The Gordon Gaitherin is a Festival of Music and Culture based on the traditions of the North East of Scotland, and is open to young people from central Aberdeenshire (formerly Gordon District). Since its inception in 1993 with one Easter Gaitherin for school age children, the Gaitherin has grown in popularity to the present day where there is a regular programme of music, song and drama festivals and workshops.

There are two main Gaitherins per year - one at Easter for primary 4 - 7 children, and one in October for secondary school ages. One of the main reasons for the enthusiasm with which young people embrace the Gaitherin, is the contemporary approach to the traditional culture, and the energy and commitment of the tutors and staff.

Each Festival or Gaitherin gives young people an important opportunity to actively learn more about the culture and heritage of the North-East of Scotland, with the emphasis being to present it in today’s language.

Press Coverage

Last Autumn saw quite a bit of news coverage in the local media. We are grateful to local papers and television for covering our stories and giving us valuable publicity.

The October Gaitherin received good reviews as did the production of "Buckfast at Tiffany’s". Directed by Gaitherin stalwart John Sangster, this was admirably performed by the Linden Centre Youth Theatre.

The announcement of the £18,000 Scottish Arts Council New Directions Lottery Grant also received good coverage. The Scottish Arts Council has been a regular supporter, over the years, of the Gaitherin.

We also had a visit from Grampian Television and footage of Gaitherin participants and tutors was shown on North Tonight. Our first time on television but not our last!

February Workshop

For the first time, this year has seen a weekend workshop run for the older children. This was fully residential, at Sir Arthur Grant’s, and consisted of some intensive training ably given by Jim Hunter and Iain Macdonald (with spaghetti from John Sangster!).

The objective of the workshop was to provide an insight into playing as a band - learning to combine different sounds and styles, arrange tunes and listen to each other!

An impromptu concert on Sunday afternoon demonstrated how much had been achieved in such a short time. The band also made an impressive contribution to the Tutors’ Ceilidh at the Easter Gaitherin and this was well received by everyone who was there.

The National Lottery Big Ticket

Going from strength to strength, the Gaitherin was delighted that our local champion, Yvonne Mair, from Loch Insch Fishery, had beaten off stiff competition to become a participant in this new show.

Yvonne is a keen sportsperson and, her physical skills will be tested to the limit on games of fun, strength, skill and stamina. Yvonne will be teamed up with a celebrity in front of a live audience.

Whyte’s Coaches are helping to sponsor a bus load of supporters, including many of the older Gaitherin participants, to be part of the live audience. The show will be filmed on 18 April and will be screened on BBC TV at 8 pm on Saturday 25 April 1998.

Don’t miss it! - and look out for footage recently shot at Sir Arthur Grant’s with Yvonne and some of Gaitherin young people.

Development Worker

The award of the lottery grant means that we now have our own part-time development worker. We are delighted that Linda Lees Hislop was able to take up the post.

Linda has worked as an Adult Education Co-ordinator, and has recently been co-ordinating the Women’s Festival. She has a keen interest in art, music and all things Celtic and Pictish.

Constitutional Changes

Some minor changes to the constitution were recently approved by a general meeting. These changes allow the Inland Revenue to grant us full charitable status. This in turn makes it easier for our sponsors to be even more generous!

The Clarsach and Dance

Another first this year has been the introduction of a new instrument to the workshops. The Clarsach, or Scottish Harp, has proved very popular and we welcome Ingrid Henderson as Tutor. Other new tutors are Ani Tschakmakdjian (Dance) and Nick Gibson (Drums).

Management Committee

The Gaitherin continues to be supported by Community Education workers and parents who make up the Management Committee. We were sorry to lose Marilyn this year - thanks for all your help.

A big thank you also to Alison and Norman Massie, in whose home we often meet, and to Deirdre, Wilma, Dave, Bruce and George. Iain Macdonald continues to provide valuable artistic direction, and last, but by no means least, thanks must go to our able Chair, John Sangster, who also acts as Tutor Rep.

John’s annual report reads...
"This has been a monumental year for the Gaitherin, one in which the standard of participants has risen even above our expectations. It would appear that the hard work of all the tutors is now beginning to show dividends and apart from all the local tutors, it was great to see Jim Hunter show his enthusiasm and commitment to the Gaitherin yet again."

John continues...
"I must say a big thank you to all the people involved in the Gaitherin, all the helpers, Community Education staff, and all the parents who continue to support us. The biggest thank you must be to all the young people who attend the Gaitherin (without whom it would never happen) and also all our sponsors who continue to give us their support."

If you require further information on any aspect of the Gordon Gaitherin, please contact Linda Lees Hislop.

Special thanks to Aberdeenshire Council Education, James Rizza and Sons, Leonard’s Music, Starfish Harps (Conigh by Fort William), Ardival Harps (Strathpeffer), Feisan na Gael, Jack Cooper (Insch), Mitchell’s (Inverurie) Dairy, The Scottish Arts Council, AMEC, Kemnay Academy Staff, Ram Leisure, Burnett Arms Hotel, Mather’s (Inverurie) Ltd, Whyte’s Coach Tours, and Johnny (for the neeps) 

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