Doric Festival

Information about the annual Doric Festival held in locations around Aberdeenshire with a range of activities such as folk singing, ballad songs, poetry readings and concerts


For over 20 years the Doric Festival has been celebrating the North East of Scotland's unique language during a two week programme in late September to October. 2019 dates to be confirmed. Events take place in towns and villages such as Portsoy, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie and Turrif in a range of venues like Town Halls, village halls and scout huts.


See also the Across the Grain Doric Festival Aberdeenshire.

Performers include the storyteller Sheena Blackhall, singer Barbara Ann Burnett, The Fochaber Fiddlers and bothy ballads from Geordie Murison. Together they help to keep our mither tongue alive for generations young and old.


Popular events include storytelling, singing competitions and writing contests where entrants can write a poem, play or story in Doric and also ceilidh dancing classes.


Our dialect sees its roots in farming and these traditions are demonstrated through open farm days and vintage ploughing competitions.


A recent event, held at the Woodend Barn in Banchory is the Atomic Doric festival weekend.

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