MacGregor’s Gathering

Why get involved?

Do you have a passion for your community? Do you get a thrill from bringing people together to celebrate life through music, song and dance? Do you want to get involved in something just a bit different? 

We love the spirit of the ceilidh and the session, with music bringing people of all ages and backgrounds togther. We want the spontanaeity and excitement that you get from throwing musicians together. We want to break down the barriers between stage and audience and create a truly organic musical experience for all. 

Bruce MacGregor hosts "MacGregor's Gathering"  in Inverness. It is a centre of music and creativity with thousands of performers, music lovers, poets and dancers making their way to the hub in Inverness

What if we were to take that experience to your community?

What would it look like? 

We'd start the weekend with workshops in music. The classes will be for all but we'll also identify those that will work with us on stage. We will provide the backing band to local singers, pipers and fiddlers and we'll create a show over the weekend that will be ideal for a rip roaring Saturday night. After the concert  we'll start the ceilidh dance, bringing everyone together.

But this is more than just another show. 

We'll dress every village hall up so this feels like a bit of musical theatre. You'll be transported to a 'bar' and the barriers between stage and audience will be removed. 

All of this will be broadcast online using a professional sound, lighting system and cameras. Not only will the community be bound together on the evening, it will be there for posterity. A snap shot of your community in time.   

Who is behind it all?

Bruce MacGregor will host the shows and create the musical team that will come to your hall. Bruce was founder of Blazin' Fiddles, three times winner of Best Folk Band at the Trad Awards. He founded, and continues to run, Blazin' in Beauly, the week-long music school. He also presented BBC Scotland's Travelling Folk for a decade and he co-founded MacGregor's Bar, twice winner of Visit Scotland's "Best bar" and a four time winner of the Scottish Licensed Trade Awards. 

Jo De Sylva, co-owner of MacGregor's has huge experience working as a producer and presenter with both BBC and Sky on TV, Radio and Live Events. She has worked with some of the most incredible musical acts over the years ranging from Paulo Nutini to the rising young star, Michael Lewis.