Award-winning Scottish folk singer, Iona Fyfe will lead a free Scots singing workshop at this year’s Glenglassaugh Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, on Saturday 28th June 2025. It will take place in the Portsoy Salmon Bothy from 2pm – 3.45pm and is open to all ages and abilities.
Born in Huntly, Iona Fyfe has a deep-rooted connection to the folk traditions of the North East. She was the first singer to win the coveted Musician of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in 2021, and has been described as “one of the best Scotland has to offer”. A passionate advocate for the official recognition of the Doric and Scots Language, Iona holds the title of Scots Speaker of the Year at the Scots Language Awards. She has also been instrumental in raising the profile of Scots language, successfully campaigning for Spotify to add Scots to its list of languages. Iona performs both folk and pop songs in the Scots language and has delivered lectures, talks, workshops and masterclasses in the UK, Canada, Germany, USA and Australia.
Iona Fyfe commented: “I am looking forward to returning to Portsoy to perform at the festival. It is always such a vibrant event, bringing together a wealth of talented performers in the Scottish folk music scene and it’s where my love of music began.
“Most of my teenage years were spent with my parents at the Portsoy Salmon Bothy watching talented Scottish folk musicians and singers, co-incidentally it was where I started out singing, as a young 13-year-old. I am excited to bring my Scots singing workshop to Portsoy and hope it will inspire others to experience and appreciate the beauty of the language and the unique sounds of Scots music. The workshop will welcome people of all ages and abilities, delving into the history and significance of Scots song, providing practical singing experience, whilst exploring this wonderful language through song.”
The Scots Song Workshop is free and open to people of all ages. No previous singing experience required. All resources will be provided. The atmosphere will be informal and fun. The workshop is free, but booking a ticket is essential. Tickets are available at: https://bit.ly/43iDRmc or www.ionafyfe.com/tour.
Visitors to the festival can also see Iona perform on the Harbour Stage on Saturday 28th June at 12.30pm. The Glenglassaugh Scottish Traditional Boat Festival takes place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June, and welcomes traditional sailing crafts from across the country to drop anchor in Portsoy’s 17th century harbour. Alongside the flotilla of traditional boats there is a vibrant mix of live music and dance, Scottish food and drink and age-old crafts. Around 16,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.stbfportsoy.org.
Wullie Urquhart, music co-ordinator of the Glenglassaugh Scottish Traditional Boat Festival said: “Iona is an exceptionally talented singer, and we are delighted to bring her to the festival as part of our line-up of great live music. Visitors have an exclusive opportunity to delve into the history of Scots language and learn from one of the best Scottish folk singers at Iona’s workshop, this is an amazing opportunity for young, and old, to celebrate this wonderful language.
“A mix of traditional folk and pipe bands to contemporary Scottish groups will take to the stage over the festival weekend, providing the soundtrack to our maritime celebrations. Manran will kick off proceedings on Friday evening at the Big Gig on the Back Green and on Saturday 28th June, we have two of the UK’s finest tribute acts, Leona Skimming as Taylor 2 and Kirk Johnstone as TotOlly Murs taking to the stage for our first family friendly event. Tickets are still available, and I would encourage local people to come out and support these events, here in Portsoy.”
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.stbfportsoy.org. Thanks to festival sponsors Glenglassaugh, Puffin Wood Fuels, Hamlyn’s of Scotland, Portsoy Thrift Shop, Portsoy 75 Club, Urquhart Joinery Services, Macduff Shipyards, Messrs J Smith Ltd, Camwater Ltd and Gray Composting Services Ltd.
The Glenglassaugh Scottish Traditional Boat Festival was first held in 1993 as an event to celebrate the tercentenary of Portsoy’s old harbour. Since then, it has been firmly anchored in the town’s calendar, taking place annually each summer and attracting thousands of visitors from across the region, and further afield. The festival is set around Portsoy’s 17th Century harbour and is run by Portsoy Community Enterprise which also manages Portsoy Links Caravan Park, The Sail Loft Bunkhouse, The Salmon Bothy and The Boatshed. For more information visit www.stbfportsoy.org or on social media at @STBFPortsoy #ahoyportsoy.