It’s a moveable feast of music and entertainment at the 128th British Columbia Highland Games.
Tiller’s Folly will headline ScotFestBC’s Big Tent stage with shows on both Friday and Saturday. Other Big Tent entertainment include Collage Trad, Bob Collins, The Wee Drams and Mariachi Los Dorado and from Scotland, Findlay MacDonald and Ali Hutton. All hosted by the inimitable Rod MacBeth.
The Cultural Workshop will also hold a fiddling workshop with Annika Wilson (Twin Embers) and Dr. James Acken and son will explore cultural history through song and tracking the changing memory of the Highlands of Scotland through music and culture. The Vancouver Open Highland Dance Championship takes place on the Highland Dancing Stage in The Meadow. Wander the grounds to discover some of the sights and sounds of Scottish & Celtic culture in BC. See below for more details about our performers.
Tiller’s Folly
Big Tent Stage
Friday, June 20 – 8:15 pm
Saturday, June 21 – 3:15 pm & 7:45 pm
For over twenty-five years, Tiller’s Folly have been uniting the past with the present as modern-day storytellers of lore, singing the West’s pioneer history to life. From the outset, Tiller’s Folly aspired to create acoustic music that is thoughtful, progressive, yet timeless in nature. Music that is representative of their Pacific Coastal home. They set out to preserve a measure of the West’s colonial heritage in stories & songs.
Drawing influence from Scottish, Irish and Maritime Music traditions, Tiller’s Folly have continued to expand and refine their potent blend of Pacific Canadiana, and ‘beyond.’
Collage Trad
Big Tent Stage
Friday, June 20 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 21 – 2:15 pm
This BC band has some of the hottest award-winning contemporary fiddlers from Western Canada, and combined with complex arrangements and a rhythmic underlay, deliver uplifting and energizing music. Led by fiddler Gabriel Dubreuil, the band is heating up stages around BC. This is their first appearance at ScotFestBC, and the quartet is sure not to disappoint.
Delta Police Pipe Band
Pipers’ Competition Circle
Saturday, June 21 – 4:00 pm
ScotFestBC is pleased to welcome back the Delta Police Pipe Band after a nine-year hiatus. This large performance band has been around since 1971 and has travelled the world performing at tattoos and events, including with Sir Paul McCartney.
Finlay MacDonald & Ali Hutton
Big Tent Stage
Saturday June 21 – 6:00 pm
Finlay MacDonald and Ali Hutton push Scotland’s bagpipe tradition into bold new territory with explosive energy and seamless connection. Combining raw energy with inspired creativity, Finlay MacDonald (bagpipes/whistles) and Ali Hutton (acoustic guitar) take Scotland’s rich bagpipe tradition in bold, dynamic new directions. Deeply rooted in Highland piping, yet constantly pushing the boundaries, they bring a fresh and exhilarating approach to their music.
Expect driving rhythms, soaring melodies, and an electrifying connection between two of Scotland’s most exciting folk musicians.
Robyn Carrigan
Cultural Tent
Saturday, June 21 – 3:45 pm
Nova Scotia’s Robyn Carrigan grew up surrounded by music and Gaelic culture. Robyn is a regular returnee to ScotFestBC thanks to the immense popularity of her presentation in the Cultural Tent. This presentation offers a unique and authentic window into the world of the Gaels who immigrated to Canada in the 19th century, including a milling frolic for everyone.
The Wee Drams
Big Tent Stage
Saturday, June 21 – 4:15 pm
The Wee Drams is a non-profit society that celebrates Scottish culture through Highland dance. For ScotFestBC, The Wee Drams is partnering with Mariachi Los Dorados, Canada’s premier 12-piece mariachi ensemble to showcase the beauty of both cultures and the power of music and dance to bridge diverse traditions. This event is supported by the BC Arts Council.
Mariachi Los Dorados
Big Tent Stage
Saturday, June 21 – 4:00 pm
Canada’s premier 12-piece mariachi ensemble performs music that tells a story of culture, history, romance and elegance. It’s a style of music that brings everyone together, including highland dancers at ScotFestBC. The band has produced two albums and has another in the works. The band has made several appearances at ScotFestBC in the past. Their collaboration with the Wee Drams is supported by the BC Arts Council.
