19th August 2005
Cowalfest at gateway
Following on from the successful launch of Cowalfest in London last month, the display banners have now returned to Scotland and are being shown in the National Park Gateway Centre at Balloch to encourage more visitors to the western side of the National Park and the rest of the Cowal Peninsula.
"Cowalfest now in its third year is Scotland's largest Walking Festival, said Russell Bruce, Cowalfest Chair and National Park Board Member. Russell added, "Cowalfest is much more than a walking festival. Our energetic committee have expanded the programme further this year with the addition of cycling, an innovative arts programme and a fantastic line up of traditional music. For 10 days Dunoon will be transformed into Scotland's Art Town with over 50 artists contributing to the unique Windowshopper's Gallery and at the core of the festival we have 82 walks for our enthusiastic walkers to take part in"
Cowalfest in supported by EventScotland, Argyll & the Islands Enterprise, Argyll & Bute Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Scottish Arts Council and Forestry Commission Scotland.
For a free programme and to book walks and events contact Dunoon Tourist Information Centre 08707 200629.
13th September 2005
Traditional Music Plays for Cowalfest
Cowalfest is reporting strong interest and bookings from Europe and the US in its expanded arts programme with top names heading the bill at the opening traditional music concerts at Strone and Strachur on 7th and 8th October.
"Cowalfest has been able to grow steadily because we seek partnerships with those with specialist knowledge" said Russell Bruce, Chair of Cowalfest. He added: "Through a partnership deal between Cowalfest and the Lochgoil Fidders Workshop, Mark Murpurgo has brought us a superb line up with Celtic Harmonica - Donald Black, mouthie and Runrig guitarist Malcolm Jones. Heading up the second part of each concert, making a fabulous double bill, are Jamie Laval, fiddle and Hans York on guitar.
"We will also be introducing new talent with two very gifted students from the Royal Academy of Music and Drama. We are delighted to have cellist and singer Seylan Baxter whom we met at a performance in the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh earlier this year" explained Cowalfest Vice Chair, Dorothy Bruce.
Seylan, in her 3rd year on the RSAMD Scottish Music course, is the first cellist to study on the traditional music course. Russell said "Seylan makes the most of the versatility of the cello, playing everything from lively strathspeys and reels to haunting laments. She is also a very accomplished singer bringing traditional Scots songs to life, either by virtue of her voice on its own or accompanying herself on cello or guitar."
Seylan is currently on an internship with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC in its Centre for Folklife and Cultural Heritage under a programme set up by Scottish Enterprise Glasgow called 'Tomorrow's Leaders International' which sends a small number of Scottish students on internships to the US. Seylan explained "The Centre holds an important archive of field recordings and owns the Folkways recording label. It also organises a major folklife festival over 2 weeks of July in central DC. In 2003 Scotland was featured at this festival and artists such as Brian McNeill, Karine Polwart, Fiddlers Bid and Phil Cunnigham performed there. I have been cataloguing the recordings of these performances and selecting outstanding tracks which may be issued on CD. I have also been doing some research on field recordings of Scottish singers from the archives which may also be released on CD and writing articles for the website," www.smithsonianglobalsound.org which is the Smithsonian's answer to itunes - downloadable archive material.
Seylan will be joined at Cowalfest by Cheyenne Brown from Bird Creek, Alaska. Cheyenne has played the clarsach for seven years, moving to Scotland in 2002 to study traditional Scottish music at the RSAMD. She has produced a CD in Alaska with the harp duo Wild Thyme. Performing in both Alaska and Scotland, she has played for First Minister Jack McConnell, the Prince of Wales and in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with the Whitburn Brass Band. Cheyenne also does teaching on both sides of the Atlantic and is currently the clarsach tutor for West Dunbartonshire Council. Besides music, Cheyenne enjoys the outdoors, skiing, kayaking, and painting and in her last communication with Cowalfest was heading for the Alaskan outback but promised to get back to Scotland in time for the festival.
