Folk Festival kicks off in style

The 31st Orkney Folk Festival got under way in Stromness last night, Thursday, as a capacity audience filled the Town Hall to catch a first glimpse of some of the visiting artistes.

Two local acts – Wrigley and The Reel and The Stromness Royal British Legion Pipe Band – shared the bill with The Boys of the Lough, Rachel Sermanni, Kerr Fagan Harbron and Blazin’ Fiddles in the opening event.

Concerts also took place in Kirkwall and Birsay.

As part of the first day of the Festival, Thursday evening’s Travelling Folk radio program, hosted by Bruce  Macgregor, featured sets from Saltfishforty, Basco, Boys of the Lough and Rachel Sermanni, which had been recorded in the Royal Hotel earlier in the day.

The Festival continues today and throughout Saturday and Sunday.