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Announcing the Distil Meet-Up Series 2026/2027
For over twenty years, Hands Up for Trad’s Distil project has been pioneering creative development for traditional musicians across Scotland. Through residential workshops, mentoring, and collaboration with leading ensembles like Mr McFall’s Chamber, Distil has empowered hundreds of musicians to develop compositional confidence and improvisational skills, creating new works that bridge traditional and contemporary music. […]
Tinto Summer School 2026 – last couple of weeks!!
A residential Scottish and Traditional music event for 11 (entering high school) – 17 year old participants. Held at Wiston Lodge. We look forward to welcoming participants aged 11 (entering high school) – 17 back to Wiston Lodge (South Lanarkshire) for a great week of folk and traditional music, song, fun and campfire song! The dates are Monday […]
Sand, Silt, Flint – Fiona Soe Paing at Edinburgh Fringe 2026
One of the most striking shows in this year’s Made in Scotland showcase, Sand, Silt, Flint brings together music, myth and moving image in a performance rooted in the landscape and folklore of North-East Scotland. Created and performed by Fiona Soe Paing, with visuals by Isla Goldie and costume by April XJ Pressley, the show weaves experimental […]
Scottish Poetry Library and Gies A Scots Poem Day
The Scottish Poetry Library (SPL) has been a proud partner in this year’s Gies A Scots Poem Day, commissioning a stunning suite of new poems in Scots to mark a landmark anniversary. 2026 is the centenary of Hugh MacDiarmid’s A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle — a foundational work for contemporary poetry in Scots, and a […]
Fresh Ayr today released its complete programme for 2026, with the three-day festival taking place at Troon Concert Hall and across Troon town centre from 14 to 16 August.
The headline act is Le Vent du Nord, the Quebec-based folk band who close Saturday evening at Troon Concert Hall. The band has been touring for over two decades, won two Juno Awards and recorded 13 albums. Their sound is rooted in traditional Québécois music with a strong Celtic influence and a reputation for live […]
Rumbo North Isles brings Orkney, Shetland and Argentina together for new cross-cultural festival
Routes to Roots, an artist-led organisation focused on international collaboration, announces Rumbo North Isles, a new festival bringing musicians from Orkney and Shetland together with artists from Argentina for a series of live performances and creative exchanges this August. The project builds on the organisation’s first festival, Rumbo Oaxaca, which took place in Mexico earlier in […]
Gael Force 10! All-star line up set for Glasgow’s Royal National Mòd
Forces of nature from across Scotland’s Gaelic and traditional music world are set to gather in Glasgow for a one-off spectacular night as part of the Royal National Mòd. Forming the finale of Scotland’s premier festival of Gaelic language, music and culture, Gael Force 10 will take over the Barrowland Ballroom on Friday 16 October 2026, with tickets on sale […]
Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame Services to Community 2026 Inductees Announced
Hands Up for Trad is delighted to reveal the 2026 inductees to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame Services to Community section. These remarkable individuals have given their time, energy, and expertise to nurturing, teaching, and sustaining Scotland’s traditional music heritage, making an extraordinary difference to the communities they serve. The Services to Community […]
Foot Stompin’ Free Scottish Music Podcast No 259
Hello! Here is our June 2026 edition of the Foot Stompin Scottish Music Podcast featuring lots of great music from our wonderful scene. Any questions please get in touch! If you would like to support this podcast please visit www.patreon.com/handsupfortrad Spodo Komodo by Spodo Komodo Track – Get Rich or Die Trying https://spodokomodomusic.bandcamp.com Windblown by Karine Polwart & […]
Gies A Scots Poem Day is back on Wednesday 10th June
Gies A Scots Poem Day is back on Wednesday 10th June and we’re absolutely delighted to be partnering once again with the Scottish Poetry Library to make it even better! We want as many of you as possible to get involved — write it, record it, video it — whatever takes your fancy! Share your favourite Scots […]