Mauchline Holy Fair is still Bard to the bone
Running from Saturday May 24 to Saturday May 31, this year's Holy Fair promises an eclectic mix of entertainment and heritage, all culminating in a show-stopping Main Event on the final Saturday. With a packed programme already unveiled – and more acts to be announced in the weeks ahead – this year's festivities are shaping up to be one of the biggest and most diverse yet.
The celebrations begin with a touch of mystery, as Fairburn Hotel hosts a Murder Mystery Night on Saturday May 24, inviting sleuths to crack the case over a thrilling evening of intrigue.
On Tuesday May 27, things take a more academic turn with a lively Quiz Night at the Black Bull Inn, testing locals and visitors alike on their knowledge of Burns and Mauchline's rich local history.
Other highlights across the week include a fascinating Mossgiel Talk at Poosie Nansie's Inn (Monday 26), and on Wednesday 28th, the return of the much-loved 'Burns Women' – a spirited play combining storytelling and song, performed by the Burns Bachelors at the Mauchline KS Club.
Thursday May 29 will see the Songs for All Community Choir and the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra take to the stage at Mauchline Church Hall, bringing with them rousing performances of traditional Scottish music. Then on Friday 30th May, there's a Cosy Night in the Snug at Poosie Nansie's Inn – an intimate celebration of the songs and poetry of Burns, sure to delight fans of the Bard.
The MacDonald Brothers will appear
The grand finale of the week is, of course, Mauchline Holy Fair Day on Saturday May 31. From 11am to 5pm, the village will be transformed into a bustling hub of entertainment, music, and community spirit. A grand parade and pipe band will kick off the day, followed by a range of activities and performances across multiple stages.
On the Main Stage, this year's headliners are none other than The MacDonald Brothers, pictured right inset. Ayrshire's own Craig and Brian MacDonald will bring their celebrated mix of Scot-pop-rock to Mauchline, following a successful international tour. Their multi-instrumental talents and signature vocal harmonies are sure to make for an unforgettable performance.
They'll be joined by the boundary-pushing Unison Anthems, who blend traditional bagpipes with world percussion to perform dynamic covers of artists from Calvin Harris to Adele.
The Holy Fair team are also delighted to be welcoming Jeremy Levif back for 2025. As seen on the Voice UK and The Voice France, Ayrshire-based Levif is a French pop-rock singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, a four-chair turner, semi-finalist of the Voice UK and finalist of The Voice France in 2023!
Also on the bill are the high-energy Borland Ceilidh Band, a staple of Scottish folk festivals known for their infectious enthusiasm and crowd-pleasing sets.
Elsewhere, the Nance Tinnock Stage will be curated once again by the Burns Bachelors, offering poetry, music and storytelling celebrating the enduring legacy of Robert Burns.
There's also the Folk Stand, where leading Ayrshire folk acts will perform throughout the day, and Mauchline Church, which will play host to local artists performing traditional music.
For families, the Holy Fair offers plenty to do, with a fair-style kids' play area, face painting, balloons, Uncle Billy, and vintage vehicle displays.
There will also be an art competition and song and music writing sessions for aspiring creatives of all ages.
The evening will round off in spectacular style with the Saturday Night Final Fling – a village dance held in the Mauchline Club from 7.30pm until late, bringing the week to a rousing close. With a programme that blends history, music, community, and celebration, Mauchline Holy Fair 2025 looks set to be a true highlight of the Scottish cultural calendar.
More acts and details are due to be revealed in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on Mauchline Holy Fair's social media and website for updates. One thing is certain – this year's Holy Fair is not to be missed.
www.mauchlineholyfair.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
33 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Royal Lyceum Theatre: The 'dedicated' Edinburgh theatre boss standing down after six years
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A director of a major Scottish theatre is to step down after six years in the role. Mike Griffiths, who took up the position of joint chief executive and executive director in 2019, is to leave the Royal Lyceum Theatre. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With more than 40 years of experience working in theatre, Mr Griffiths started at the theatre in May 2019, where he navigated it through the Covid-19 pandemic, re-emerging into a turbulent funding landscape for the arts in Scotland. Mr Griffiths's past roles include nine years as administrative director of the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and interim chief executive at Horsecross Arts in Perth. His impending departure was announced at the theatre's official new season programme launch. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Lyceum has recently welcomed James Brining as artistic director, replacing David Greig. Mike Griffiths is standing down as joint chief executive and artistic director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. | Stuart Armitt He said: 'It has been a real privilege to work at The Lyceum over the last six years. It has been challenging, but the support of the Lyceum team and board has been invaluable. I know that with James Brining leading the company, The Lyceum will continue to flourish.' Mr Brining said: 'Mike has made a huge contribution to The Lyceum over his time as executive director. From making changes to internal processes and practice, steering through the challenges of the pandemic and working collaboratively across the city and the sector, Mike has always supported and advocated for the idea of producing the best theatre here in Edinburgh, for Scotland and the world. 'A dedicated internationalist and a source of insight and wisdom always tempered by kindness and warmth, we will miss Mike very much, but wish him well on his next adventure.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chair of the board of directors, Tari Lang, said: 'Mike has had his steady hand on the tiller and provided calm leadership during good and challenging times for the Lyceum, through the pandemic and subsequent funding challenges.
