Cruden Bay Folk Club
On the last Friday of the month from 7:30 pm
Kilmarnock Arms Hotel
Last Friday of the month from 19:30 until around 22:30
Cruden Bay Folk Club is a vibrant community music group based in Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Established in 2012, the club convenes on the last Friday of each month at the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel, starting at 7:30 PM .
The club serves as a welcoming space for musicians, singers, and music enthusiasts of all levels. Over the years, it has fostered numerous collaborations and the formation of new bands, such as The Fonsecas and DGBK . Additionally, the club supports initiatives like the Fiere Deems, an all-female choir that meets weekly at Cruden Bay Village Hall.
Beyond its regular gatherings, Cruden Bay Folk Club hosts themed nights, workshops, and benefit concerts, contributing to the local cultural scene. For instance, the Village Hall Benefit concert (pictured above), which was held on May 16, 2025, raised around £1700 for Port Erroll Village Hall funds.
For more information, including event details and membership, visit their official website: crudenbayfolkclub.co.uk
Supporting Local Charities and Good Causes
Cruden Bay Folk Club has a proud tradition of supporting local charities and good causes within the community. Over the years, the club has worked to raise awareness and funds for a wide range of charitable organisations and initiatives. Listed here are some of the beneficiaries that Cruden Bay Folk Club has been pleased to support in recent years, reflecting its ongoing commitment to making a positive local impact.
2025 – Port Erroll Public Hall (Including free public workshops)
2024 – Donation to Jodi Morris
2023 – Shirley’s Space and CLAN
2022 – Cruden Bay Pantry
2021 – Covid – (Lock Down)
2020 – Covid – (Lock Down)
2019 – The Salvation Army Food Bank
2018 – Theatre MODO
2017 – Wishing Tree
2016 – Save the Children
2015 – Refugee Concert
2014 – CAIR Scotland
Public Hall Benefit Concert 2025
Benefit Concert for Port Erroll Public Hall
On Friday, May 16th, Cruden Bay Folk Club hosted a sold-out Benefit Concert in support of Port Erroll Public Hall, uniting 120 attendees in a night of exceptional music and community spirit.
The evening featured resident artists, standout acts like Sir Reel Clarks and the Robyn Smith Trio, and heartfelt performances from The Fiere Deems, The KGB, and The CJK Band. Highlights included emotional ballads, sing-alongs, and this surprise ABBA cover.
The concert was professionally filmed by Apex Church’s media team and concluded with a moving group rendition of I’ll Fly Away. Compèred by Scott Thomson, the event showcased local talent while raising crucial funds for the hall. With joy, unity, and generosity on full display, the night celebrated the power of music to bring people together and support a vital community space.
Cruden Water – Written and performed by Cruden Bay Folk Club
Written as an anthem for the Cruden Bay Folk Club, Cruden Water celebrates the rich heritage and enduring spirit of the village.
The song paints a vivid picture of life in and around Cruden Bay, weaving together past and present—from Viking invasions and historic battles to the fishermen, golfers, and community members who define the area today.
At its heart, the song flows through Port Erroll Harbour, capturing the gentle movement of the Cruden Water as it makes its way to the sea. The harbour itself, with its moored boats and sparkling lights, becomes a central symbol of connection, livelihood, and continuity, linking the natural landscape to the village’s human stories. From the towering castle steeped in myth to the dunes and coastal scenery, Cruden Water offers both a musical journey and a heartfelt tribute, celebrating the beauty, history, and life that converge at Port Erroll Harbour.
Regular Theme Nights
The club regularly holds musical-themed sessions during their regular monthly club nights, to give you some idea of what goes on, here’s a few of the posters promoting a variety of these popular events.
Want to get involved?
The warmest of welcomes is guaranteed when you visit Cruden Bay Folk Club, whether you’re a musician or a music lover looking for great local performers, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel in Cruden Bay. From november 2025 we will start things of at a NEW EARLIER TIME of 7:30. and aim to finish up by 10:30.
Principal Sources
- The official history, records and published material of Cruden Bay Folk Club, including information relating to its formation in 2012, monthly club nights, workshops, concerts and community activities.
- Personal memories, contributions and experiences shared by members, musicians, singers and supporters of Cruden Bay Folk Club, documenting the role of music within village life.
- Historical and cultural references relating to folk music traditions in Scotland, including the role of local music groups in preserving regional identity, storytelling and community connections.
- Information relating to performances, collaborations and associated groups that have developed through the Folk Club community, including local musicians, bands and singing groups.
- Archive recordings, photographs, videos and digital material created through Cruden Bay Folk Club events, helping preserve performances and memories for future generations.
- Local knowledge and community contributions relating to the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel, Port Erroll Village Hall and other venues connected with the musical life of Cruden Bay.
- Original written content, photography, video production and digital storytelling created by Cruden Bay Life to celebrate the contribution of Cruden Bay Folk Club to the cultural heritage of the village.
Image References
Unless otherwise stated, images featured in this article are sourced from contemporary photography, community contributions, event recordings or original creative material produced by Cruden Bay Life.
Cruden Bay Folk Club represents a different kind of heritage — one that is created through participation, performance and shared experiences. The images used throughout this article aim to capture not only musicians and events, but also the friendships, creativity and community spirit that have allowed the club to flourish since its formation.
Photographs and recordings of performances provide an important record of the people who have contributed their talents over the years, while images of gatherings and venues help document the places where these musical connections have grown.
Where creative interpretation or digital artwork is used, these images are intended to enhance storytelling and atmosphere rather than represent exact historical records.
We are grateful to musicians, photographers, volunteers, organisers and members of the wider community whose enthusiasm, creativity and contributions help preserve the continuing story of music in Cruden Bay.
About Cruden Bay Life
Cruden Bay Life celebrates the history, landscapes, people and stories that make Cruden Bay and the surrounding Buchan coast unique.
Every article begins with curiosity, research and a desire to understand what makes a place special. Some stories are found in archives and historical records, while others are created through the people, traditions and shared experiences that continue to shape village life today.
Cruden Bay Folk Club represents the living heartbeat of community storytelling. Through songs, music and friendship, the club has created a space where local talent can be shared, new friendships can form and generations of musical traditions can continue. Since being established in 2012, the Folk Club has become an important part of Cruden Bay’s cultural identity, bringing together musicians and audiences in celebration of music and community.
Music has always been one of the ways communities preserve their stories. Just as archives preserve written records and photographs preserve moments in time, songs and performances capture the emotions, memories and experiences of the people who create them.
Alongside traditional research methods, we make thoughtful use of modern creative tools—including artificial intelligence—to assist with research, editing, illustration, music composition and visual presentation. These tools allow us to explore new ways of sharing local stories, while accuracy, editorial judgement and respect for our contributors remain central to everything we publish.
Researched by people. Enhanced with modern creative tools. Inspired by history. Created for today’s audiences.
Learn more about how we research and create our stories. Click here →