Our programmes ... Ar prógraman
We perform a variety of programmes, tailored to suit our audiences. We can also run workshop sessions, lasting half a day, whole day, or longer!
We cater for all ages, from nursery school children right up to their great-grannies and grandpas.
A short demonstration, or a whole evening's entertainment - our performance can be as long or as short as you wish, with plenty of audience participation.
As well as "set piece" performances, at longer events we do what we call "waulking and talking", when we waulk fairly constantly, stopping to chat to passers-by, encouraging them to join us at the table. This works well in all-day events.
It's educational ... It's fun!
Some of our programmes are illustrated with PowerPoint slides.
1. Clò na Hearadh ... Making Harris Tweed
Our basic programme. We illustrate in song the whole process of tweed production, from the sheep to the finished garment. (From Ewe to You!)
2. Orain obrach ... Work songs
We perform songs which accompanied other everyday tasks, spinning, milking, churning, grinding corn ...
3. Feuds, Fights ... and Fairies!
Songs and stories from Highland history. Hear about ancient clan battles and dark deeds...fairies ... Jacobites ... culminating in Trod nan Cailleach (The Old Wives' Quarrel), the re-enactment of a poetical name-calling contest across the waulking board - with fatal results! (Not for those of a nervous disposition!
4. Kennedy-Fraser and her sources
We sing some of Marjory Kennedy-Fraser's well-known Songs of the Hebrides, comparing them with original traditional versions.
5. A'snìomh agus a'dathadh
A talk - with songs and slides - on the ancient crafts of spinning and dyeing.
6. Airson na cloinne
Songs and stories, in Gaelic or English, specially for the children.
Titles include:
Donald's new trousers / A' bhriogais ùr aig Dòmhnall.
The wee bannock / Am bonnach beag
The woman who got help from the Fairies / A' bhean-taighe agus na sìthichean