An international family-friendly festival which celebrates the many styles of fiddle playing and associated dance traditions that exist around the North Atlantic has benefited from new funding to expand its programme.

Celebrated fiddle player Paul Anderson

The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, which was founded by the Elphinstone Institute at the University of Aberdeen in 2001, has been awarded £10,500 from EventScotland’s National Programme Fund.

The event has become one of the largest and most respected festivals in the world of fiddle music and dance and has previously been held in Nova Scotia, Ireland and Newfoundland. The last time it was held in Aberdeen, it attracted 15,000 visitors.

It returns to the ‘Granite City’ from 11-15 July with a programme of more than 150 concerts, workshops, ceilidhs, busking trails, sessions, dances, tours, exhibitions, films and other public events and combines a festival with an academic symposium, with events taking place throughout Aberdeen city centre and at the University of Aberdeen, as well as cultural and community venues throughout Aberdeenshire.

EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate and its National Programme Fund plays an integral role in developing tourism across Scotland by helping to grow the country’s diverse events portfolio.

The festival itself boasts a line-up of celebrated artists who are leading representatives of their traditions from Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, Scandinavia, Spain, Canada, the USA and beyond. A launch concert in Aberdeen last week featured celebrated Scottish fiddler Paul Anderson as well as multi-instrumentalist and composer Patsy Reid and two Hungarian Roma musicians, among many more.

Jo Robinson, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “I am delighted that the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention has been granted this funding, as it is a popular event which attracts musicians, dancers and academics from across the world. It is important for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire’s cultural identity that we host events such as this and that we offer our support to help make it as successful as it can be.”

Carley Williams, Festival Director, North Atlantic Fiddle Convention 2018, said: “We are delighted to once again be working with EventScotland to bring the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention to the North East of Scotland, famous for its long-standing traditions of fiddle playing, dance and composition.”

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, added: “This exciting festival brings together the world’s best fiddlers and musicians and is one of the highlights of the year for those interested in folk music and traditional dance. The funding secured from EventScotland will help to ensure that this year’s event delivers a fantastic programme which attracts visitors from all over the globe to Aberdeenshire.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a music-themed tour of Scotland, the UK or Ireland, taking in popular events such as this fiddle festival or exhilarating concert performances to meet your musical tastes, please do contact our friendly team today.