Guests

The Bands
The Gary Sutherland Band A local Scottish Dance Band, who have now established themselves as one of the top bands in Scotland.

Lomond Ceilidh Band A local Scottish Dance Band that have been one of the top Scottish bands for several years.

Box o’ Bananas A Contemporary Traditional Music Ceilidh Rock Band of world renown who regularly perform all over the world. Box o’ Bananas will return again to lead the Ceilidh Dance on Saturday night.

Michael Philip Band Michael and his band are from Fife and are regular guests at the Festival.

Early Learning Ceilidh Band This is a local Ceilidh Band whose members are tutored by members of the Lomond Ceilidh Band and the Gary Sutherland Band. They are aged between 8 and 16 and this is their third appearance at the festival.

Muchty Musicmakers These are the students from the Traditional Music Workshops that are held regularly throughout the year in Auchtermuchty in Partnership with Elmwood College, Cupar.


The Singers and Musicians
Bob Aimer Bob is a local musician who has been a regular at the Festival for many years and is one of the tutors with the Muchty Musicmakers.

Joe Aitken A well known and popular traditional music singer from Kirriemuir. Joe has been a regular guest since the early years of the Festival. The Master and Apprentice workshop will involve Joe discussing and singing bothy ballads with Scott Gardiner.

Ron Bissett Ron is a local traditional music singer and entertainer who has been an ever present helper and guest since the very first Festival.

Jock Duncan We are delighted to have one of the finest Ballad and Bothy Ballad singers around as a guest for this years festival. Jock will be joining us for the day on Saturday.

Scott Gardiner Scott was brought up on a farm near Forfar and is best known for his singing of bothy ballads and the songs of the North-East of Scotland. Scott will be leading a workshop on Bothy Ballads with Joe Aitken.

Alison McMorland
Now living in Dunblane, Alison was born in Renfrewshire of Ayrshire/Irish stock. Alison is a well known and respected traditional singer. She is currently working on a book with Elizabeth Stewart. Alison will also be giving a talk on Sunday morning; The songs and life of Willie Scott, the Border shepherd.

Geordie McIntyre Originally from Glasgow, Geordie’s lifetime of involvement in song, ballad and poetry is reflected in his singing, collecting and songwriting. Geordie will be giving a talk on Sunday; Songwriting in the Idiom. A must see for anyone with an interest in traditional song.

Jo Miller An accomplished singer and fiddler, Jo grew up in Galloway. She has been involved in traditional music and education for many years and started the Scottish Music Degree at the RSAMD in Glasgow

Geordie Muirison From the North East of Scotland, Geordie is a well known bothy ballad and traditional singer.

Joyce Muirison Originally from Shetland, Joyce is an expert storyteller and poet and a welcome guest at this years festival.

Kirsty Potts Kirsty has sung from early childhood absorbing songs from her mother – Alison McMorland. Based in the North of Scotland as a community artist, Kirsty devotes all her spare time to singing.

Shepheard, Spiers and Watson Regular guests at the Festival who are active traditional music collectors and enthusiasts for traditional song.

Charlie Soane Now living on the island of Bute Charlie is an excellent fiddle player and has been a regular at the Festival for many years.

John Watt Last (only because this is in alphabetical order!) but definitely not least, John Watt will be appearing as a guest throughout the weekend. John has been a guest since the Festival began and a Muchty concert would not be the same without him. Both a singer and songwriter, much of his inspiration has come from his West Fife background.


Special Mentions
Jimmy Hutchison A previous guest at the festival, Jimmy will be an MC for Citty’s Concert on Saturday and will give us the benefit of his knowledge as a judge at the singing competitions.

Lindsay Porteous A regular visitor to the Muchty Festival, Lindsay an instrument maker from Culross and is well known for the varied instruments he plays. We welcome him this year as a judge.

Doris Rougvie A lovely local singer, Doris will be judging the women and children’s singing competitions this year with Jimmy Hutchison. She will also lead the singers session on Friday night, MC the Prizewinners concert and the Saturday night Ceilidh.

Peter Cox We are delighted to welcome Peter to the festival this year. Peter has recently published a book entitled ‘Set Into Song’ which he will draw upon to illustrate his talk on the original Radio Ballads on Saturday.

Maggie Fraser Maggie Fraser is a storyteller from outside Stonehaven and a founder member of the Grampian Association of Storytellers. Maggie will be judging the Spoken Scots and Storytelling competitions on Saturday.

Sheila Kinninmonth We are delighted to welcome Sheila back again to judge the Spoken Scots and Storytelling competitions. Sheila is an experienced and excellent story teller and will also be helping with some of the Community Events as well.

Neil Paterson Neil is back at the festival this year judging at the Victoria Hall, and we're sure you see him out and about starting up a tune or two in Cycle or the Forest Hills.