Applications are now closed for 2025. Please contact us with any enquiries.

Main Fèis Week

July 15th-18th 2025

Our Fèis Week is an opportunity for individuals to come together and develop skills in the Gaelic arts – song, dance, traditional music and more.

Overview

Subjects

Gallery

Pricing

FAQs

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Overview

P4-S6 pupils

Tuesday 15th - Friday 18th July 2025

10.00-16.00 each day

Johnstone High School

What is Fèis week?

Join us this summer for four fun-filled days of traditional music, Gaelic culture, and creative arts! Fèis Week is open to all young people and is especially designed for beginners. Our workshops are led by some of Scotland’s top traditional musicians and experienced tutors, offering a supportive, engaging space to learn and have fun.

What to Expect

Throughout the week, participants take part in a mix of fun and engaging activities, with a strong focus on music and creativity. The core of the week is built around:

Three different subjects, chosen from 14 exciting options
Opportunities to experience Gaelic through fun games and activities
Group sessions that bring everyone together

All workshops are beginner-friendly, so no prior experience is needed — just a willingness to get involved and try something new.

Participants attend their 1st choice workshop twice a day, making it their main subject for the week. This is usually the one they’ll showcase at our Finale Concert on the last day.

Already play an instrument?

Check out our brand new Band Workshops for 2025 – available for the first time in all three workshop slots.

Find out more

Our Team

All tutors are professional musicians with experience working with young people. They’re supported by a fantastic team of supervisors and volunteers who help everything run smoothly. All staff are members of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

Finale Concert

Friends and family are invited along to the Finale Concert to see what we’ve been working on. Every participant takes part — it’s always a brilliant celebration of the week!

Please note: Participants in our Main Fèis classes must have completed Primary 4. Pupils transitioning to Primary 4 (from Primary 3) are not eligible for these workshops.

Subjects

Discover all the subjects available during our Fèis Week, led by skilled tutors excited to share their expertise and experience. Click on any subject title below to learn more about each class.

Accordion

What to Expect

Join our Accordion class and uncover the secrets of this unique instrument! You’ll explore the different parts of the accordion, like the keys, bellows, and basses, learning how they all work together to create beautiful music. Throughout the week, you’ll have fun learning a tune or two, and by trying out all the parts, you’ll get a feel for how everything fits together. It’s a hands-on experience that’s perfect for beginners, offering a taste of the joy of playing the accordion!
Art

What to Expect

Let your creativity soar in our Art class! Immerse yourself in a week of arts and crafts where you’ll have the opportunity to create your own artwork and learn some Gaelic along the way. From painting to sculpting, unleash your imagination and express yourself in vibrant colours and shapes. It’s a journey of self-discovery and creativity that will leave you inspired!
Chanter

[1st and 2nd choice only]

What to Expect

Experience the stirring sounds of Scotland’s most famous instruments in our Chanter / Pipes class! Learn about the different parts of the chanter and bagpipes, and discover how to make melodies on the chanter. Collaborate with your classmates as you play together and delve into the rich heritage of Scottish piping. It’s a musical journey that will leave you proud to be part of Scotland’s musical legacy!
Circus Skills

What to Expect

Step into the spotlight and explore the world of Circus Skills! Get ready to move and groove as you try your hand at hula hoops, plate-spinning, juggling, and much more in this exciting and active class. Collaborate with your classmates as you experience the wonder of the Gaelic circus together. It’s a thrilling opportunity to learn something new, showcase your talents and get your body moving!
Clarsach

What to Expect

Discover the enchanting sounds of the clarsach in our Clarsach class! Learn about the different parts of this beautiful instrument, from its body to its strings, and master a tune or two across the week. With the guidance of our tutor, you’ll have the chance to try out all the different parts together, creating melodies and brilliant sounds. It’s a magical journey through the music of Scotland that will leave you captivated!
Dance

What to Expect

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to move in our Dancing class! Explore different styles of Scottish dancing, from ceilidh to step and highland dancing, as you learn about the different rhythms and movements of Scottish music. Discover how each dance style is tied to the music and and join in the fun as you step, skip, and twirl your way through the week!
Drumming

What to Expect

Get ready to feel the rhythm in our Drumming class! You’ll dive into the heartbeat of traditional music as you experience different rhythms using traditional drums like djembe drums and percussion instruments. Discover the importance of drumming in traditional music and feel the joy of playing along with other instruments. It’s a vibrant and energetic experience that will have you tapping your feet and moving to the beat!
Fiddle

