The Folk Singer of the Year, Julie Fowlis, is one of the big draws at next month's Fairport's Cropredy Convention, writes PETER CANN

Cuildh is the Gaelic word for treasury and once you hear the voice of Scottish singer Julie Fowlis you wonder at its richness - and its beauty. Cuildh is the title she has adopted for her latest album, which brings the wealth of traditional Gaelic songs from the windswept islands of the Hebrides to a modern audience. Julie, one of the main attractions at next month's Fairport's Cropredy Convention, remains true to her roots of North Uist. She sings in a language only understood by around 60,000 people and can claim a connection to many of the songs recorded as they originate from the island and some were even written by her ancestors.

"She has a beautiful voice," says Phil Selway, of Radiohead. "It is rich, percussive and truly soulful. You'd need a cold heart indeed to not be touched by her music."

The percussiveness comes from that other tradition of the islands - mouth music (music without instruments). Its main purpose is to provide music for dancing. In the past the majority of people would not have been able to afford musical instruments, but there was another reason - a ban on pipes after the 1745 Jacobite Uprising, which ended in the bloody battle of Culloden and the Highland Clearances.

"The language and culture of the Hebrides are inseparable," said Julie. "The language is just one part of a way of life - and when we talk of trying to save Gaelic, or save the language, what we really mean is a way of life. The language remains in a very fragile state and it's good to know that it is being supported at this crucial time. We won't get a second chance!"

The ban on pipes is history and Julie can not only play the pipes but is an accomplished player of bagpipes, whistles, oboe and cor anglais. Her talents have earned her numerous awards, including this year being named Folk Singer of the Year, but her path is undoubtedly a pioneering one. Her impact can be compared with Kathryn Tickell in reviving the Northumbrian pipes.

"I don't really think people are more receptive to this music than before," said Julie. "Perhaps folk has more opportunity to access music through the Internet, radio, concerts and festivals than ever before and it has become easier to 'find' less mainstream music.

"There is a lot of great music out there, and it's good to know there is such growing support for acoustic, folk and trad music from our broadcasters such as the team at BBC Radio 2, who have championed folk music over the years."

Cropredy will be the last date in her latest tour and will be her first time at the festival.

"I am looking forward to this festival very much. It has a great reputation and we are delighted to be part of the line-up.

"Singing at such large open-air arenas is usually great fun. It can be a bit less controlled than, say, performing in a theatre, so anything can happen. There is a special atmosphere performing in the open-air."

Julie takes to the stage on the Saturday night, ahead of special guest, Midge Ure, of Ultravox fame, and, of course, hosts Fairport Convention, the legendary folk-rockers.

Now approaching its 30th anniversary, Cropredy (August 7-9), near Banbury, is often described as Britain's friendliest music festival. The three-day event also boasts Oxford Britpop band Supergrass, while one of the biggest festival bands, the Levellers, headline on the Friday.

Among other highlights are one of Ireland's great singers, Paul Brady, with his band, and Joe Brown, a true legend of the British music scene, appearing with an eagerly awaited special guest, Dave Edmunds, of Love Sculpture and Rockpile fame. Returning due to popular demand are The Muffinmen featuring Jimmy Carl Black, a one-time member of the Mothers of Invention, and cult band Stackridge.

Folk fans will be delighted at the appearance of that master songwriter John Tams, with Barry Coope, while Ashley Hutchings revives the music of Lark Rise To Candleford, and BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winners Siobhan Miller and Jeana Leslie have a deserved slot, as do 3 Daft Monkeys, one of the hits of this year's Oxford Folk Festival.

The line-up has attracted huge interest not just from among the thousands of loyal Fairport fans. For the second year running, organisers expect to sell out.

Fairport guitarist Simon Nicol said: "We are obviously delighted by this year's ticket sales. On the other hand, it is heartbreaking to have to turn people away at the gate. So I strongly urge festival-goers to get their skates on and book now because there may not be any tickets for sale on the day."

Thursday, August 7 Supergrass, John Tams and Barry Coope, The Gathering, Whapweasel, Anthony John Clarke Friday, August 8 Levellers, Joe Brown, right, and his band featuring special guest Dave Edmunds, Paul Brady and his band, Stackridge, BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winners Siobhan Miller and Jeana Leslie, 3 Daft Monkeys, Peggy and PJ Wright, The Family Mahone Saturday, August 9 Fairport Convention, Midge Ure, Julie Fowlis Band, The Muffinmen featuring Jimmy Carl Black Legend (Bob Marley tribute), Lark Rise To Candleford, Richard Digance Fairport's Cropredy Convention offers three-day (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) tickets, two-day (Friday and Saturday) tickets, and Saturday-only tickets. There is a discount for tickets ordered before Friday, August 1, and prices are £76 (three-day), £66 (Friday-Saturday) and £46 (Saturday-only). Tickets are available online or by post from the Fairport Convention website: www.fairportconvention.com