Bothy Ballads 2026

With the Elgin Town Hall temporarily closed for its extensive refurbishment, our 'Bothy Ballads Champion of Champions' event is moving this year to the Institute in Fochabers. It will be held on Saturday 7th February 2026.

The regional competitions have announced their winners and they will now be invited to compete for the championship 'porridge bowl and spoon' on the 7th February.

The 2026 judge of the event will be Craig Pike, and the compere is Robert Lovie, both well-known figures in the world of bothy ballads.

There will be, as in the Elgin Town Hall last year, additional musical entertainment and a Doric presentation from local schoolchildren.

Ticket numbers are limited to 335, the capacity of the Institute, and they will go on sale online in January - at the same price as last year, £18. The ticket price will include the traditional dram from our sponsors, Glen Moray Distillery.

Look, and listen for, future announcements on this Website, on posters, or on Keith Community Radio.