The Orkney Folk Festival returns this month from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 May, celebrating 26 years of bringing the best in modern and traditional folk music to Orkney, with visiting artists from around the globe, and a healthy sprinkling of Orkney musicians, filling island venues with live music.
The Festival features mainly traditional music with visiting musicians and local talent in concerts, ceilidhs, stomps, festival clubs, workshops and informal sessions.
Based in Stromness with events also staged in the rural areas and smaller islands.
For further information call 01856 851331 or visit www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
The Orkney Wine Festival, running from Monday 2 to Tuesday 10 June comprises a fun, informal series of events from tastings and talks, to food and wine matchings. Highlights will include:
- One of Italy’s most famous and respected winemakers, Paulo De Marchi, will talk us through his stunning range of Tuscan and Piemontese wines, matched with a specially tailored dinner by the Lynnfield: a truly world class way to launch this year’s festival.
- Late night opening at Wool & Wine, with a free tasting of Biodynamic French wines. At the cutting edge of modern wine production, these winemakers believe in minimum intervention, letting the climate and soil ‘express themselves’ to the full. The result is wines of great individuality, from Minervois to Burgundy to Alsace.
- An informal evening of food and superb Austrian wines at the Commodore in Holm. Never tried racy Gruner Veltliner or lip-smacking Zweigelt? Now’s your chance! With tapas-style tasting dishes to complement the wines. Followed by live music and, if the spirit moves you, dancing to the Lone Star Swing Band! End the Fine Wine Festival in swinging style!
For further information on events in the wine festival, contact Duncan McLean on 01856 888792 or email duncan.mclean@olagorie.com
