MASTERS IN THE WEST HIGHLAND TRADITION KICK-START SMO SHORT COURSES

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on the Isle of Skye, will welcome back some familiar faces to kick-start its short course programme this summer. Former students of the College will feature among some of the biggest names in traditional music that will be teaching on the College's increasingly popular short courses.

From the 12th - 16th of July, Angus MacKenzie and Colm O' Rua will be joined by fellow members of the energetic and highly talented band, Dàimh, to offer top class tuition in a variety of instruments. Gabe McVarish will be teaching a fiddle class for the week, Colm a banjo / mandolin class, Angus on pipes and James Bremner will be teaching a class in bodhran.

They will be joined on the same week by the highly acclaimed Gaelic group, Cliar. Mary Anne Kennedy and Maggie MacDonald will be running a Gaelic song class, Ingrid Henderson will be taking a piano accompaniment class and Ross Martin will be teaching guitar. Iain MacDonald, the College's Musician-in-Residence, will also be offering a class in the flute.

The following week, the 19th - 23rd of July, Julie Fowlis, Jenna Reid, Eilidh MacLeod and Carol Anne MacKay from the dynamic, young Highland group Dòchas will be teaching classes in whistles, fiddle, clàrsach and piping. Eilidh, Carol Anne and Julie are looking forward to their return to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig; "We really enjoyed our time at the College and it's always nice to come back and see everyone. The short courses are great fun and with Fèis an Eilein running at the same time there's always a fantastic buzz about the place."

Sìm Innes, Short Course Co-ordinator at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, is delighted to welcome such a wealth of talent to the College, "It is fantastic that such well-known bands will be tutoring students on our short courses. It adds an extra dimension that the bands will be here together and it should be a very lively fortnight."

More information can be found on the short courses website or by phoning Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on 01471 888 240.

Several of these musiciains can also be heard on the College's CD, 'Ceòlmhor Ostaig'.