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In celebration of the Royal National Mòd being in Paisley we’re putting a spotlight on some of our own trad musicians.
Fergus Dorrington was one of Renfrewshire’s young pipers to mark the opening of the nine- day festival which showcases the best in Gaelic music, language, and culture.
The 16-year-old was part of the Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band that bagged first place in the novice category at the World Pipe Band Championships in August.
Fergus said: “I felt ecstatic after winning the Worlds and it’s a feeling and memory I will never forget. Straight after getting on the bus to go home from Glasgow Green, we were singing and dancing the whole way back to the band hall where we had a well-earned party.”
Fergus, who attends Johnstone High School, has been playing the bagpipes for the last five years.
He said: “The thing I love most about playing the bagpipes is the friends and memories you make and the amazing experiences and opportunities it gives.
“I’ve done everything from playing with a trad band in Islay, busking and playing at piping solos, to getting to play at the Usher Hall with the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland! I’ve also performed at the Paisley Abbey for events with the Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band.”
Speaking ahead of the Mòd starting in the town Fergus said: “I’m really excited for the Mòd to be in Paisley as it’s such a massive event with a big community and I can’t wait to play at it with the Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band but also with the house band too!
“For anyone who is not sure whether they like Scottish Trad music, all I’ll say is you should dive right in and see what you like.
“What I enjoy most about Scottish Trad is the culture and wide range of bands out there such as Breabach, Rura, Beatha and all the different approaches and styles that they bring. I also enjoy seeing the familiar faces of friends, family and idols at these events.”
Mar chomharrachadh air a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail a bhith ann am Pàislig tha sinn a’ cur cuideam air cuid den luchd-ciùil thraidiseanta againn fhìn.
Bha Fearghas Dorrington air fear de phìobairean òga Siorrachd Rinn Friù gus fosgladh na fèise a chomharrachadh a bhios a’ ruith airson naoi làithean agus a’ taisbeanadh an fheadhainn as fheàrr ann an ceòl, cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig.
Bha an gille 16-bliadhna na phàirt de Chòmhlan Pìoba Sgoiltean Siorrachd Rinn Friù a choisinn a’ chiad àite ann an roinn luchd-ionnsachaidh aig Farpaisean Còmhlan Pìoba na Cruinne san Lùnastal.
Thuirt Fearghas: “Bha mi air mo dhòigh às dèidh dhomh na Worlds a bhuannachadh agus is e faireachdainn agus cuimhne a th’ ann nach dìochuimhnich mi gu bràth. Dìreach às dèidh dhuinn faighinn air a’ bhus airson a dhol dhachaigh à Glasgow Green, bha sinn a’ seinn agus a’ dannsa fad na slighe air ais gu talla a’ chòmhlain far an robh partaidh air a chosnadh gu math.”
Tha Fearghas, a tha a’ dol gu Àrd-sgoil Johnstone, air a bhith a’ cluich na pìoba airson còig bliadhna.
Thuirt e: “Is e an rud as fheàrr leam mu bhith a’ cluich na pìoba na caraidean agus na cuimhneachain a nì thu agus na h-eòlasan agus na cothroman iongantach a bheir e seachad. Tha mi air a h-uile càil a dhèanamh bho bhith a’ cluich le còmhlan-ciùil ann an Ìle, a’ cluich san t-sràid agus a’ cluich aig aon-neach na pìoba, gu bhith a’ cluich aig Talla Usher le Còmhlan Pìoba Nàiseanta Òigridh na h-Alba! Tha mi cuideachd air cluich aig Abaid Phàislig airson tachartasan còmhla ri Còmhlan Pìoba Sgoiltean Siorrachd Rinn Friù.”
A’ bruidhinn mus tòisich am Mòd sa bhaile thuirt Fearghas: “Tha mi air leth toilichte gu bheil am Mòd ann am Pàislig leis gur e tachartas air leth mòr a th’ ann le coimhearsnachd mhòr agus chan urrainn dhomh feitheamh gus cluich air le Còmhlan Pìoba Sgoiltean Rinn Friù ach cuideachd leis a’ chòmhlan-taighe cuideachd!
“Do dhuine sam bith nach eil cinnteach an toil leotha ceòl Traidiseanta na h-Alba, chan eil agam ach gum bu chòir dhut dàibheadh a-steach agus faicinn dè as toil leat. Is e an rud as motha a tha a’ còrdadh rium mu dheidhinn Trad na h-Alba, an cultar agus an raon fharsaing de chòmhlain a-muigh an sin leithid Breabach, Rura, Beatha agus na diofar dhòighean-obrach agus stoidhlichean a tha aca. Tha e a’ còrdadh rium cuideachd a bhith a’ faicinn aghaidhean eòlach charaidean, teaghlaich agus iodhal aig na tachartasan sin.”
