Hands Up for Trad are inviting bands to send in a demo to take part in The Battle of the Folk Bands 2027 competition to be held at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival on Saturday January 30th 2027 at 1pm. FILL IN THE FORM BELOW If you are in a band or have an idea for […]
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BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2027 Semi-Finalists Announced
Following a competitive selection process, the twelve semi-finalists have been announced for the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2027. These exceptional young artists, representing a diverse range of traditional Scottish instruments and vocal traditions, will compete for the prestigious title and the opportunity to launch their careers in traditional music. The Semi Finals […]
From a single event of 50 young musicians to a year-long programme for over 5,000 – Fèis Rois celebrates 40 years of transforming the arts across the Highlands
A spectacular anniversary concert will bring together four decades of Fèis Rois participants and the next generation of traditional musicians Fèis Rois will mark its 40th anniversary with a special concert next week bringing together musicians from across four decades of the charity’s history, alongside some of the young performers who represent its future. In […]
An Aberdeen Folk Orchestra Workshop with Dr Richard Michael
Amateur musicians are invited to join Aberdeen Folk Orchestra (AFO) for a friendly one-day workshop on Saturday 3rd October 2026, 10am–4pm (time TBC), at the Phoenix Centre, Newton Dee, Bieldside, Aberdeen, AB15 9DX. AFO have long been keen to bring Dr Richard Michael on board to lead one of their events — and they’re delighted he’s agreed to […]
Unique celebration of Gaelic poetry launches Glasgow’s countdown to the Royal National Mòd
As Glasgow prepares to welcome the world’s biggest Gaelic language, culture and music festival next month – the Royal National Mòd – the event’s fringe programme is launching with a special celebration of over 1,000 years of Gaelic poetry. Contemporary arts venue Tramway in the city’s southside is the stage on Thursday 10 September for Oidhche nam Bàrd […]
Fergusson’s Auld Reikie returns to Portobello
After selling out in 2024, Fergusson’s Auld Reikie is back for another airing — a celebration of the genius of 18th century Edinburgh poet Robert Fergusson, brought to life through poetry, music and song. Sunday 20 September, 3pm–5pm (doors 2.30pm) Portobello Town Hall, Edinburgh Robert Fergusson’s verse captured the teeming life of Edinburgh’s closes, tenements and taverns in […]
Scots Language Awards unveil ‘affa fine’ shortlist as voting opens
It is a pleesure tae say the number o nominees for the Scots Leid Awards submitit ower the sindrie categories haes bin jist grand! An it wis wunnerfu tae lairn aboot the fowk, a wheen o names we aaready kent whiles ithers wir new tae us, ettlin tae mak shuir oor braw Scots leid steys […]
Teenage Harp Weekend – Edinburgh, 5–6 September
🎶 BEATS • LOOPS • GROOVES • HARP 🎶 Ready to discover what else your harp can do? Ignite Arts is running a two-day creative workshop for teenage harpists in Edinburgh this September, exploring contemporary approaches to harp playing with two of Scotland’s most exciting young harpists, Dara Dubh and Malachy Arnold — plus a Saltire Harp Centre harp […]
Inverness Castle provides new stage for tradition during this September’s Blas Festival
Blas Festival has revealed the full line-up for Còmhraidhean aig a’ Chaisteal (Castle Conversations), a new series of intimate events that will see Inverness Castle become a place for sharing the stories behind Scotland’s traditional music. The three events, as part of the 9-day Highland festival, will invite audiences to look beyond the performances, delving into the personal […]
Rare posters from first Mòds restored to former glory
A set of remarkable artefacts which tell the story of the beginnings of the Royal National Mòd and a significant moment in the history of Scottish Gaelic culture, are being returned to public view next month following an important restoration project. Two original posters dating back to the 1890s marking the first ever editions of the Royal National […]