About Lochaber Live
Lochaber Live is a vibrant celebration of Scottish music and culture, set against the stunning backdrop of Fort William. Originally a cornerstone of the Highland music scene in the 1980s and 1990s, the festival made a triumphant return in 2024 after a 30-year hiatus, thanks to the efforts of renowned musician and broadcaster Gary Innes, who also created the record-breaking and history-making Hoolie in the Hydro. As a Spean Bridge native, Gary wanted to see his hometown festival restored to its former glory in a way that reflects Scotland’s thriving traditional music scene today.
The festival’s visual identity reflects the pride of the region, with nods to Ben Nevis, and the legendary red tassels presented to Lochaber fiddlers by much-loved local teacher Aonghas Grant BEM. These tassels are handed to players once they reach a high enough calibre to hang from their instrument as a badge of honour, and their inclusion in the logo acknowledges Aonghas’ lifelong dedication to the area, having taught fiddle to hundreds of children across over five decades.
A Historic Revival
The 2024 revival of Lochaber Live took place in a tented venue on the An Aird Shinty Field, drawing approximately 7,000 attendees over three days, and bringing together Scottish talent with strong local connections. Highlights included Tide Lines, four-piece led by Fort William’s own Robert Robertson; Mànran, bringing home their powerhouse presence; the legendary Wolfstone, who headlined the original festival 30 years prior. Other standout acts included Gaelic supergroup Dàimh from west Lochaber and Skye; Shooglenifty, founded by the late Angus Grant, son of Lochaber fiddle legend Aonghas Grant; Ireland’s much-loved Sharon Shannon Trio; Fort William festival favourites Hò-rò; Spean Bridge singer and guitarist Little Win; and the inimitable Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band.
The festival coincided with the prestigious Camanachd Cup Final, Scotland's national shinty final, adding a unique sporting dimension to the cultural festivities .
Lochaber Live 2025
The 2025 festival will now be taking place in the Nevis Centre, rather than the venue on An Aird Shinty field as originally planned.
Building on the success of the revival, Lochaber Live 2025 took place from Friday 12th - Sunday 14th September, moving to the local Nevis Centre. The three-day festival again featured ticketed events on Friday and Saturday, with the free family Sunday including a live recording of BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor, hosted by festival director Gary Innes. The festival delivered a weekend full of energetic performances and rich musical diversity, bringing together Scottish and Irish artists. Highlights including West Coast legends Trail West bringing their unique sound; returning headliners Mànran, fresh from their new album release in August; Skye-based Peatbog Faeries, known for their fusion of traditional and electronic music; and Fort William’s own Breabach, celebrating their 20th anniversary. The line-up also featured legendary Scottish vocalist Karen Matheson; fiddle-led quartet FARA; Anglo-Irish folk band Flook; and acclaimed Irish folk artist Cara Dillon, returning to the festival after performing there at just 16 years old. The festival also showcased emerging local artists Cù Glas and the Amber Thornley Trio, while Sunday’s event featured The Robert Robertson Dance Band and The Martainn Skene Dance Band, with audiences joining in traditional ceilidh dancing.
The festival celebrated both local talent and Scotland’s wider traditional music scene, creating a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere for music fans of all ages. By bringing together established headliners and emerging artists, Lochaber Live fosters a strong sense of community and connection through music. Its mix of energetic performances and cultural celebration reinforces the festival’s place as a highlight of the Scottish cultural calendar and a must-experience event for anyone passionate about Scotland’s musical heritage.
Lochaber Live organiser, broadcaster and musician Gary Innes, said on announcing the 2024 festival: “My home area is so special to me, so it fills me with pride to be rebooting one of the most beloved music events Lochaber has ever seen. It’s only right that Lochaber will once again have its own festival which really reflects the breadth of talent and love of traditional music in the region. It’s 30 years since the last Lochaber Live. I played at the very last one aged just 12 at the Nevis Centre in Fort William. A lot has happened in the intervening three decades and with the profile and platform of traditional music now at what feels like an all-time high, it seems like the perfect time to try and resurrect a cultural event that people locally still have such fond memories of.”