What to Expect

Dive into the world of the fiddle with our beginner-friendly class! You’ll discover the parts of the fiddle, from the strings to the bow, and learn how to make music with them. Across the week, you’ll pick up a tune or two, getting a feel for the instrument and its sounds. Alongside learning to play, you’ll also hear stories about the fiddle’s history and the music it’s used for. It’s a fantastic opportunity for you to try something new and have fun making music together!
Filmmaking

What to Expect

Lights, camera, action! Join our Filmmaking class and be part of creating movie magic! Work collaboratively with your classmates to produce a short film, learning about the equipment and techniques used in filmmaking along the way. Let your creativity shine as you bring stories to life on screen, and who knows, your masterpiece might just become a star on our YouTube channel for all to enjoy!
Guitar

What to Expect

Strum your way into the world of guitar playing! In our Guitar class, you’ll learn about the different parts of the guitar and how they come together to create music. Whether you’re working on melodies or accompaniment (chords), you’ll explore how they fit in with other instruments in traditional music. Collaborate with your classmates to learn something new together and feel the thrill of making music as a team!
Music Production

What to Expect

Step behind the scenes and explore the world of Music Production! Dive into the tech and production side of traditional music as you discover equipment for recording and producing. Work collaboratively with your classmates to capture sounds from across the Fèis Week and create an exciting track that brings the music to life. It’s a creative and immersive experience that will unleash your inner producer!
Singing

What to Expect

Join voices with other young singers in our Singing class! Throughout the week, you’ll learn new songs, focusing on lyrics, harmony, and learning some Gaelic. Don’t worry if you’re new to Gaelic – our tutors will make it easy and enjoyable to learn. Come ready to lift your voice and harmonise with others in a celebration of song!
Whistle

[3rd choice only]

What to Expect

Explore the sweet melodies of the whistle in our Whistle class! Learn about the different parts of the whistle and how to create beautiful tunes. With the guidance of our instructors, you’ll master a tune or two across the week and have the chance to try out all the different parts together. It’s a delightful journey through the music of Scotland that will have you whistling with joy!

New for 2025: Band Workshops
For the first time ever, we’re offering Band Workshops as an option in all three workshop slots at Fèis Week 2025.

These sessions are aimed at younger musicians (usually upper primary) who:

Already play an instrument confidently

Receive regular lessons or can play a few tunes on their own

Are keen to develop their skills in a fun, supportive setting

Can bring their own instrument with them

Band Workshops focus on playing together, learning by ear, exploring different styles, and building confidence in group music-making — all led by experienced, professional musicians.

Please note:

All participants must bring their own instrument

We can’t accommodate full drum kits or large amps, but smaller percussion (like cajóns or hand drums) is welcome

Keyboard players must bring their own instrument

If your child is already in S1 or above, and confident on their instrument, they might prefer our dedicated Advanced Fèis Workshops which offer a broader range of high-level tuition across the week.

Gallery

You can view our full gallery of images from last year here: Fèis Week 2024

Pricing

£115 for 4 days of music and arts workshops

(Less than £29 per day!)

Includes your official Fèis Week t-shirt

1st additional sibling – £105
2nd additional sibling – £95
3rd additional sibling – £85

We work hard to keep access open to all young people and are fortunate to secure public funding to support our events. Places at our events are subsidised with the true cost of each place being much higher.

Payment is required at the time of booking. Payment can be made in full or using our deposit scheme. If you choose to pay with our deposit scheme, 25% will be taken at the time of booking with the remaining balance due 1 month before the event. Deposit payments are non-refundable. Additionally, all payments become non-refundable after the close of applications on Saturday 31st May 2024. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these policies.

A limited number of funded places are available for those who are in receipt of a clothing grant (proof of confirmation required). Tick the relevant box on our application form to make an application to this scheme.

FAQs

When is the Fèis Week?
Where does it take place?
How many classes can participants attend?
Will participants definitely get the classes they choose?

Our classes are booked on a first-come-first-served basis so we recommend signing up early to ensure best availability of places. Occassionally participants may be offered their reserve choice to deliver age and ability appropriate tuition and to ensure maximum learning benefit and enjoyment for all.
Do you supply the instruments?
Do we need to bring a packed lunch?

Apply

Applications are now open! This is our final release of places — available until Saturday 31st May or until fully booked.

Apply Now or Join the Mailing List to be notified of future updates.

Apply Now

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