Duncan Strachan // Artistic Director

Cellist and composer Duncan Strachan hails from Roy Bridge, about 25 miles east of Glenfinnan. He began learning to play the cello at the young age of 4 with local teacher Audrey Scott. He subsequently studied at St Mary's Music School, Oxford University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He is now based in Edinburgh and enjoys a busy freelance career as a soloist, chamber musician, composer and teacher.

Miriam Iorwerth // Festival Chair

Miriam Iorwerth was a Lochaber resident from 2006-2019, when she relocated to Helensburgh where she currently lives. She studied Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) at the University of Surrey, and is now working towards a PhD in Networked Music Performance at Glasgow Caledonian University. She worked in electronics after graduating, including a job in the Antarctic, before returning to a career in music education. She currently works as a lecturer on the BA Applied Music course at the University of the Highlands and Islands, and of course, as the linchpin of the Loch Shiel Festival!

Rachel Spencer // Outreach Officer

Rachel hails from Holmfirth in Yorkshire and is a professional violinist and singer. She is a member of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and an active chamber musician and soloist. In addition, Rachel enjoys a freelance career as a music educator, coaching on the National Youth Choir of Great Britain courses and for Ulster Youth Choir, as well as regular outreach projects on the violin with SCO, Live Music Now, and many more. As part of the Starcatchers team, Rachel performed a children’s music concert in the Lincoln Center New York, and many other venues in Scotland and across the world.

Rachel Walker // Publicity Officer

One of Gaelic singing’s great talents, Rachel has won numerous awards and performs across the world. Rachel is the conductor for Lochaber District Gaelic Choir, and has helped them to win and retain the Margrat Duncan prize for District Choirs at the last three Royal National Mòd’s, most recently enjoying a home win in Fort William.  She also won the An Comunn Gaidhealach Gold Medal for solo Gaelic singing in 2017.

Steve Taylor // Treasurer

The festival’s Treasurer, Steve Taylor is Head of the Centre for Recreation and Tourism Research at the University of the Highlands and Islands. His work is centred on collaborating with international partners on the development and implementation of sustainable tourism projects (www.whc.uhi.ac.uk/research). He also co-organises the annual International Adventure Conference, the next event being held in New Zealand.  Rather closer to home, he sits on the committee for the Glenfinnan Gathering and is a director of Slow Adventure Ltd.  In his spare time he can found wandering the highlands on foot or on his bike.