Fèis Spè organisers and tutors furious over plug being pulled on 'home' venue in Aviemore
Organisers of the strath’s leading traditional music gathering for children have been left furious after Highland Council pulled the plug on their Aviemore venue for their long-standing event ‘without any explanation’.
Fèis Spè – a week of traditional, music, dance and song – has been organised in the first week of the October holidays for more than 30 years, and held at Aviemore Primary School for the past 11 years.
Around 100 children attend from five to 16 years old – with 40 kids aged five to seven year due to participate this year.
Fèis Spè chair Elspeth Blackshaw said: “Towards the end of the summer term we were told the school was not available.
“There was no explanation given and at the end of August we were then offered Kingussie High School as an alternative but in the second week of the holidays not the usual first week.
“Quite apart from the massive loss of income, losing tutors and transport problems the change causes, the very size and nature of the tables and chairs in a high school are totally unsuitable for children aged five to 11.”
Grantown-based musician and composer Hamish Napier said he had ‘so many questions’.
He commented: “It all just feels so unnecessary. What kind of message does the council think this bizarre decision is sending to the community they are supposed to serve?
“I participated in the Fèis every year when I was a teenager. I made lifetime friends and mentors there.
"It was a great chance for teenagers to meet and hang out with kids from ‘the other school’ – in my case Kingussie High School.
“We formed bands, we played sessions together and those of us that went on to play folk music professionally have worked together in dozens of musical and educational projects over the years.
“I have since returned in recent years to the Fèis as a tutor myself, and felt very proud to perform alongside the next generation of participants and tutors at sold out concerts in our local village halls.
“This isn’t just some wee insignificant youth activity day falling victim to a bit of council bureaucracy. The situation is on a much bigger scale.
“Fèis Spè is a five-day-long, multifaceted, educational project that is welcoming, inclusive, inspiring and very often a life-changing experience for the children and teenagers participating.
“This youth music and Gaelic culture week is an invaluable local gem. The Fèis Spè committee has just managed to find its feet again after the Covid pandemic but now finds itself being completely obstructed by the council.”
He added: “Highland Council, are you listening to us? We are angry and demand changes. Reverse this out-of-the-blue decision.”
Strath drummer Fraser Stone said he was ‘disappointed’: “The positive learning environment created thought the Fesien movement better supported my strengths and interests, more so than regular education.
“This, in turn, gave me confidence and inspired a career path as a touring musician. I really hope this situation is resolved quickly as the implications are significant.
“The short notice, coupled with the lack of support to find alternative space, can only be viewed as a slap in the face to local families and organisers.
“It also offers little reassurance that ‘decision makers’ understand the true value of the of this movement and the important role is plays supporting culture and tradition.”
Aviemore composer, pianist and performer Mhairi Hall said: “Holding Fèis Spè in Aviemore has offered reasonable travel and accessibility to all children throughout the strath for over a decade.
“That the council is actively refusing its young people an established music and educational opportunity is appalling.
“My family will be effected by the change in both date and location, as are many others. There is also the knock on effect on other children’s organisations which have always ensured that they don’t clash with the normal week of Fèis Spè.
“It’s a mess and it is our local children who will miss out the most.”
Multi-instrumentalist and Breabach band member Ewan Robertson, from Carrbridge, said: “Feis Spe has been responsible for producing a wave of creativity and opportunity for young musicians in the strath.
“It is a hugely important cultural institution that has nurtured and helped launch the careers of internationally renowned traditional musicians. It is deeply regrettable the council has taken this approach.”
Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has written to the council seeking urgent clarification on why the school building is unavailable this year.
She said: “Fèis Spè has been an important and established event in the strath’s calendar for many years, and I personally know many young people who have benefited from opportunities from the Fèis.
“I have yet to hear of convincing reasons for why Fèis Spè cannot use Aviemore Primary School on this occasion, and I am deeply concerned that the October holidays are fast approaching – it’s imperative a solution is found quickly.
“The Aviemore school arrangement has been working well, and I don’t know what has prompted this sudden change of plan.”
Organisers have said that Fèis Spè will go on but only at Kingussie High School as a ‘very last resort’.
It is also understood that the rental charge for the secondary school is four times as much as for the primary school last year.
A council spokesperson said: “Fèis Spè currently has a let booked for their October holiday event at Kingussie High School as Aviemore Primary School halls are already booked out for local activities being delivered by HLH.
“Council officers in conjunction with HLH and the education team are currently working together to identify other potential accommodation options for Fèis Spè for their October event.”
