After wowing crowds at last year’s ACE Winches Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, award-winning Scottish band, Skerryvore are set to return to the coastal town of Portsoy. The Celtic rockers will headline the Big Gig on the Back Green, sponsored by Urquhart Joinery Services, on Friday 30 June 2023, kicking off the 30th anniversary of the event.

Skerryvore has recently toured the globe, performing to sell out audiences in the USA, Canada, Australia and across the UK and Europe, and will release their new album TEMPUS on 28th April. Their songs, which feature a mix of fiddle, accordians, pipes and whistles along with guitar and vocals, have had millions of streams online and the band’s latest single ‘Everything you Need’ was premiered on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

Fans can now purchase tickets to see them live on the ACE Winches Scottish Traditional Boat Festival website at the early bird rate of £30, for a limited time. This licenced event is for 18s and over.

Skerryvore’s ‘Angry Fiddler,’ Craig Espie says, “We had a brilliant night at Portsoy last year, at a great event with a really enthusiastic audience. We are looking forward to returning again in June, bringing some new music from our new album, and celebrating the festival’s 30th anniversary.”

Skerryvore will be supported by Dundee based Sean Findlay with Adam Smith, who are currently making waves in the Scottish music scene. Sean will be singing his original songs with Adam playing a fiddle trad tune in the middle. They are making a name for themselves on the open mic circuit, attracting crowds to Scotland’s top night spots as well as being regular open mic night hosts at Glasgow’s legendary King Tut’s.

The annual ACE Winches Scottish Traditional Boat Festival will take place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July 2023. A flotilla of traditional boats will drop anchor in Portsoy’s historic harbour, alongside a programme of crafts, music performances and local food and drink, over the two days. Tickets for the event can also be booked now from the website and include the option of a great value weekend pass, allowing entry on both days.

Chairman of the ACE Winches Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, David Urquhart says, “Skerryvore performed live at the festival last June and received huge acclaim, so I just knew we had to bring them back again this year. They are an immensely talented group and have a busy year ahead touring the globe to promote their new album. We are delighted that we could bring them back to Portsoy, as their lively and high energy performance will certainly start our weekend of maritime celebrations off on a high note.

“2023 will be a special year as it marks the 30th anniversary of the festival. We have been working to enhance our programme for this year, strengthening the elements our visitors enjoy, whilst expanding our maritime and water-based activities. It would not be possible to deliver an event of this scale and quality without our sponsors, supporters and volunteers who come forward each year to support us, and we are very grateful for their continued dedication and commitment.”

Turriff-headquartered ACE Winches was announced last month as the main sponsor of this year’s festival. The company is a global leader in lifting, pulling and deploying solutions across multiple sectors and has been a long-term supporter of the event, providing significant sponsorship from 2017-2019. ACE Winches has come back on-board this year as part of its commitment to provide assistance and support to the community, a core element of its corporate social responsibility strategy.

Tickets are £30 and are on sale now on the festival website: https://stbfportsoy.org/buy-tickets. The Big Gig on the Back Green is sponsored by Urquhart Joinery Services, who deliver a wide range of bespoke joinery solutions, including the manufacture and supply of high-quality windows, doors and staircases. This year’s festival is also sponsored by Gray’s Composting, Puffin Wood Fuels, Moray West, Macduff Shipyards, Portsoy Thrift Shop, Twice Buried Rum Co and Hamlyn’s Oatmeal.

Entry to the festival is discounted when purchased in advance online, for a day festival pass the prices are £15.30 for an adult, £9.90 concession and £6.30 for a child. Alternatively, a family day pass can be purchased for £35.10, or an adult weekend pass is £19.80. A weekend family pass, for access to the festival on Saturday and Sunday is £45.00. Tickets can be purchased on the festival website