The Fraser Shaw Trust would like to say a big warm thank you to everybody who has supported us in 2017, particularly our event sponsors; The Port Charlotte Hotel, Bruichladdich and Ardbeg, and also Natalie Somerville who raised an amazing £1700 running the London Marathon. We have had an action packed year with the launches of Mac Ìle: The Music of Fraser Shaw – both album and tune book, as well as our annual festival Shawfest.

The Trust are extremely pleased to be making a donation of £5000 to the Multiple Sclerosis Centre Mid Argyll, which will go towards a complete renovation of the centre in Lochgilphead. Fraser had intended on donating the proceeds of his book here, his local MS Centre, a place he received a great deal of support from during his illness, so it means a lot to the Trust to be able to make this donation on his behalf. A donation of £1000 will also be made to MS Society Scotland, a charity which funds research on treatment of the illness as well as working with MS sufferers, helping them manage their symptoms.

As well as supporting these charities, the Trust aims to promote the arts and culture of Scotland (particularly on the Isle of Islay), along with helping with the advancement of education of young Ileach residents by encouraging and enabling participation in, and the study of all forms of traditional music. For this, the Trust have set £4000 aside for 2018 – more details on these activities to follow.

In other news, Mac Ile: The Music of Fraser Shaw has been listed among Folk Radio UK’s Top 10 Albums of 2017, being described as “… a charming, moving and, above all, uplifting album.” Read about it and all the other chosen albums here!

Keep up with the latest news via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our website, where you can sign up to our newsletter.

From everyone at The Fraser Shaw Trust, Nollaig chridheil agus bliadhna mhath ùr!