Hamish really does matter

The Hamish Matters Festival will commence Wednesday 7th and run until Saturday 10th November. In its second year running the festival seeks to celebrate the life of Hamish Henderson, Scottish poet, songwriter, soldier and intellectual.

The festival will take place in venues across Blairgowrie over the 4 days. It will see an abundance of talented performers in the form of poetry, folk and storytelling. The festival started last year after a documentary was produced about Hamish Henderson’s life. Having been premiered at Glasgow Film Festival, Perthshire locals called for it to be screened in his birthplace. Out of last year’s screening the Hamish Matters Festival was born at the hands of enthusiastic locals.

Hamish Henderson was a Scottish poet, songwriter, soldier and intellectual who was born in Blairgowrie on November 11th 1919. Henderson has been referred to as the founding father of Scotland’s 20th century folk scene – not a bad title, huh?

This year the festival is even bigger and better, pulling out all the stops to celebrate not only Hamish but current local talent. Highlights include a talk from Fred Freeman on Hamish – tickets for this event are free and can be collected from Blairgowrie library. Other events include Gigs & Dreels on Thursday evening. An evening of poetry music and banter (i’ll be the judge of that!) featuring Jim Mackintosh, Stuart Paterson, Jon Plunkett and Morag Anderson. This event also includes a pie and a pint with the ticket…why would you not go?

There will be local school groups performing poems and songs as well as storytelling sessions on Friday. There is a bookbug session for babies, toddlers and preschoolers on Saturday as well. The festival will close with a Cèilidh on Saturday night featuring Iona Fyfe, The Mad Ferret Band, Mischa Macpherson and Margaret Bennett to name a few. There is definitely be something for everyone at this year’s Hamish Matters Festival.

Perthshire poet Jim Mackintosh, one of the team members who organised this year’s Festival, said “It’s important we take care of our heritage, be proud of our various cultures and celebrate them whether they stand alone or sit comfy thegither weaving words and song into joy.”

“Hamish Henderson recognised and embraced all of that but most importantly appreciated that the folks who created our culture and those who continue to do so today have a rightful place on the World stage – and oanyweys Hamish Matters is aboot haein a richt guid hooley wi yer pals and aiblins makin neu yins!”

I will be heading through on Thursday night, a brilliant opportunity to watch some of our wonderful local talent and pay homage to a key figure in Perthshire’s historic culture. Show your support for Perthshire’s outrageous talent and head along to one of these brilliant events – you’ll definitely not be disappointed.

For more information on events & tickets head over to the Facebook page @HamishMatters and you can also follow the festival on Twitter @HamishMatters