Both Seylan and Cheyenne will be playing at the Celtic Feast , Thursday 13th October, the Victorian Music Hall on Friday 14th and on Saturday 15th at the Cowalfest Arts Centre and Craft Fair both at the Argyll Hotel in Dunoon.
Cowalfest in supported by EventScotland, Argyll & the Islands Enterprise, Argyll & Bute Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Scottish Arts Council and Forestry Commission Scotland.
5th September 2005
COWALFEST LAUNCHED IN LONDON
Cowalfest launched their 2005 programme at VisitScotland in London where they have had a month long promotion to entice visitors to the Cowal Peninsula.
Revealing how it is breaking down barriers, dusting down traditional walking and taking culture and arts out of the box, the packed programme was launched along with a taste of what is to come - highlights ranging from the re-enactment of a 4th century tale of sex, love, betrayal, honour and revenge, with a hint of Da Vinci Code, to action painting in which visitors can participate themselves.
As it enters its third year, Cowalfest is already Scotland’s largest walking festival and much more. The launch put the Cowal Peninsula centre stage for visitors to Scotland. Developed by the Cowal Walking Festival Association, its chair, Russell Bruce, is quick to point out that this is no ordinary walking event "with over 80 walks, cycling added this year and an expanded programme of arts events we really have something to shout about" says Russell.
Actress, Sadie Dixon-Spain portrayed 4th century 'Princess' Deirdre of the Glenmasan Manuscript, performing extracts from three playlets that are to be presented during Cowalfest’s mouth watering Celtic Feast and drama walks where evocative landscapes will form their backdrop.
Artist, Don McNeil of Fyne Studios who describes his work as “an emotional statement of what it is like to be standing in a Scottish landscape”, produced a painting in a ten-minute period of intense concentration and activity. Don transformed a white canvas into a painting in a style that is a fusion of abstract expressionism and action painting but with strong references to the Scottish colourist tradition and the School of Paris.
Visitors heard how, between 7th and 16th October, Dunoon will become Scotland’s Art Town with the innovative Windowshoppers Gallery organised for Cowalfest by Don McNeil & Jean Bell. Throughout the afternoon they were queueing on the streets of London to do a painting with these very talented local painters who give so much time to promoting the visual arts on Cowal.
“Bringing art, heritage, language, sport, environment and science together is why Cowalfest is so different, using the breathtakingly unique natural environment of Cowal as a resource for both healthy activity and as an inspiration for creativity,” said Dorothy Bruce, Vice Chair of Cowalfest. Russell added “Since we launched Cowalfest in 2003, the event has been transformed into an extensive festival geared towards active lifestyles, enquiring minds and the wide-ranging interests of the 21st century.”
Commenting on the event, a spokesperson for Argyll & the Islands Enterprise said: “Cowalfest is a classic example of the way in which a local community has taken the initiative and driven it to become a real success story. Now in its third year, the festival has shown steady growth, year on year.
Organisers have consistently developed their product and listened to participants to provide an event that is innovative and exciting with an appeal to all, locals and visitors alike.”
Cowalfest is one of the regional festivals supported by EventScotland in 2005. Other agencies supporting Cowalfest include Argyll & the Islands Enterprise, Argyll & Bute Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Scottish Arts Council and Forestry Commission Scotland.
COWALFEST TAKES A LITTLE PIECE OF ITS HEART TO LONDON
Breathtaking is the simple message as it launches unique programme in the capital
DATE/TIME: WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST 2005, 3PM TO 8PM
PLACE: VisitScotland Centre, 19 Cockspur Street, LONDON SW1Y 5BL
A little taste of Cowal and its ten-day autumn festival, Cowalfest, is appearing in London this August to help spread the news on just how the event – running from Friday 7 to Sunday 16 October 2005 - is breaking down barriers, dusting down traditional walking and taking culture and arts out of the box.
As it enters its third year, Cowalfest aims to put the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll – now enjoying its National Park status - top of the visitors’ map. Already Scotland’s largest walking and arts festival developed by the Cowal Walking Festival Association, its chair, Russell Bruce, is quick to point out that this is no ordinary walking event. Russell, who also sits on the board of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, will be at VisitScotland in London with his team on Wednesday 17 August to explain all about the unique programme. We would be delighted if you, or a representative, are able to attend between 3pm and 8pm on the day. Buffet and refreshments will be provided.
