A native of the Isle of Tiree, Jamie MacDonald has grown up immersed in the music and culture of the island and plays with a distinct island style. Growing up he was taught by Katie Unlingd while at school, and went on to take part in the Còrnaig Cèilidh Band under the guidance of the late and much respected local musician Gordon Connell. Jamie continued with music after school, taking up residence in Uist to study music at UHI with Anna Wendy Stevenson and Simon Bradley. Jamie and fellow students formed the folk band Eabhal, with whom he played for many years across Scotland, the UK and Europe. Jamie is now part of the team at Tiree Music Festival and has been studying for a law degree as well as playing regularly.
Claire Frances MacNeil grew up in Tangasdale in Barra and Fort William, surrounded by the Gaelic and musical culture of both areas. She started on the fiddle at Fèis Bharraigh at a young age under the tutelage of Duncan Johnson. She was also tutored by Deirdre Beck and Eilidh Steele as well as many other fabulous teachers through Fèisean and school projects. Claire Frances studied music at UHI in Fort William with Rachel Walker and Alasdair Murray before heading to Glasgow to take out a degree in Gaelic.
Claire Frances is in demand as a Gaelic singer, tutor and fiddle player as well as acting in Gaelic drama and comedy for BBC Alba and Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
Shona Masson is from Kingsburgh in the Isle of Skye, where music was an integral part of her upbringing. Shona started playing the fiddle in primary school with tuition from Christine Martin and she soon attended local Fèisean such as Fèis an Earraich, Fèis Thròdairnis and Fèis Ratharsaigh and went on to take part in the Skye cèilidh trail as a teenager. All of these tutors and experiences sparked an interest in traditional and Gaelic music which Shona has taken with her to the present day. She attended the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music and received tuition from Iain MacFarlane in fiddle and Andy Thorburn on piano.
After school, Shona attended Sabhal Mòr Ostaig for a year to study Gaelic, and then hit the big city to further her Gaelic studies at the University of Glasgow where she received an MA in Gaelic.
Shona now lives in Uist and works for Ceòlas where she is involved in running their Summer School, Gaelic courses, classes and events.
Meal Deal - 5.00-5.15 seated at The legend of Saucy Mary. Price includes Two Course meal, a Drink (Glass of Wine/Beer) Ticket to Show.