Some of Scotland’s brightest musical talents will perform at Robert Burns Ellisland Farm in a Winter events programme launched this week.
Singer song-writer Siobhan Miller headlines the annual Christmas Youth Concert, while Robyn Stapleton performs at an event celebrating Jean Armour in February. Hogmanay sees a “Bring in the Bells” party at the place where Auld Lang Syne was written. In January, families will be able to bring their children to a daytime Burns Supper.
Siobhan is the only artist to win the MG Alba Scots “Singer of the Year” award three times. She brings her band to the poet’s farm on 10 December to share the stage with local young talent in an annual highlight organised by Ellisland’s youth ambassador, Rose Byers, herself an accomplished singer.
Siobhan recently released her fifth album, Bloom, which includes collaborations with Eddie Reader and Orcadian guitarist Kris Drever. MOJO magazine praised it for the “real tenderness” of Siobhan’s vocals while Radio Four’s Samira Ahmed described the Midlothian singer as “one of the brightest talents on the traditional folk scene”
Tickets are also expected to sell fast for the “Bring in the Bells at the Home of Auld Lang Syne” on Hogmanay. Local band Boglemufty will get the party started in the Tam o Shanter barn and there will be traditional Winter warmer food.
The Burns Brunch for all ages on Sunday 22 January will be a shorter version of the traditional Burns Supper – but won’t skimp on the haggis or poetry. It is designed as a “taster” to introduce Burns to younger audiences – but will be open to all.
Robyn Stapleton, one of the finest Burns singers in Scotland, will perform on Jean Armour’s birthday on Saturday 25 February. The evening will reflect various aspects of Jean’s life, particularly in Dumfries and Galloway. A special menu will be based on her cookery book, currently in the Burns House, Dumfries, which includes one of the first recipes for curry in Britain.
Launching the Winter season, Robert Burns Ellisland Trust Business Development Manager Joan McAlpine said:
“Siobhan and Robyn are big names in the world of contemporary Scottish Music and it’s very exciting to have them sing in the barn that Burns built. The majority of events will appeal to all ages. We know families sometimes struggle to find events that suit them on Hogmanay, so where better than the very place Auld Lang Syne was written? Similarly, most Burns Suppers go on late into the evening – something that doesn’t suit everyone – our Burns Brunch is a taster event in daytime”
Tickets for all the events are available from the Mid Steeple Box Office and can be bought online here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/holywood-road/robert-burns-ellisland-farm
Members of the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust will receive a 20% discount and there are reductions for children at most events. The programme is made possible by the support Ellisland has received from the Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Fund, Museums and Galleries Scotland and The Holywood Trust.
