Welcome to the world of Bratach Bana, a name for ever associated with the mythical fairy flag of the Clan MacLeod on display at Dunvegan Castle (that’s the flag on the top right hand corner of our website. Bratach Bana is also the name of one of the North East of Scotland's newest traditional folk bands. Formed out of the talented membership of the Ugie Folk Club in Stuartfield, Bratach Bana reflect the traditional appeal of the magical flag they name themselves after.
In July 07 Bratach Bana released their debut album “Shetland Lights” at a formal launch at the Heugh Hotel in Stonehaven as one of the opening events at this years Stonehaven Folk Festival.
Shetland Lights features a broad mix of material from the diverse pen’s of Bob Dylan and John Martyn as well as from more traditional Scottish songsmiths such as Dick Gaughan and Dougie Maclean. The album also features a fine selection of Bratach Bana’s own material including the rousing title track Shetland Lights.
About Bratach Bana
Welcome to the world of Bratach Bana, a name for ever associated with the mythical fairy flag of the Clan MacLeod on display at Dunvegan Castle (that’s the flag on the top right hand corner of our website). Bratach Bana is also the name of one of the North East of Scotland's newest traditional folk bands. Formed out of the talented membership of the Ugie Folk Club in Stuartfield, Bratach Bana reflect the traditional appeal of the magical flag they name themselves after.
In July 07 Bratach Bana released their debut album “Shetland Lights” at a formal launch at the Heugh Hotel in Stonehaven as one of the opening events at this years Stonehaven Folk Festival.
Shetland Lights features a broad mix of material from the diverse pen’s of Bob Dylan and John Martyn as well as from more traditional Scottish songsmiths such as Dick Gaughan and Dougie Maclean. The album also features a fine selection of Bratach Bana’s own material including the rousing title track Shetland Lights and The White Horse of Mormond which was adapted from a poem written by local minister The Reverend Charles Birnie.
The first incarnation of the band was in spring 2005 when several members of the folk club were coerced – in the nicest possible way – into forming a ceilidh band to assist with a fund raising event for the local village hall. After weeks of rehearsal a very nervous group took to the stage and provided a wonderful evening’s entertainment.
The band membership changed following this event with people moving abroad due to work commitments, but has now settled into the line up you hear today. Various other public performances followed on from their first ceilidh with appearances at local charity events. The high spot of the band’s career to date occurred in March 2007 when they provided support and backing for Fiona Kennedy-oddly enough at yet another fund raisng event for the same village hall! This involved many, many hours of painstaking rehearsal which culminated in one of the band’s best performances to date. It was as a result of a conversation with Fiona at this time that the name of the band was chosen.