Wales Online
38 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Father and son say starring with Harrison Ford in whisky campaign was ‘surreal'
Father and son say starring with Harrison Ford in whisky campaign was 'surreal' Alan Duff Snr, 62, a veteran production worker, and his son Alan, 31, who has worked at the distillery since 2016, have almost 40 years of experience between them, and they appear in a quarter of the 12 adverts made for the Glenmorangie campaign Once Upon A Time In Scotland Harrison Ford A father and son who work together at the Glenmorangie Distillery said it was "surreal" to appear alongside Harrison Ford in a marketing campaign filmed for the whisky brand. Alan Duff Snr, 62, a veteran production worker, and his son Alan, 31, who has worked at the distillery since 2016, have almost 40 years of experience between them, and they appear in a quarter of the 12 adverts made for the Glenmorangie campaign Once Upon A Time In Scotland. The episodic ads are directed by actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton, and feature the Star Wars actor playing himself as they follow the production of Glenmorangie Original 12 Years Old and The Infinita 18 Years Old, in Tain. The adverts, being shown on TV and social media and also available on YouTube, are said by Glenmorangie to celebrate "the significance of its home, its craftsmanship and the people that make its award-winning whiskies". Ford is shown on film getting to grips with Scottish pronunciation and kilt etiquette, bonding with locals over a dram, and getting to know the Duff family. In the second ad, The Campaign, Ford arrives and after mistaking Mr Duff Jnr for another Alan in another department, is given a lesson on how to pronounce Glenmorangie correctly. Article continues below Mr Duff Jnr, a production operator, said: "I was very proud to be chosen to play opposite Harrison. You knew you were in the presence of someone so successful, but he made us all feel so comfortable and gave me the advice to just be myself on screen." He joined the distillery nine years ago after graduating from university, and said the Hollywood star made him forget they were being filmed. Mr Duff Jnr said: "Filming the scene itself was a lot of fun, but totally surreal. He is such a good actor, I was in awe watching him and sometimes didn't know when he was in or out of character. "He kept me on my toes when he went off script but gave me the space to wing it and bounce off of him, so much so I forgot the cameras were there. "Not all fathers and sons have the opportunity to learn alongside each other so I consider myself lucky to get to work with my father every day, and sharing the experience acting alongside Harrison Ford together is something I'll never forget." In the fifth advert, The Distillery, Ford meets the whole production team, including the father and son due, and he jokes to Mr Duff Snr: "Ahhhh... he's your fault." Ford then instructs Mr Duff Jnr: "Look after me car" – a rare Eagle Speedster Jaguar E-type. In the 10th episode, called Teamwork, Ford raises his glass to toast "the good people of Glenmorangy" – before being corrected again by Mr Duff Jnr, who tells him: "It's Glenmorangie." Mr Duff Snr, a production operator for nearly 30 years, said: "I was quite nervous to 'act' alongside a global icon like Harrison Ford, but he was a gem of a guy and it was great to see him working. Article continues below "My son Alan managed to grow quite a rapport with him, so when Harrison uncovered the fact I was his father, we all had a joke about that."
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Drawings by Roald Dahl for memoir Boy to be sold at auction
Drawings by Roald Dahl for memoir Boy to be sold at auction The sketches were produced by Dahl in black ballpoint pen for Boy, which was published in 1984 (Image: Getty Images ) Original drawings children's author Roald Dahl produced for his memoir are to be sold at auction after being found in an envelope which belonged to a colleague. The sketches were produced by Dahl in black ballpoint pen for Boy, which was published in 1984. Dahl died in 1990 aged 74 and Boy is the only book which he produced illustrations for during his career of almost five decades. The sketches will be sold in Edinburgh as part of Lyon & Turnbull's books and manuscripts sale on Wednesday. They are part of a collection estimated to sell for between £20,000 and £30,000. In his memoir, Dahl recalled various childhood exploits, including playing a prank with his friends on the local sweetshop owner, Mrs Pratchett, by putting a dead mouse in a gobstopper jar. Article continues below Dahl drew a mouse lying on top of the sweets with its legs in the air to illustrate the escapade. He had being approached to help by publishing house Jonathan Cape as his usual illustrator, Quentin Blake, was on holiday. The drawings were found in an envelope marked "Dahl's drawings & odds and sods" which belonged to Ian Craig, the art director at Jonathan Cape. Mr Craig, who died in 2023, created the final illustrations for the book, inspired by Dahl's drawings, and received a blue cashmere cardigan as a gift from the author. The sketches being auctioned are part of the production archive for Boy from Mr Craig's estate. Mr Craig oversaw the production of Boy and the archive includes his designs, as well as the original page layouts and correspondence. He also came up with the title, and received a letter from Dahl saying: "I must thank you for coming up with the first sensible title for my book. 'Boy' is fine. We all like it..." Mr Craig, who grew up in Ipswich, was a graduate of Edinburgh College of Art and joined Jonathan Cape in 1973, five years before Dahl began a partnership with illustrator Blake. His widow Kate Craig, who also worked at Jonathan Cape, said: "The publication of Boy was on a very tight publication schedule. "As Quentin Blake was away on holiday, Ian asked Dahl if he could help with the illustrations. "Dahl ended up producing a variety of sketches which Ian used as inspiration for his own drawings. "Ian never got paid for the illustrations, but Dahl did give him one of his trademark blue cashmere cardigans as a thank-you, which he treasured." Dominic Somerville-Brown, Lyon & Turnbull's rare books and manuscripts specialist, said: "It's absolutely thrilling to see Roald Dahl's one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn sketches up close. "They are a unique addition to his canon and allow us to observe the transformation of his childhood memories into the printed form, a medium in which they would be cherished by generations of readers. "Ian Craig undoubtedly played a key role in Dahl's publishing success, overseeing not only the production of Boy, but many more of his famous children's stories. Article continues below "This archive gives an insight into the creative processes behind a book still enjoyed by children across the world today."
