GENERAL INFORMATION
Looking for more information about what’s happening at the festival? Want to know where to stay and other things to do in the area? You’ve come to the right place. Please browse through our information below to find the answers you’ve been searching for. If you still have questions on your mind, please get in touch and a member of our team would be happy to help you.
WHAT IS IT?
The Scottish Taiko Festival is an umbrella term encompassing two main events: the Festival itself (a two-day weekend event featuring workshops and community-based activities) and Taiko Gasshuku Alba (a five-day Taiko training intensive).
If you come for the Festival only, you will have a variety of Taiko workshops to choose from during the weekend. You can also take part in our Community Concert and meet new friends at our Ceilidh and Buffet Banquet.
If you choose to train alongside us at the Gasshuku, your registration includes free entry to the Ceilidh and Buffet Banquet. Should you also wish to participate in the weekend Festival workshops, these can be paid for individually.
WHO ARE WE?
The event is a collaborative event run by Tsuchigumo Daiko and Shoshin Taiko Dojo. Both groups are located in Scotland and are dedicated to sharing the beautiful art of taiko drumming with as many people as possible. We believe that taiko drumming can bring many benefits to people’s physical and mental wellbeing, and is a powerful tool for fostering and building community both locally and globally.
Tsuchigumo Daiko is an arts organisation based in central Scotland committed to the study and promotion of Taiko Drumming, through regular classes, workshops, outreach, and performances. The group was founded in January 2016 by Martin Doyle and Shonagh Walker, who quickly established a group ethos focused on sharing the joy and benefits of Taiko, fostering community, inclusivity, and personal development.
Shoshin Taiko Dojo CIC focuses on teaching and spreading taiko drumming to rural communities, to create new experiences, opportunities and links within those communities. The group was founded and is led by Joao Madeira.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
We are passionate about learning, playing, and sharing taiko. We love the taiko community—both in Europe and around the world—and wanted to create an opportunity for players to gather and share the experience of learning, performing, and connecting.
However, we also wanted to create an appealing, beneficial event that engages the local community, not just taiko players. Because of this, we made a commitment to involve as many local people and businesses in the festival as possible.
We also hope to bring attention to the many beautiful but under-utilised village halls in and around the festival location, showcasing rural Scotland as a world-leading tourist destination. Ultimately, we want to create an event that taiko players want to attend not just by themselves, but with their families and friends—ensuring there is something on offer for everyone.
LOCATION
The main location for the Scottish Taiko Festival is the Dounans Outdoor Centre. in the beautiful rural village of Aberfoyle, and the picturesque Gartmore Village Hall. This is an area of singular natural beauty and is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.
WORKSHOPS
The festival weekend will feature a number of workshops led by some of the finest instructors in the taiko community. You can secure a space on a Taiko workshop or other event by checking out our schedule of events.
MERCHANDISE
There will be a small merchandise stall open at the Community Concert, where you will be able to buy mementos such as t-shirts, bags, and bachi..
ACCESSIBILITY
All of our venues are wheelchair accessible. If you have any concerns or requests concerning accessibility, please contact us.
SPONSORSHIP
If you are a business and would like to sponsor, support or collaborate with the Festival in any capacity, please contact us. It is not easy to make an event like this happen, so we would appreciate your support!