a kick!), we've got you covered. Great tunes, warm hospitality, and a welcoming space await – right in the heart of the HebCelt buzz!

CAFE

BUTH SHOP

Explore a wide range of products and gifts that celebrate the rich culture and artistry of the Outer Hebrides. Our shop offers something for everyone, including stationery, homeware, jewellery, clothes, crafts, cards, books, music, toys, and art.. and some festival accessories for your weekend! When you shop with us, you're not just taking home a piece of the Outer Hebrides; you're also supporting An Lanntair's mission as a charity. Profits from our shop go towards promoting the Arts and Culture of the Outer Hebrides, helping us continue to inspire and connect our community through creativity and tradition.