The Fèis movement has been established and growing in Scotland for the past 20 years.  An opportunity, primarily for children, to gain tuition from international experts in Scottish traditional music and song there are now 37 separate events held annually across the country.

Now there is a 38th in the shape of Fèis sa Mheadhan:  Fest o' the Mids, planned for Stirling over the weekend of October 15-17.
 
As with other fèisean, the Stirling event will provide music, singing, and dance tuition along with some basic language teaching.  While all fèisean incorporate Gaelic to some extent in their tuition, the Stirling fèis also plans to make use of the Scots language.
 
As secretary of the voluntary organisation Chas MacDonald explains, "Stirling is an area where the two major traditions of the Highlands and Lowlands meet so it is appropriate that we make the most of both the Gaelic and Scots languages.  But it's not necessary for participants to be fluent in either.  Nobody will be excluded on the basis that they can't speak the languages."
 
Open to children aged 8-16 years old those taking part will have the chance to choose from a range of classes including fiddle, whistle, pipes, piano accordion and clàrsach as well as Scots and Gaelic song and dance.
 
Tutors so far confirmed include Iain MacDonald, a former member of the renowned Battlefield Band, and Sheena Wellington, the singer who performed "A Man's A Man For A' That" at the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
 
Chas said, "We really hope that the children will benefit from having the chance to receive tuition from what are a group of really top international performers."
 
To be held at Stirling's Wallace High School, the Saturday (October 16) will also include tuition in Gaelic language at various levels for adults. For more information on the fèis e-mail feis-stirling@tesco.net or by phoning 01786 442057.