Taigh Dhonnchaidh Extension

Aim

We aim to extend our premises considerably to be able to offer further tuition and events throughout the year to the people of the community

Who are we?

Taigh Dhonnchaidh offers year-round musical and arts activities primarily to the youth of the community. We hold evening classes throughout the school year involving piping, melodeon, piano accordion, fiddle, Gaelic singing and, most recently, ceilidh dancing for adults. There are up to 50 children and young people participating in classes over 40 weeks each year. In addition, an annual Easter Fèis (traditional Gaelic music and cultural festival) is held where up to 50 children aged between 4-18 attend and learn for a week, culminating in a concert attended by families and the wider community. Over recent years, participation levels have increased as music tuition has been reduced from the school curriculum.

Other events are also delivered such as a monthly cinema, pop-up restaurants/cafes, gaming nights for teenagers, ‘open-mic’ nights, a duck race, Halloween competitions, Ceòl Nis, and an annual barbecue. There is an international flavour to our activities as TD hosts visits from other similar groups from across the world, particularly Ireland and Norway in recent years. Taigh Dhonnchaidh is also home to the Ness Melodeon Band which meets every Thursday to play through a repertoire of traditional tunes together.

The existing premises themselves are an important part of the region’s heritage, having been bequeathed to Comunn Eachdraidh Nis by Duncan 'Major' Morison, noted musician and teacher. Our local area has a tremendous richness of culture with Gaelic being the language spoken in the community with Taigh Dhonnchaidh situated in the heart of it all, giving the next generation tuition and experiences that will continue to add to our unique culture. 

Why are we crowdfunding?

At present, Taigh Dhonnchaidh provides the only musical tuition within 30 miles of the district. Children are offered classes in a multitude of traditional instruments and subjects during school term time and several events are run throughout the year which cater for the wider community such as cèilidhs, small concerts, barbecues, film nights and a pop-up restaurant. 

Taigh Dhonnchaidh operates from very small premises (a one-and-a-half-storey house) which restrict our activities and stops our organisation from achieving our cultural and heritage ambitions and leaves no option but to host bigger events outwith the premises. We propose to develop an extension to the existing premises which will allow us to increase capacity to serve new market segments and move to a more sustainable business model.

On completion of the project, the facilities envisaged will offer: a new performance space for dance, music and cinema; a sensory room; a kitchen; office/tuition space; additional storage; improved toilet accommodation, extended parking and improved vehicle access.

The objective of the proposal is to develop a cultural hub which serves the entire demographic of the area and provides opportunities for intergenerational transmission to occur, preserving and celebrating the rich culture and heritage of the area.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We will put any money raised towards the extension. This is the beginning of a big project so at this stage every little helps.

Take a look at our website for more information on who we are and what we do.

Our project is part of the 2023 Creative Scotland Crowdmatch competition. Creative Scotland will match individual pledges from the crowd up to £10,000. So if you donate £20 to our cause, your donation will be matched with a £20 pledge from Creative Scotland, effectively doubling your donation!

Nì clachan beaga tric càrn mòr uaireigin!

This project successfully funded on 21st April 2023