You will meet 4th century Princess Deirdre of the Glenmassan Manuscript – actress Sadie Dixon-Spain – who will feature at Cowalfest’s unique Celtic Feast with its mouth watering banquet, and in the many drama walks which have evocative landscapes as their backdrop. You will hear how about Scotland’s Art Town with Bart van Oijen, artist led walks, the musical line up, mountain biking, a programme of over 80 guided walks and much more.
“Bringing art, heritage, language, sport, environment and science together is why Cowalfest is so different, using the unique natural environment of Cowal as a resource for both healthy activity and as an inspiration for creativity,” said Russell Bruce. “Since it was launched in 2003, the event has been transformed into an extensive festival geared towards active lifestyles, enquiring minds and the wide-ranging interests of the 21st century.”
A biodiversity hot spot, Cowal has at its heart the vast Argyll Forest Park - Scotland’s oldest forest park and part of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park - interspersed with mountains, sea and fresh water lochs that provide a breathtaking vista. Cowalfest is one of the regional festivals supported by EventScotland in 2005. Other agencies supporting Cowalfest include Argyll & the Islands Enterprise, Argyll & Bute Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Scottish Arts Council and Forestry Commission Scotland.
FEAST YOUR EYES ON COWALFEST - 7 to 16 October 2005
12 April 2005
COWALFEST GETS SET TO LAUNCH EXPANDED PROGRAMME
As it enters its third year, the 10-day Cowalfest, already Scotland’s largest walking and arts festival with over 70 guided walks, is getting set to launch an expanded programme taking place from Friday 7 to Sunday 16 October 2005. The venue is the Cowal Peninsula, a unique part of Scotland where Highlands meet Clyde coast creating a rich diversity of landscape and straddling two cultures.
“Wildlife, heritage, history and culture, can all be explored and celebrated during Cowalfest,” said Russell Bruce, Chair of Cowalfest organisers, the Cowal Walking Festival Association. “Cowal’s varied past and present offer the visitor much to enjoy when walking in our hills and glens, from the sandy shores of the lochs to craggy mountain tops; sea pinks to majestic conifers; prehistoric fish to playful dolphins; ruined townships to attractive villages of character; the legacy of Gaels and Norsemen to that of the Victorian merchants.
“Cowalfest is literally walking and arts as you will experience it nowhere else! Bringing art, heritage, and landscape together is why it is so different, using the unique natural environment as a resource for both healthy activity and as an inspiration for creativity.”
On top of the programme of guided walks, suitable for all abilities, key Cowalfest arts events for 2005 include transforming Dunoon into Scotland’s Art Town for 10 days with a Window Gallery spanning 60 shops, each displaying cutting edge art by local and invited artists. The 4th century tale of Deirdre of the Sorrows, a story drawn from the Celtic 1512 Glenmassan Manuscript discovered in Cowal in the 18th century, will be portrayed in a giant mural in which locals and visitors are invited to contribute under the guidance of two local artists.
Other highlights include a top line up of traditional music with two concerts featuring Donald Black of Scottish Celtic Harmonica, Malcolm Jones of Runrig and Jamie Laval, US National Scottish Fiddle Champion 2002, who will be joined by German born guitarist Hans York from the US.
“We will host a Victorian Music Hall evening, wildlife presentations, photography, and present Scottish food to make you drool including a Celtic Feast in the company of Deirdre of the Sorrows,” said Russell. “This will be a truly gastronomic experience that we believe will be worth travelling the world to enjoy coupled with a tale that has more than just a hint of the Da Vinci code - a story that has survived two millennia to burst forth again in the 21st century.”
Cowalfest is one of the regional festivals supported by EventScotland in 2005. Other agencies supporting Cowalfest include Argyll & the Islands Enterprise, Argyll & Bute Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and Forestry Commission Scotland.
Cowalfest will be on show at VisitScotland, 19 Cockspur Street, LONDON throughout August
