The Feis Spe show will go on in Aviemore

It was music to organisers’ ears.

The annual Feis Spe will be held in Aviemore Primary School after a change of heart by Highland Council.

Organisers of the strath’s leading traditional music gathering for children were left furious after the local authority pulled the plug on their 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 the school for the past 11 years.

Around 100 children attend from five to 16 years old.

The organising committee was delighted that normal service was being resumed.

They said in a statement: “The Feis Sp Committee is delighted we can now hold our Feis Week in Aviemore Primary School.

“We were astonished and delighted by the huge support we were given by everyone and would like to say a big thank you to all our supporters.

“The best thing that can happen now is that all the places for Feis Week are filled, so the message from us is this – book your child in now for a week of music and fun.”

They added: “We would also like to thank Fraser Tulloch and the team at High Life Highland for being so understanding and sorting out a last minute hall booking so we can have our end of week concert in the hall on the Friday as usual too.”

Award-winning Grantown musician and composer Hamish Napier was still left a little bewildered.

He said: “Well what was all that about then? What a ridiculous scenario the whole thing has been...

“It’s hard enough for community volunteers to try to organise projects like this without the local council standing in their way so unnecessarily.

But for fiddle maestro Charlie Mckerron the feeling was one more of relief.

He said: “Thank goodness we can run this event. It’s a great opportunity for young people to hear and take part in playing Scottish traditional music and Gaelic song.”

Local Highland councillor Muriel Cockburn said: “I am absolutely delighted there has been a resolution. The Feis Spe is an invaluable part of our cultural legacy.”

A council spokesperson said: “The council, working closely with the groups involved (HLH, Aviemore Primary School, and Fèis Spè) is pleased to confirm that Fèis Spè will be running their October event from Aviemore Primary School. This has been achieved by all groups taking a flexible approach to the sharing of available space within the primary school.

“The council wish Fèis Spè all the best for this special event and look forward to working with them in the future.”

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