Wendy MacIsaac

Wendy MacIsaac and her three younger brothers grew up in Creignish, Cape Breton. Her mother, who often taught others to dance, started Wendy dancing with a few steps around the age of five.

Throughout high school, Wendy was kept busy with her talents; not only with fiddle and dancing but as a solo pianist and accompanist.

Wendy is also part of the new Celtic traditional band, Beolach, with a self-titled recording released in 2001.
Wendy first came to Féis Shiàtail in 2002 as a step-dance presenter. This is her third appearance as our fiddle presenter.

Anne Lorne Gillies

Anne Lorne Gillies, is a fluent Gaelic speaker raised in Argyll. At 17, she won a National Mòd Gold Medal. Anne earned her Ph.D. in Gaelic-medium education at Glasgow University. A Renaissance woman of the Gaelic arts, Anne is an accomplished musician, storyteller, language teacher, and author of the prize-winning book, Songs of Gaelic Scotland.

This is Anne's first time at Féis Shiàtail.

Allan MacDonald

Raised in the isolated Gaelic-speaking community of Glenuig, Allan MacDonald started piping when he was nine and went on to pursue a competitive career.

He was at the forefront of efforts to introduce alternative styles of playing light music in the 1970s and 80s. In the more classical genre of Ceòl Mór, he set out to explore the extent to which modern styles of piobaireachd playing differ from those of the early 18th century. This he did by re-uniting piobaireachd with Gaelic language rhythms in song.

He has also published a collection of music, The Moidart Collection, and in 1998 released the highly acclaimed album Fhuair mi Pòg with the Gaelic singer Margaret Stewart. In October 2001, he released a second album Colla mo Rún.

This is Allan's second visit to Féis Shiàtail.

Mary MacMaster

Mary Macmaster is one of the world's leading exponents and innovators on the metal-strung clarsach and the Camac electro-harp. Through her work with the Poozies, Sileas and Shine, her emotive traditional singing, sparkling tunes playing and intricate rhythm work have been an integral part of the developement of Scottish music.

This is Mary's second trip to the Féis.