This is a unique opportunity to study with two of Scotland’s most talented folk musicians. Finlay and Ali will be on Vancouver Island and in Vancouver from June 13 to June 22, 2025. There are workshops, concerts and private lessons all happening. Develop your skills on pipes, Small pipes, whistle or guitar accompaniment.
Workshops will have limited attendance (10 per instructor) to keep your experience productive. Private lessons will allow a more personalized experience.
There are also several concerts planned where you will be able to experience the chemistry of Finlay and Ali Live, up close and personal. It will be a wild ride pushing the boundaries of traditional folk music.
Western Canada 2025 Tour
| Date | Workshop/Concert | Address | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday June 14, 2025 | Duncan Workshop | 2080 Hampton Rd, | 9::00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Saturday June 14, 2025 | Duncan Concert | Valley Seniors Center, 198 Government St | 7:00 PM |
| Sunday June 15, 2025 | Duncan Workshop | 2080 Hampton Rd | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Mon/Tues June 16-17 | Cowichan Private workshop | 2080 Hampton Rd | |
| Tuesday June 17, 2025 | Victoria Concert | Scottish Comm. Center 1803 Admirals Rd | 7:00 PM |
| Wed June 18, 2025 | Duncan Culinary night and Session | 2080 Hampton Rd | |
| Thursday June 19, 2025 | Private Lessons | 2080 Hampton Rd | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Thursday June 19, 2025 | Qualicum Concert | Rotary House, 211 Fern St | 7:00 PM |
| Friday June 20, 2025 | Comox Workshop | Merville Hall, 1245 Fenwick Rd | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Saturday June 21, 2025 | BC Highland Games/ScotFest | (judging and performance) | |
| Sunday June 22, 2025 | Vancouver Workshop | Brockton School, 3467 Duval, N. Vancouver | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Sunday June 22, 2025 | Langley Concert | Murrayville Hall, 216667 48th Ave | 7:00 PM |
Biographies
Finlay MacDonald
Finlay MacDonald has been at the cutting edge of piping, teaching and composing for over 20 years, gaining an international reputation as a highly skilled performer and an inspirational leader in this field. With 4 recorded albums, 2 books of music published along, touring experience across 4 continents with a variety of traditional music groups and competing with Scottish Power Pipe Band, he has extensive knowledge of the world of piping. He oversaw the development of the BMus degree programme run in conjunction with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in his 12 years as of the head of Piping Studies on the BMus degree course and has been part of the production team for the Piping Live! Festival since its inception. He has worked with orchestras and Tattoos around the world to develop new music and to bring piping to the wider musical community.
In June 2020, Finlay was appointed as Director of Piping at the National Piping Centre and Artistic Director of Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival
Ali Hutton
Ali, from Methven in Perthshire, was inspired at the age of 7 to take up the bagpipes and rose through the ranks of the world famous Vale of Atholl Pipe Band. It was there that he was taught, alongside Ross Ainslie, by the late, great Gordon Duncan. He has since gone on to become a successful multi-instrumentalist on the Scottish folk music scene. His arsenal includes Bagpipes, Whistle and Guitars. Ali has performed and worked alongside some of the most respected musicians and bands on the scene such as Capercaillie, Dougie Maclean, Carlos Nunez, Deaf Shepherd, Clueless, Steve Forman, Salsa Celtica, and Shooglenifty to name but a few. During his apprentice years as a professional musician he was fortunate enough to become a member of the multi award winning bands Brolum and Back of the Moon, touring with them for several years across Europe and North America. Back of the Moon went on to win ‘Scottish Folk Band of the Year’ at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards in 2005, with their album nominated for ‘Album of the Year’.
Ali has also found himself producing some of the most well received Scottish Folk albums in recent years. In 2007 he co-produced Maeve Mackinnon’s award-winning album, ‘Don’t Sing Love Songs’ which was performed in the ‘Classic Albums’ series at Glasgow’s international folk, roots and world music festival, Celtic Connections in 2008. In 2015 he was nominated for ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards, the same year in which Treacherous Orchestra’s album ‘Grind’, coproduced by Ali, won ‘Album of the Year’.
His recent project, ‘Symbiosis’ which he shares with lifelong friend and fellow piper Ross Ainslie has released two albums to critical acclaim. Ross and Ali were named best duo in the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2017 and were nominated again in 2018.
Ali currently performs around the world with Old Blind Dogs, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton’s ‘Symbiosis’, Treacherous Orchestra, Malin Lewis, Jocelyn Petit and Ellen Gira, and Tryst.
Workshop Fee: $75 per day
9:00 AM 4:00 PM Limited to 20 Participants per day
Private Lesson: $75 (50 minutes)
Concert Fee: $25
Culinary Night: $75
Cook with Finlay, Ali and guests. Limited to 15 attendees. Dinner, Beverages and session to follow. Bring your instrument
For more information:
To reigister for a workshop or purchase tickets, contact Gord Pollock gordpollock1@gmail.com 250-732-8250
Win A Set of Derek Marr Bl.ackwood Pipes
Played By Finlay MacDonald On This Tour
Only 100 Tickets Available
$50 per Ticket
Sponsored by The Cowichan Pipes and Drums
BC Gaming License # 162073
Contact : Gord Pollock
gordpollock1@gmail.com