Events

Tickets available for purchase from April 2012 - details on this site

Check out our 25th Anniversary Celebration Videos

Background to the Festival: The festival is held in the idyllic village of Guildtown in rural Perthshire – the scenic heartland of Scotland, six miles from the historic city of Perth - an ancient Roman settlement named Bertha, and early Scottish capital known then as St John’s Toun, where the Kings of Scotland were crowned at Scone Palace. The whole area is a haven for visitors catering for every aspect of tourism including all aspects of Scottish culture. Late summer, when the festival is held, is renowned for good harvest time weather. Edinburgh the nation’s capital, and seat of the new Scottish Parliament, lies 40 miles to the south and at that time of year the capital with its famed castle, is vibrant on the run up to its Festival of Arts.

Festival Site & Facilities: Guildtown Bluegrass festival is hosted in the Village. Great food and drink are available at the festival hub marquee. Festival attendees camp on the village green and enjoy the facilities in the village hall, which includes washing, cooking and toilet facilities. The City of Perth has every possible facility including tourist accommodation and information. www.visitscotland.com

The festival is famed for its informal, friendly and exciting atmosphere. It incorporates great music, both in concerts and in informal sessions; with its great Scottish hospitality, and the wonderful location in the Scottish heartland. John Sheldon founded the festival in 1987 with the support of Bluegrass aficionados. Its successful principles are those of a non-profit making team effort by the SBA committee. It is a showcase and focus for Bluegrass in Scotland and welcomes European and overseas visitors for a relaxing and exciting Bluegrass experience.
Each year the festival welcomes a small but growing number to a very special event. The festival has been likened to attending a reunion with lifelong friends and featuring the renowned atmosphere of the ‘kerosene circuit’ of early Bluegrass pioneering days.

We would love to welcome you to our national Bluegrass festival at the invitation of the Scottish Bluegrass Association. The success of Guildtown over the years proves beyond doubt that Bluegrass has made the long journey home and, that as Bill Monroe requested to the organisers, the Celtic connections and roots are secure and growing.

Blistering Hot Bluegrass & Celtic Roots Band

“Top British bluegrass combo Goldrush….folk roots masters..” SCOTSMAN GUIDE

Leaving Town http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeatKjm3DXY

Island of Tears http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgMcw40SL5Q

GOLDRUSH IN CONCERT (futher info tel:07968 124582)

"Goldrush were so hot they nearly made our stage burn. Not only were the band technically brilliant, their songs and instrumentals really gripped the audience - a case study in best performance"

Richard Grainger, Cropton Folk n Roots Festival www.rootsnorth.co.uk

Friday, 27 January 2012, 9-00pm, Concert Hoedown At the Crown with Dapper McDans, The Crown Inn, 109-111 High Street, Biggar ML12 6DL, £5-00 admission on the door

Saturday, 10th March 2012, 9-00pm, The Twa Tams, 79-81 Scott Street, Perth PH2 8JR

Friday, 16 March, 8-00pm, Carlisle Folk Club, Carlisle United Football Club, Warwick Road, Carlisle CA11LL

Saturday, 24th March, 8-00pm, The Salmon Bothy, Port Soy, Banffshire, AB45 2SS

Thursday, 29th March, 8-00pm, Falkirk Folk Club, Tolbooth Tavern, Tolbooth Street, Falkirk FK1 1NL

Sunday, 1st April, 8-00pm, Royal British Legion, 50 North Bridge Street, Bathgate, EH48 4PP

Wednesday, 18th April, 8-00pm, Dunfermline Folk Club, Thistle Tavern, Baldridgeburn, Dunfermline, KY12 9EG

Friday, 18th May, 8-00pm, Heart Of England Bluegrass Venue, Bulkington War Memorial Club, Stafford Close Bulkington, Bedworth CV12 9QX nr. Coventry

Friday, 29th June, 9-00pm, Hoedown At The Crown, The Crown Inn, The Crown Inn, 109-111 High Street, Biggar ML12 6DL, £5-00 admission on the door

July 20/21/22, Guildtown Bluegrass Festival, Hall Road Guildtown PH2 6BY, 6 miles north Perth, A93

Saturday, 11th August, 8-30pm, Acoustic Music Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 12DZ

Goldrush was formed by John Sheldon in 1989 and made its debut at the Guildtown Bluegrass Festival which John founded in 1987. The current Goldrush line-up is stronger than ever. Individually and collectively the band has decades of performing experience ranging from the folk scene, the country music circuit, Edinburgh International Festival, Edale Bluegrass Festival, Southern Fried, Living Tradition Summer School and premier bluegrass events including the European World of Bluegrass. The band also runs workshops and performs on the Scottish Bluegrass Association Bluegrass in the Schools programme along with extensive charity work. Goldrush has forged a distinct and impressive identity for delivering cutting edge traditional bluegrass and Celtic roots music to delighted audiences.

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