New winter music festival announced for Scottish city

Headline concerts from Skerryvore, Mànran and Elephant Sessions plus some special guest performers like Kinnaris Quintet will help music lovers shake off the post-Christmas haze as the year comes to an end.
An all ages daytime concert featuring local artists will also be part of the festival, as well as The Big Ceilidh on the evening of December 31, that has been held at the historic Albert Halls over the last number of years.
Stirling Council Leader Cllr Gerry McGarvey said: 'Winterlight will pull people out of that post-festive lull and get their dancing shoes on for some of the best live folk music the country has to offer, right here in the heart of Stirling at our amazing Albert Halls.
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'This is the first festival of its kind taking place in Stirling at this time of year – it's fresh and exciting and means the party will continue in Stirling all the way from Christmas into the New Year. This is another fantastic addition to Scotland's festival calendar and I know it will grab the imagination of music fans from across the country and beyond as we continue to showcase our thriving live music and events scene.'
Gary Innes of Mànran said: 'We're thrilled to be part of the very first Winterlight Festival! Stirling holds a special place in our hearts, and the Albert Halls has always given us incredible nights to remember. We can't wait to return and hopefully help brighten up the winter season for many!'
Lynsey Eckford, VisitScotland's Regional Director, said: 'It's fantastic to see Winterlight at Albert Halls Stirling join our world-class event line up.
"Live music is a great way to warm up those winter nights between Christmas and New Year and to bring visitors outside of the summer season, which is really important for tourism businesses in the area.
'Scots trad music is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Scotland. Live events and festivals celebrate our history and tradition, offering an authentic and immersive experience that connects visitors with our people and places."
'Tourism and events are among Scotland's most important industries and the second largest growth sector in Scotland's economy. Their success creates a ripple effect which powers a vibrant visitor economy.'

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