Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival
Shetland’s two most popular instruments are the accordion and the fiddle. This tradition is celebrated during the annual four-day Accordion & Fiddle Festival, held in mid-October. The festival concentrates on Scottish Dance music and features both local musicians and performers from around the world.
As with the Shetland Folk Festival, the Accordion & Fiddle Festival reaches all parts of the islands and involves a great deal of community participation.
The highlight of the festival is the Grand Dance - one of the largest traditional dances to take place in the UK. Around a dozen bands play virtually non-stop accordion and fiddle music to 1,500 dancers in the local sports centre.
“The festival is a must for anyone who enjoys the sound of traditional music and has the stamina to absorb it for four hectic days.” - www.shetland-music.com
