Scottish folk legends Capercaillie touch down in Orkney
Globally renowned Scottish folk group Capercaillie have landed in Kirkwall from Glasgow ahead of this weekend’s 40th annual Orkney Folk Festival, thanks to Loganair.
The ensemble, arguably Scotland’s foremost folk group with over a million album sales, fuse traditional Gaelic and contemporary songs and have performed in over 30 countries.
This year will be the first time Capercaillie has played at the Orkney Folk Festival since 1986, and what makes the band’s return all the more special is that members will be joined on stage by a local orchestra, led by Orkney Schools Instrumental Service and supported by players from Orkney Camerata and Kirkwall Town Band.
As well as coordinating transport for the ten band members and crew, Loganair also ensured the safe transportation of their luggage and instruments, including guitars and an accordion.
Craig Corse, Orkney Folk Festival Producer, said:
“Having been a pupil of the Orkney Schools Instrumental Service myself many moons ago, I am personally very excited about staging this event within the 40th festival. A collaboration of this scale amongst our local music students and such a renowned group will not only be a huge spectacle and celebration of our thriving community music scene but leave a huge legacy and inspiration with the students.
We are very grateful to Loganair for their sponsorship and support of Orkney Folk Festival and for partnering with us on this concert, which will surely live long in folks’ memories.”
Sam Talbot, Loganair’s Head of Marketing & Brand, added:
“Orkney Folk Festival is a celebration of culture and heritage to be enjoyed by islanders and visitors alike, and the packed programme for the festival’s 40th year will be a huge draw.
We are committed to supporting Scotland’s island communities and are pleased to have been able to sponsor the event this year and facilitate travel for such a prominent act in the folk music industry. Capercaillie’s performance with Orkney’s young musicians will be a highlight of the weekend.”
Capercaillie is preparing to record full symphonic arrangements of their songs, and the band’s performance at the Orkney Folk Festival will be the second performance of its orchestral suite in Scotland and the first with anywhere with community musicians.
The 40th annual Orkney Folk Festival will be held between 25th-28th May 2023, with Capercaillie performing in the Pickaquoy Centre on Friday.
For more information, visit orkneyfolkfestival.com or to book flights, visit loganair.co.uk.
