Thursday, September, 11th

Linlithgow Folk Festival - more info

The 2008 Linlithgow Folk Festival will get underway on Thursday September 11th. This year will be the tenth staging of the annual celebration of traditional music, dance and song in the Royal Burgh and the organisers are promising something for all ages at this milestone event.

The biggest-ever programme will include concerts in various venues, a Family Ceilidh at Linlithgow Primary School and an Outdoor Ceilidh at the Vennel. The Union Canal Centre will be a main venue again, with musical cruises on the boats and sessions in the tea room.Several children's events will take place, including a return visit from the ever-popular MR BOOM!

The usual singing and instrument workshops will take place in Cross House and the nearby Kirk Hall will house a Craft Fair. The Masonic Hall will act as the HUB for the weekend and will host a Best of the Festival showcase for established performers and an Open Stage for budding talent.The Black Bitch Tavern and other premises will provide space for music and singing sessions. The Scottish Bluegrass Association will be offering a musical day on the Saturday, including the chance to see a top Bluegrass band from Virginia USA, THE WHITETOP MOUNTAIN BAND.

The main headline concert on Saturday September 13th at 8pm in the Academy Theatre will see a welcome return to Linlithgow for some artists who appeared in the very first year. Guitar wizard, EDDIE WALKER, is also a great singer and was top of the bill at the debut Festival in 1999. He is appearing in a new duo with outstanding harmonica player, FRASER SPIERS, who is well known on the Scottish blues and jazz scenes. Eddie and Fraser range through blues, ragtime, hillbilly, Sing Jazz and traditional styles and have been earning rave reviews all over the country.

They will be supported by David Francis and Mairi Campbell, who make up the duo THE CAST. Their singing of Auld Lang Syne to the older tune features in the soundtrack of the film Sex in the City. THE CAST played at the very first Linlithgow Folk Festival fundraising event in May 1999.

The Folk Festival Association has worked closely with a number of partner organisations over the years, such as the Canal Society, and this year is teaming up with Linlithgow Primary School to stage a Family Ceilidh in the school hall on Friday September 12th. The Ceilidh, led by local band, COCKLEROY, will showcase some of the tremendous talent in the school and floor spots will give the pupils an opportunity to perform. COCKLEROY will also provide the music on the Sunday afternoon, when last year's very successful OUTDOOR CEILIDH at the Vennel will be repeated.

The Festival licks off with the prestigious Lecture, this year delivered by Linlithgow's own EWAN McVICAR, the renowned author, storyteller and songwriter. He will take a look at the fascinating story of the Bo'ness Rebels Literary Society, a group which did much to promote Scottish song writing in the 1950s and 60s.

You'll also be able to catch Jim Byrne on the Festival Showcase at The Hub and the Outdoor Stage, weather permitting.

Copies of the 12 page, full colour Festival Guide are available throughout Linlithgow. Including the Tourist Information Office at the County Buildings, Blast Off Books and the Black Bitch Tavern. The guide can also be downloaded from the Folk Festival website at www.linlithgowfolk.com