Arran Folk Festival

About us

The first ever Folk Festival on the Isle of Arran was almost 55 years ago!

It was then re-invented in 1989 and 2019 saw us celebrate our official 25th Anniversary (it only took us 30years to get there!)

We then suffered a two-year hiatus thanks to Covid...

However, 2025 brings us the 29th Arran Folk Festival which will feature free-to-attend afternoon sessions with Uncle Keith at the Douglas Hotel, evening concerts in Brodick Village Hall and late-night sessions. There will also be some special free-to-attend workshops.

We hope to see you there...!

Event History

The 'first' Arran Folk Festival took place in 1989, partly in a bid to attract tourists to our island during the wee lull between busy Whit Weekend and the start of the school holidays.
The Festival saw a week-long series of concerts and pub sessions take place around the whole island. Over the next decade the festival went from strength to strength and became an established high point in Arran's tourism calendar.
The new Millennium brought with it changes and challenges: 'traditional' tourism was changing, and the original organisers were looking to pass on the baton of responsibility.

After a few potholes in the road the Festival has changed to a weekend event, and now takes place in the central location of Brodick.

Event Highlights

Over the last 30+ years there have been too many incredible highlights to fit into one webpage. And besides, as organisers we're just a bit too biased to judge! However, we love to hear anecdotes from anyone who has attended an Arran Folk Festival over the years, so please feel free to drop us an email or post on our facebook page...

Programme of Events

Friday 6th June

Open Session

12pm

-

5pm

The Douglas Hotel

Event Details

Friday 6th June

Open Session

Free Session - hosted by Uncle Keith

Bring an instrument, bring a song... or just bring your ears!

12pm

-

5pm

The Douglas Hotel

Friday 6th June

Evening Concert

7pm

-

11pm

Brodick Public Hall

Event Details

Friday 6th June

Evening Concert

Mairi McGillivray
Laura Wilkie & Ian Carr
Shoogly Peg

Licensed

Tickets: Please Click Here

7pm

-

11pm

Brodick Public Hall

Friday 6th June

Late Night Session

11pm

-

2am

Venue TBC

Event Details

Friday 6th June

Late Night Session

Free Session

Wind down with a drink, a song and guid company...

11pm

-

2am

Venue TBC

Saturday 7th June

Waulking Songs Workshop

10.30am

-

11.30am

Brodick Church Hall

Event Details

Saturday 7th June

Waulking Songs Workshop

Orain Luaidh Workshop - hosted by Dr Rena Gertz

Learn about the traditional practice of waulking the tweed - working the fresh material to t...

Event Details

10.30am

-

11.30am

Brodick Church Hall

Saturday 7th June

Waulking Songs Workshop

12.00pm

-

1.30pm

Brodick Church Hall

Event Details

Saturday 7th June

Waulking Songs Workshop

Orain Luaidh Workshop - hosted by Dr Rena Gertz

Learn about the traditional practice of waulking the tweed - working the fresh material to t...

Event Details

12.00pm

-

1.30pm

Brodick Church Hall

More Events

WORKSHOPS...

Waulking Songs with Rena Gertz

Regular visitors to our Folk Festival will no doubt recognise Dr Rena Gertz.

Rena came to Scotland almost thirty years ago to complete a Master's Degree in Law. As a break from her studies, Rena joined a Gaelic Choir and fell in love with the music. So much so that, after completing her Degree, Rena re-enrolled at University to study Gaelic, to better enjoy the songs she now loved singing.

This year will be Rena's third time running this wonderful workshop, which teaches the historical and cultural importance of waulking songs through small group interactive sessions.

Last year Rena selected students from both afternoon sessions to perform a small impromptu set to open our evening concert.

As previously, Rena has decided to make these workshops free to attend. However, places are limited, so will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. If you would like to take part, don't delay - sign up today!

~~ Click on the pic to visit Rena's official webpage ~~

ARRAN FOLK FESTIVAL

ARRAN FOLK FESTIVAL

HERE WE GO AGAIN...!

AND WE'RE OFF!

About us

Event History

Event Highlights

Programme of Events

Friday 6th June

Open Session

12pm

-

5pm

Friday 6th June

Open Session

12pm

-

5pm

Friday 6th June

Evening Concert

7pm

-

11pm

Friday 6th June

Evening Concert

7pm

-

11pm

Friday 6th June

Late Night Session

11pm

-

2am

Friday 6th June

Late Night Session

11pm

-

2am

Saturday 7th June

Waulking Songs Workshop

10.30am

-

11.30am

Saturday 7th June

Waulking Songs Workshop

10.30am

-

11.30am

Saturday 7th June

Waulking Songs Workshop

12.00pm

-

1.30pm

Saturday 7th June

Waulking Songs Workshop

12.00pm

-

1.30pm

This Year's HEADLINERs...

Mairi McGillivray

Mairi McGillivray

Mairi McGillivray

Amy Papiransky

Mairi McGillivray

Mairi McGillivray

This Year's SUPPORT ACts...

Laura Wilkie & Ian Carr

Laura Wilkie & Ian Carr

Laura Wilkie & Ian Carr

Good Guy Hank

Laura Wilkie & Ian Carr

Laura Wilkie & Ian Carr

Shoogly Peg

Alan John Frew Band

Alan John Frew Band

Alan John Frew Band

Alan John Frew Band

Alan John Frew Band

WORKSHOPS...

Waulking Songs with Rena Gertz