Anne Martin‘s story is deeply entwined with the Gaelic-speaking community of Kilmuir, Skye, where she was born and raised. Growing up in the township of Linicro, she experienced the true meaning of “cèilidh” – where music and song were woven into the fabric of daily life, shared rather than performed, and every house had its own singer ready to contribute to community gatherings.
Her first performance came at age four at a wedding, though in those days, singing wasn’t considered performance but rather a natural part of community life. The rich musical environment of Trotternish, where charity events and parties provided regular opportunities for musical expression, shaped her early years. Her development as a singer was nurtured by the wealth of traditional knowledge still present in the community, where participation and sharing were valued above performance.
Anne’s professional journey has taken her from community fundraisers to significant artistic collaborations. In the early 1990s, she joined Iain MacDonald and Iain MacFarlane in their band “An Dorlach”, and later participated in a Fast-track programme for Gaelic-speaking artists that established enduring professional networks.
Her contributions to Scottish traditional music have been both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. She performed in the first Gaelic Community Opera “Sgathach” and was a member of the all-female singer group of the same name. Her work has crossed artistic boundaries, from researching and performing in “The Storr – Unfolding Landscape” environmental art installation to winning the PRS New Music Award for her collaboration with Jason Singh in “Lahira” with “Ceumannan”.
More recently, she opened the Sonica Festival of contemporary electronic music with Roly Porter and Kistvaen, and directed “An Tinne”, a musical journey project. Her international reach extends to contributing to the Yirramboi Indigenous Arts Festival’s Cultural Conversations, while maintaining her commitment to sharing traditional songs both locally and globally.
Throughout her career, Anne has remained firmly connected to her roots in Linicro, where the land, language, and people continue to inform her interpretation of traditional music. Her long-term involvement with Fèisean and Youth Music Initiative demonstrates her commitment to passing on these traditions to new generations.
Anne’s approach to traditional music balances preservation with innovation, never afraid to push boundaries while staying true to her cultural roots. Her induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame recognises not just her artistic achievements, but her role in maintaining and evolving the living tradition of Gaelic song.
Living in Linicro has kept her deeply connected to the sources of her music, while allowing her to explore new artistic territories without compromising her traditional foundations. Her success demonstrates how traditional music can thrive and evolve while maintaining its essential character and community connections.