Annual Perthshire music extravaganza, the Glenfarg Folk Feast, will take place this spring in a new location.
The two-day 2025 festival on the weekend of April 12 and 13, organised by Glenfarg Village Folk Club, will be held in Bridge of Earn for the first time.
And the event’s Sunday evening concert will be opened by Perth duo Jim and Susie Malcolm.
The Glenfarg Hotel had been the festival’s traditional venue along with Glenfarg Village Hall. However, with the hotel’s closure in 2016 it has since been held in a variety of locations in the Perth and Kinross area.
Duncan McNab of Glenfarg Village Folk Club said; “Glenfarg still feels part of the fabric of the club even though currently it is not a viable location for the size of event we are putting on.
“Historically, the Folk Feast was always held in Glenfarg Village Hall, with the Glenfarg Hotel providing accommodation and a socialising hub.
“But the committee felt that, for the benefit of those attending a two day event, Bridge of Earn was the best option.
“The hall in Bridge of Earn is larger, with more anterooms which we can use for competitions and singarounds or sessions. Bridge of Earn offers accommodation, shops, pubs, hotels and food outlets – all things that people coming for a two days festival are looking for.
“Unfortunately, with the closure of the Glenfarg Hotel, Glenfarg cannot offer those things.”
Events scheduled over the weekend of April 12 and 13 include, singarounds and sessions, the World Puff-a-Box Championship, a humorous song writing competition, and two concerts featuring some of the best artistes on the folk scene.
Entry money to some of the events will be donated to Bridge of Earn’s Dunbarney Primary School
Topping the bill on the Saturday are The Paul McKenna Band who are bound by a shared love of Scottish and Irish traditional music as well as contemporary songs underpinned by expert playing and Paul’s vocals.
To round off the festival one of the most respected people in Scottish folk music, Battlefield Band founder Brian McNeill, will take to the stage on the Sunday night.
Full details of the Folk Feast and how to buy tickets can be found at the Glenfarg Folk Club website: www.glenfargfolkclub.scot
Since Glenfarg Village Folk Club lost its traditional weekly venue with the closure of the Glenfarg Hotel it has had several homes, but has now settled in the Memorial Hall at Gateside where it meets every Monday evening.
Duncan said: “Glenfarg Village Folk club first met on April 3, 1978, and earned a distinctive and positive reputation within the world of Scottish folk music.
“To this day at festivals and folk clubs around the country its regulars are recognised as “Fargies”.
“Because of our reputation, it was decided not to change the name of the club, even though it no longer meets in the village.”