The Gathering is the annual event for everyone involved or interested in rural touring. Connecting promoters from across the Highlands and Islands with performers, producers, funders and other creative professionals, it’s a welcoming space to network, build skills and showcase new work.

‘S e tachartas bliadhnail a th’ anns a’ Chruinneachadh, ‘s e a’ toirt còmhla luchd-brosnachaidh nan ealan bho air feadh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean, cuide ri cleasaichean, ceòladairean, riochdairean, luchd-maoineachaidh agus luchd-proifeiseanta eile bhon roinn chruthachail gus ar lìonradh a neartachadh, sgilean cudromach a thogail agus obair chruthachail ùr a thaisbeanadh.

The 2023 event ran across two venues, Birnam Arts & The Taybank, with have a jam-packed programme of brilliant showcase performances, socialising, sharings and delicious food and drink.

As a participant at the Gatherings, we’ve been able to build relationships with small and medium scale promotors across The Highlands, Hebrides and Northern Isles. These partnerships have lead to some ambitious projects and great audience response. It’s always great to work with a network that does what it should do, and does it really well!
Steve Cousins

Let's Circus

The Gathering… acted as a brilliant introduction to many of the promoters in the area and made follow up conversations with promoters much easier. The Touring Network were brilliant at establishing relationships with venues and promoters who were not at The Gathering and were on the phone throughout the process to offer advice. With their support, we were able to extend the tour to a greater number of rural venues, which would not have been possible without this additional support!
Kit Denison

Clod Ensemble

Thank you, and The Touring Network team, for a fabulous ‘Gathering’. We have come away with such a lot of helpful information to digest and then act upon, I’m now really excited and enthused about what we can do to further develop our arts programme … lots of plans! I would just like to let you know that we really appreciate the support we have from The Touring Network, in all its forms. So thanks all!
Lucy Walsh

Craignish Village Hall

Latest News

In partnership with

Findhorn Bay Festival

The Gathering 2018 will take place in the beautiful, creative town of Forres during the annual Findhorn Bay Festival.. Forres is one of Scotland’s oldest small towns situated near the stunning Moray coastline.

We are delighted that Gathering attendees will get to experience the festival on both the Thursday & Friday evenings, and we have handpicked a selection of shows to offer attendees as part of their ticket.

Tickets for each performance are limited, so attendees will have the opportunity to request their 1st, 2nd & 3rd choices for each evening when registering.

* programme elements are included in attendee ticket.

Visiting Forres

Transport

Newbold House is situated on the southern outskirts of Forres. Rafford Village Hall is just a 5 minutes drive further out of Forres from Newbold.
Forres is about 25 miles, 40 kilometres, east of Inverness, just off the A96 trunk road.  There are daily trains and bus connections from other UK cities to Inverness, and from Inverness to Forres. Plan your journey by train or bus.

The venues this year are spread out across the Findhorn Bay area, and most are accessible by public transport. However, due to the packed schedule for the Gathering and Findhorn Bay Festival, we are investigating coordinated transport options. If you are willing to assist by car sharing to from and during The Gathering, please indicate this on the registration form or get in touch to let us know.

Travel Bursaries

Travel bursaries of £60 each are available to promoter and performer members who require financial assistance to attend.

Accommodation

During the registration process, you will be given the option to request overnight accommodation – note this is limited, so we advise booking early. Details below:

Tullochwood Lodge

Limited accommodation is available for attendees at reduced rates – book this when you buy tickets. Venue website here.
£148 for a double/twin room x 2 nights, plus option to stay an extra night on Sat for FREE! (breakfast pack provided)
Why not make the most of the extra bed space and bring a partner/friend too? There’s plenty going on at the Findhorn Bay Festival to amuse them while you attend the Gathering!

Newbold House

For those on a tighter budget and happy to share a room, there are a few beds available – book this when you buy tickets. Venue website here
£50 for a single bed in a shared room x 2 nights (breakfast included).

Other Accommodation

Have you sorted your accomodation yet? See our recommendations here.

Cuan Mor Restaurant

The Rockfield Centre

The Touring Network (Highlands & Islands)
Supporting live performance across the Highlands & Islands as part of a central, celebrated and indispensable part of the cultural life of Scotland.
01463 231328
hello@thetouringnetwork.com
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