66 Youngsters on Mull aged 3 to 18 participated in a long weekend of traditional Scottish music recently, as the event continues to build popularity over recent years.

The Fèis has been a feature on the island since the 1990s – which again returned to Bunessan, in the south of the island, on 6-8 February.

Part of the larger Fèisean nan Gàidheal body which organises similar events across Scotland, the Mull Fèis offers many of the island’s youngsters their first taste of Scottish music.

Seven accomplished musicians provided tuition in the fiddle, accordion, pipes, keyboard, Gaelic song, guitar and drums, with all instruments provided to ensure that even complete beginners can take part.

‘It is a great opportunity for the youngsters to get taught by some of the best musicians in the country, many of which had come straight off the stage at Celtic Connections, to head over to Mull’ said Alan Palmer, member of the Fèis Mhuile organising committee and Financial and Commercial Manager for local business Inverlussa Marine Services, one of four aquaculture focussed event sponsors.

‘We also know that immersion in cultural activity can help bolster the resilience and well-being of communities and individuals. Participation in the Fèis not only increases skills in young people but also builds their self-esteem, confidence and a sense of identity.

Palmer, himself an accordion player in local band Treshnish, who also sponsored the event, with proceeds from their Ross of Mull September Sessions festival last year, continued.

‘We split the age groups so there’s a Fèis beag for nursery age, up to Primary Two, focusing on arts and crafts, games and Gaelic song.

‘Then, from Primary Three all the way through secondary, there are two days of classes, where they receive tuition on their two choices of instrument.’

‘We had bumper numbers last year in Fèis beag, and it was fantastic to see them all transition into the main Fèis this year to gain their first experience of instrument tuition.’

‘After over a decade at the helm Jen and Andy Johnston will be taking a more supporting role in future Fèisean so it was fantastic to get record numbers of 66 participants at their final one, to highlight the fantastic legacy they leave behind.”

In addition to Inverlussa, which has a fleet of 24 vessels, mostly servicing the salmon farming sector, local salmon companies Scottish Sea Farms, Bakkafrost Scotland and TSL Contractors, also involved in large aquaculture infrastructure projects, are also providing vital sponsorship for the event.

Scottish Sea Farms Area Manager for Mull, and dad of three, Andrew MacLeannan, said: ‘Aquaculture is a key contributor to coastal communities in terms of supporting charities and other good causes, providing jobs and investing in transferable skills.

‘Farming local means supporting local, so sponsoring the Fèis is a natural fit. It introduces many children to a lifetime love of traditional Scottish music and gives the whole community a boost.’

TSL Contractors Business Development Manager Naomi Knight, said: ‘TSL Contractors was proud to sponsor Feis Mhuile. Supporting children in rural communities and celebrating the vital role of aquaculture on Mull and nearby islands helps ensure these communities thrive for generations to come.’

The funding awarded will go towards the cost of running the Fèis, helping reduce the price of attending the event and make it more accessible and affordable for families.

Bakkafrost Scotland Area Manager Zane Pretorius said: “The Fèis Mhuile weekend was another resounding success and saw so many local children get the chance to receive tuition from leading musicians.

“Aquaculture is part of the fabric of life on Mull and it is important to us at Bakkafrost Scotland that we embrace our communities by supporting great cultural initiatives like this.”