25/26/27 September 2026                     

 Share Brilliant  Bluegrass Music With The Community In Moniaive

Dumfries & Galloway DG3 4EJ

Bonnie Scotland

Friday & Saturday evening concerts @ Glencairn Memorial Institute, Chapel Street, 

Saturday morning workshops, Saturday afternoon open mic concert, jam sessions in the George and other venues

Sunday morning Gospel concert Church of Scotland

camping & great local facilities

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​Join our vibrant  and historic Scottish village community for a truly memorable weekend  break. The community offers an enriching and musically brilliant Bluegrass experience. We celebrate Bluegrass and Americana music, wonderful food & drink with great hospitality at our family friendly festival.

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​Moniaive is recognised internationally as Scotland's music village due to the sterling efforts of Hugh Taylor, travel writer, Celtic Music Radio broadcaster, Bluegrass aficionado and  community member.

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Fullest credit must be given to Paul Lyttle and his wife Anja. Paul was Artistic Director and startup 'get it done' person in 2009 when he  worked with a committee and arranged support from The Scottish Bluegrass Association. The Association brought from the USA and toured the stunning crowd pulling headline band Wayne Tayor & Appaloosa, providing support musicians and arranging publicity and a mail out to kick start the whole event at no cost.

 

Under Paul's skilled directorship the event went from strength to strength also guided by Alan & Louise Mairs pioneers of Scottish Bluegrass. Paul continued with his brilliant management up until he retired from the task; the Craigdarroch Hotel sponsors faced closure, and the event as a festival was reluctantly closed down.

 

Paul has a wonderful video series on Youtube documenting the amazing talent that attended over the years. As a thank you in 2025 The British Bluegrass Music Association presented him with the Jan Jerrold award for highly successful endeavours in promoting Bluegrass in the UK. Paul and the committee donated a £1000 float from the event to the BBMA to sponsor young musicians to attend the Sore Fingers tuition camps;  a BBMA innovation which John & Moira Wirtz took over, turning it into a business and thus  have developed it into an international Bluegrass and associated music camp of astounding success - producing a whole generation of virtuoso musicians.

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With Paul and Anja's and the community's blessing Hugh, by popular demand, is resurrecting the Moniaive Michaelmas  Bluegrass Festival for 2026 and beyond. Hugh has appointed a new Artistic Director 'get it done' person who is a very experienced Bluegrass promoter with  two festivals and more than 30 years experience. Hugh has also secured financial underwriting from the charity rebranded from the SBA as Bluegrass Music Scotland, Scottish Charity SC054282. This link up has been vital to the resurrection process as has support and sponsorship from The British Bluegrass Music Association.

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