Scotland-first gig for Irish band set to play at ball in Aberdeen

Scotland-first gig for Irish band set to play at ball in Aberdeen

A charity ball being organised in aid of Friends of ANCHOR will see a popular Irish folk and country band play their first ever Scottish concert in Aberdeen.

Financial planning company VT Wealth is throwing a black-tie ball in aid of the charity, and has secured The Celtic Brothers to play at the event, an appearance that will be the band’s first in the country.

The group, formerly known as The Willoughby Brothers and revered in their home country and as far afield as North America for their live concerts, will play at the ball organised by husband and wife Vee and George Thom, who head up VT Wealth in Aberdeen and Fraserburgh.

Irish singer-songwriter Fergal Flaherty will also perform at the event at The Chester Hotel on September 23. Well known for his ‘lockdown live’ sessions on Facebook during the pandemic, Fergal, who owns the ‘Hole in the Wall Playa de las Americas’ in Tenerife, runs in-demand live music nights there, and has welcomed many stars to the stage for surprise sing-a-longs, including Cliff Richard, Daniel O’Donnell and Nathan Carter.

Company director Vee Thom said: “We have chosen Friends of ANCHOR as we have friends and family who have relied on the support of the charity at a most challenging time of their lives.

“We are so looking forward to welcoming our dear friends Fergal, Des and his fellow Willoughby brothers Richie, Robbie and Johnny to the Granite City. This promises to be a superb evening but most importantly, we hope to raise a great sum to help support Friends of ANCHOR in the wonderful work they do.”

Individual tickets and tables are now available for the function, with all proceeds going to Friends of ANCHOR. The evening, which will also include a small live auction in aid of the charity, will be emceed by Ian Thain, one of Aberdeen’s top event comperes.

Friends of ANCHOR director Sarah-Jane Hogg said: “We’re really grateful to Vee and George for choosing to support Friends of ANCHOR with their first ever ball. They’ve secured a fantastic line-up of entertainment for the evening, in a first-class venue. It’s sure to be a great evening to round off the social summer months. Every penny raised and donated on the night will directly support people facing treatment for cancer or a haematology illness in our corner of the world.”

Tickets are available or an individual basis, small groups or tables of 10, and can be booked by phoning 07471 685810 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The ticket price includes a champagne reception, three-course dinner and the evening’s entertainment.

Proceeds will go to Friends of ANCHOR, a local cancer and haematology charity which supports patients in North-east Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland. The charity provides funding for medical equipment, patient wellbeing, pioneering research and clinical excellence initiatives. This year marks the charity’s 25th anniversary.

VT Wealth was established in 2015 by director Vee Thom, with an office in Bridge of Don and Fraserburgh.