Orkney Folk Festival

The last Bank Holiday weekend in May is the time for the Orkney Folk Festival in Stromness. A local committee of volunteers work hard to pull together four days of concerts and gigs with bands from across the world as well as local favourites.  The wee town is abuzz during that time with visitors specifically coming to stay for the festival, as well as locals coming home, and those of us resident who look forward to the gigs.  In good weather there are often impromptu sets outside with musicians from different bands joining together, or talented youngsters busking in the street.

Sadly this year the weather was cold, wet and breezy.  But that didn't dampen spirits and again the town was busy with folk, though less going on outdoors.  But the local pubs provided stages for various groups and these sessions were free to customers.

The main concerts were often sold out well before the weekend, though sometimes there were tickets available.  Online booking opens in April and it requires patience to sit in front of a screen waiting for your turn to come..... "You are 104 in the queue"..... oh great!

Anyway I was fortunate to go to two concerts on the Friday.  One was a lunchtime concert in the Community Centre where the gymnasium had been transformed into a "folk club" for the weekend.  Very atmospheric with the staged dressed with musical instruments, and the audience sitting round tables, soft lighting, and of course a bar!  Though you did have to be fairly fit and sober to walk up the steep hill, climb the steps to the Community Centre, and then snake along the corridor and up more steps to the "Club".  But it was worth it!

The session started with local Stromness "lad" Tom Ashman, playing solo on guitar and singing his own songs. Followed by the Kinnaris Quintet (from England and Scotland), and finally, Benedict Morris playing fiddle.  He was BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2019 and was playing together with Pablo Lufuente on guitar, and Conal McDonagh on pipe and whistle (see photo at top of page).  All very lively and foot stomping in the usual folk music way. Good fun!

The other concert began just after the last one finished with enough time programmed in by the organisers for people to get from one venue to another.  This time it was in the old Town Hall, a converted church with great acoustics....

First up were Gnoss, a homegrown Orkney duo who have now added some more band members (see photo below).  I love their music and have their recent album "Drawn from Deep Water". Next were Scottish sextet, Heisk, their instruments included an electric harp, and drums!  And finally Coig from the island of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia.  Again a great concert, with lots of banter and music.

After that there was just time to nip to the Bay Leaf delicatessen nearby for supplies and a welcome cup of tea and then head to the ferry.  This deckchair was in the Quernstone shop along the street.  Um.. a seal seems to have its bum on my house on Graemsay!!

As I say the weather was dreich.......   The island of Graemsay from the Orphir road.- you can just make out Hoy High lighthouse.

And Stromness harbour.   I love this wee boat! It reminds me of a boat I bought my nephews to play with in the bath!

Up above Stromness there was a murky view across the harbour to Graemsay.  The ferry, the Hamnavoe, is sailing into the harbour from Scrabster on the Scottish Mainland. Photos taken by Bett Rae who kindly gave me permission to use them.

Here she comes!

The campsite at the Point of Ness looks full up for the folk festival.... the Hoy Hills in the background...