Christmas is always full of memories for everyone at the Trust, not just for the season that’s in it, but it would have been Fraser’s 39th birthday today – 23rd December – so we raise a glass in memory.

At the end of 2018, we announced the release of a limited edition hand bottled Valinch from Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay. There were only 6 individually numbered bottles, emblazoned with Fraser’s crest, generously donated by the distillery to be sold by the Trust. These were sold in March to various collectors, which raised a whooping £900 for the Trust.

In early 2019, The Fraser Shaw Trust launched a funding initiative which welcomed individuals and organisations to apply for grants in order to encourage and enable participation in traditional music. This may take a variety of forms, such as supporting the purchase of instruments, music studies, facilitating involvement in concerts/competitions or the composition of new music. Whilst the funding is open to all, the trust is particularly keen to support people from Islay or people with a connection to the island.

The Trust were able to support three projects via the funding initiative in the first quarter of 2019; a trip to Glasgow’s prestigious Celtic Connections festival for some young Islay musicians, a trip to compete in the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship in Livingston for the Islay High School Pipe Group, and the purchase of three sets of electronic pipes for the Falkirk Traditional Music Project.

In June, the Trust held the first Fraser Shaw Feis on Islay with tutors Joy Dunlop, Jeri Foreman and Ross Miller. September saw the annual Shawfest Festival in Glasgow, and in November, the Trust supported festival Islay Sessions took place, with a meet and a dram at Fraser’s bench on the Sunday afternoon, and a growing turnout each year!

Our  end of year donations are £1000 to the MS Centre in Lochilphead, and £1000 to Help Musicians UK.

Plans are currently underway to install a Solar Audio Post beside Fraser’s seat at Bruichladdich Distillery. This external in-ground audio point will play music from the Mac Ile album, when activated by buttons and powered completely by solar energy. It has also our plan to build a cairn at the spring where Fraser’s final resting place is. It is our hope that both will help tell our story to visitors of Islay, and thus raise awareness of the cause.

Grants of £500 will be available in 2020 for individuals and organisations in need of a financial boost to play/compose/participate in anything music related. Please get in touch via frasershawtrust@gmail.com

A big merry Christmas and happy new year, and thanks to all our supporters!