‘Music is at the heart of all that we do here at The Dell’
... It’s our rhythm, our soundtrack and the way in which we connect with each other, our guests and our community.
Many of you will have attended performances we have staged in our corner of the Spey valley. These gigs have brought us great joy and, judging by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our audiences, this feeling is shared. 
We desperately want to continue staging these unique evenings of music, song and Highland hospitality in our woodland setting.
But, to do this, we need your help.
Our venue in the woods has limited capacity, so ticket sales are not huge. Each time we stage a gig, we hire expensive PA, lighting and staging equipment.
Add this together with paying and hosting artists… well, the numbers don’t stack up
The funding picture for the cultural scene in Scotland is increasingly gloomy, with organisations such as Creative Scotland suffering from an ever growing lack of government support. This has made it incredibly challenging for small businesses, like The Dell, to access financial support.
So… we need help to purchase the kit which we have to hire each time we stage a gig. The total we are looking to raise will cover a PA system, a stage, suitable speakers and lighting set up as well as an upgrade in our electrical supply and appropriate storage.
Any donation to our crowdfunder, large or small, will make a huge difference. As a thank you, we have a variety of rewards you can claim – with love from us to you.
We’re now in our final weeks of our fundraising campaign, so please, if you’re able to support us in staging these ultra-special nights in the tipi, now is the time.
Excitingly, we have firmed up our first gig of 2025 and have a host of incredible performances in the pipeline. Our hope is to grow and stretch our net to host high profile and international artists, alongside incredible homegrown talent we have welcomed to the tipi.
You'll be helping to fund a small revolution which leads to the sense of joy, wonder and community a wonderful gig can offer. You'll also be playing a part in supporting the growth of a vibrant music and arts scene in Scotland's rural communities.
Join The Dell community now and help us spread the joy of live music in our unique setting.
Every little bit will help us turn up the volume and spread the joy of our unique Tipi vibes.
We promise to make it worth your while.
Polly, Ross, Dawn and The Dell team x
"…the Dell of Abernethy is a place where magic happens. Situated just outside the woodland village of Nethy Bridge, in the heart of the Cairngorms, life at The Dell revolves around its self-catering accommodation, a rinky dinky grocer and various public and private events, including workshops and gigs.
"Ross and Polly Cameron are the host and hostess with the mostest and their passion is live music.
"This is why we are here tonight. Gigs in the tipi, formerly the set for BBC 2’s Winter, Spring and Autumn Watch, are small, intimate affairs. There’s a small stage, a fire crackling away in the middle of the tent and a well-stocked bar which keeps music lovers refreshed. It’s like a cool, indie Narnia. The kind of venue promoters probably see in their dreams."
From Jan Patience's Airts & Pairts review of Kathryn Joseph gig, August 2025