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Hands Up for Trad

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Top of the trad charts: Music award nominees unveiled as voting opens

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2026 Finalists Announced

Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) 2026 launches with rallying call to “use it, or lose it”

Bridge Over Little Stream by Rhona Smith

Foot Stompin’ Podcast

Foot Stompin’ Podcast

The Foot Stompin' podcast is one of the longest running Scottish traditional music podcast - if not the longest! Have a listen to the all the podcasts below. … Read more about Foot Stompin’ Podcast

Latest News

Strathspey and Surreal Orchestra, Scots Fiddle Festival, Saturday 15th November 2025 | 7:30pm The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh

We're thrilled to announce that the Strathspey and Surreal Fiddle Orchestra will be performing at this year's Scots Fiddle Festival, sharing the bill with the fantastic Saltfishforty and Scots Fiddle Festival Youth Engagement Project. The Strathspey and Surreal Fiddle Orchestra brings together some of Scotland's finest fiddlers in a vibrant celebration of traditional music reimagined for … [Read More...] about Strathspey and Surreal Orchestra, Scots Fiddle Festival, Saturday 15th November 2025 | 7:30pm The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh

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More News and Opportunities

Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary Celebration with David Francis and Louis DeCarlo

Join Hands Up for Trad for an intimate celebration marking two decades of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Host David Francis sits down with renowned photographer Louis DeCarlo, whose lens has captured every inductee since the Hall of Fame’s inception in 2005. Louis will share captivating stories from his photographic journey across Scotland and Ireland, including […]

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Christmas Songbook to take festive cheer on tour across Scotland

Scotland’s iconic Christmas Songbook is back for 2025, promising to sprinkle even more festive magic across Scotland this December.  With a legendary line up fronted by beloved accordion player Phil Cunningham, dazzling new arrangements, and the same heartwarming charm that has made it a seasonal staple for nearly two decades, this year’s tour is set to be one […]

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Annual Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture – Saturday 15th November

This year’s Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture is presented by David Francis, hosted by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland). Tradition as Heritage: Enclosing the Commons The UK Government signed the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024 and is currently looking at what that means in practical terms. When the traditional arts […]

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Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub – a Community crowdfunding project in Edinburgh

Pianodrome are raising funds to create a warm, beautiful community hub in the centre of Edinburgh with our Pianodrome at its heart. The Pianodrome is the world’s first 100-seater amphitheatre made entirely from disused pianos. Since our first Pianodrome amphitheatre was built in 2018 we have continued to create unique playable, community-centred sculptures, activating them […]

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Top of the trad charts: Music award nominees unveiled as voting opens

Talent from all corners of the Scottish folk and traditional music scene have been named among the nominees for this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Around 100 nominees have been shortlisted across 22 categories as the biggest award ceremony celebrating Scotland’s traditional music scene embarks on its 23rd edition. Much-loved venues, stand-out events, […]

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Big Burns Supper reveals new format for 2026

The 14th Big Burns Supper programme has launched with a total reworking of the entire festival format for the 2026 edition of the winter festival. The continuation of the Northern Lights Dumfries programme, which includes 14 sound and light installations as part of a free town-wide trail co-created with a range of different partners, will […]

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Patsy Reid Brings Simon Thoumire’s Compositions to Life on “I Am Disposed To Mirth”

A stunning new album showcases the fiddle music of Simon Thoumire in what may be one of the finest fiddle performances of all time When a master fiddler meets masterful compositions, something magical happens. Patsy Reid’s new album “I Am Disposed To Mirth” is exactly that kind of magic – a breathtaking interpretation of Simon […]

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Memorial concert for Charlie Allan

A special concert will be held on 21 November at Inverurie’s Acorn Centre to celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Charlie Allan, the much-loved North East farmer, writer, musician, and athlete whose influence touched many over decades. Charlie Allan, who died in 2023, was known for his deep connection to rural life, his gift […]

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Bridge Over Little Stream by Rhona Smith

Bridge over Little Stream was first commissioned in 2017 after Rhona Smith performed her piece ‘Shetland Journey’ at the Distil showcase. Hands Up for Trad approached her and suggested she work on a duet with Su-a Lee (cello). Hands Up for Trad asked Rhona to compose a piece with the idea of Su-a and Rhona […]

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A decade of cultural impact to be celebrated at landmark anniversary concert

Fèis Phàislig, Renfrewshire’s celebrated traditional music and Gaelic arts charity, has announced details of a major anniversary concert to mark ten years of providing cultural opportunities for young people. The showcase event will take place at the iconic Paisley Town Hall on Saturday 7th February 2026, bringing together over 100 performers from the organisation’s past […]

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