The organisers welcome great talent in the teenage and under-25's with several players including members of two new bands, Birlin' and The Baffie Band.

Some of these musicians have been busy with other events including Alsdair Fraser week at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on Skye and Willie Clancy week in Co. Clare, Ireland.

But now they will be around for at least half of August, doing whatever young people like to do, and also playing at the Sessions and The Saturday Skirls.

Birlin' are Eilidh Firth, Lara Findlay and Douglas Dorward on fiddles.
Eilidh is just back from a tour of Ireland with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra.

The trio have all played together for over nine years in various ensembles but Birlin' is a new venture for them and the band will be hosting the Hairst Session on Thursday, August 7, 8pm at Three Bellies Brae, Kirriemuir - a local music session pub. All welcome.

On Saturday, August 9, The Carnoustie Saturday Skirl takes place at 12 noon-2pm, outside Carnoustie Public Library.

Two hours of toe-tapping music, lively jigs and reels and whatever, with Lara and Douglas of Birlin', Coralea McKay, Rachel Harris on flute and Nigel Jelks on guitar.



On Sunday, August 10 at 3pm The Hairst Session is at the Aboukir Hotel, Carnoustie with Birlin', Coralea McKay and Nigel Jelks.

Coralea has been busy playing on the 'Kyle and Lochalsh Ceilidh Trail' which runs through most of July, taking in a grand tour of the Western Highlands.

Her main instrument is the fiddle, but she also sings and plays the piano and will be appearing later in the programme as a member of The Baffie Band.

Nigel Jelks is on mandoline, fiddle and concertina.

On Tuesday, August 12, the Hairst Session will be held at the Glenisla Hotel, Glenisla at 8 p.m. with Ian Kinnear and Brian and Mike McKay.

There will be plenty of great pipe tunes on the Scottish Small Pipes, plus fiddle, tenor banjo, tin whistle, bodhran, songs and plenty fun from the one-and-only McKay twins.

These 'small' pipes are a very old and unique Scottish instrument.
Along with the now defunct Pastoral Pipes, there is evidence and much debate that they may indeed predate the Highland Bagpipe, and the quieter soft tone fits in well when playing with other ceilidh musicians.

All sessions are free and open to all listeners, and other singers and musicians who are welcome to join in with a song or a tune.

Please note that most venues are 'families welcome' but you are advised to confirm by telephone.

The Hairst is organised by Angus Council and details of all events can be found on www.thehairst.co.uk.