Faoinsgeul Loch Maruibhe | The Legend of Loch Maree with Brian Ó hEadhra | Fionnag NicChoinnich
Loch Torridon Community Centre, Torridon, IV22 2EZ
Friday 11th September 2026
Faoinsgeul Loch Maruibhe, The Legend of Loch Maree, is the Blas 2026 commission by leading Highland fiddle player Graham MacKenzie. The work is inspired by a print by the late Margaret Robertson, which hung in the home where Graham grew up and first introduced him to the story.
Robertson’s image depicts the Legend of Loch Maree: a tragic Highland tale of a local princess who falls in love with Olaf, a Norwegian prince. With its themes of love, misunderstanding and loss, the story is often described as a Highland echo of Romeo and Juliet.
The newly composed music and traditional songs will represent the themes of loyalty, love, longing, bravery, betrayal and mystery.
Graham has an amazing line-up of some of the finest traditional musicians, including Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes, Innes Watson (guitar), Rory Matheson (piano) and Conal McDonagh (whistle/pipes).
Brian Ó hEadhra and Fionnag NicChoinnich perform traditional and contemporary songs from the Gaelic, Scots, and Irish traditions, inspired by the North Atlantic fringe.
Based in Inverness, the duo brings together Brian’s roots in Newfoundland and Dublin with Fionnag’s upbringing on the Isle of Lewis. Over 25 years, they have performed globally, recording for film, gaming, and acclaimed acts like Anam, Cruinn, and Mackenzie. Fionnag was named MG ALBA Gaelic Singer of the Year in 2020, following Brian’s nomination in 2019.
Their three albums—TÌR, TUATH, and Càirdeas—have earned widespread critical acclaim. Irish Music Magazine lauded TUATH as a "masterpiece" and Càirdeas as "a work of deep cultural importance."
Described by World Music Central as "two extraordinary artists... and some of the best voices in the world of Gaelic language," they remain at the forefront of contemporary tradition.
Robertson’s image depicts the Legend of Loch Maree: a tragic Highland tale of a local princess who falls in love with Olaf, a Norwegian prince. With its themes of love, misunderstanding and loss, the story is often described as a Highland echo of Romeo and Juliet.
The newly composed music and traditional songs will represent the themes of loyalty, love, longing, bravery, betrayal and mystery.
Graham has an amazing line-up of some of the finest traditional musicians, including Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes, Innes Watson (guitar), Rory Matheson (piano) and Conal McDonagh (whistle/pipes).
Brian Ó hEadhra and Fionnag NicChoinnich perform traditional and contemporary songs from the Gaelic, Scots, and Irish traditions, inspired by the North Atlantic fringe.
Based in Inverness, the duo brings together Brian’s roots in Newfoundland and Dublin with Fionnag’s upbringing on the Isle of Lewis. Over 25 years, they have performed globally, recording for film, gaming, and acclaimed acts like Anam, Cruinn, and Mackenzie. Fionnag was named MG ALBA Gaelic Singer of the Year in 2020, following Brian’s nomination in 2019.
Their three albums—TÌR, TUATH, and Càirdeas—have earned widespread critical acclaim. Irish Music Magazine lauded TUATH as a "masterpiece" and Càirdeas as "a work of deep cultural importance."
Described by World Music Central as "two extraordinary artists... and some of the best voices in the world of Gaelic language," they remain at the forefront of contemporary tradition.
