Following a competitive selection process, the twelve semi-finalists have been announced for the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2026. 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 […]
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Over 200 musicians set to light up the Highlands from Applecross to Arisaig as Blas Festival kicks off this weekend
The Highlands will come alive with traditional music as one of Scotland’s top festivals kicks off with over 200 musicians, of all ages, taking to the stage across the Highlands from Friday. Running from 5th– 13th September, the 21st Blas Festival will feature some of the finest traditional musicians from Scotland and Ireland, including acclaimed artists Julie […]
Moray music festival to welcome trad royalty for debut performances in 2026
Scottish music festival Speyfest has unveiled the first acts on its 2026 line up, with Scottish and Irish traditional music royalty set to grace its stages next summer including Northern Ireland’s energetic trad pop outfit The Tumbling Paddies and Scotland’s acclaimed songstress Karen Matheson. Alongside The Tumbling Paddies, the scene’s brightest new talent Astro Bloc […]
The Land We Call Home – Songs and Tales by Andy Mitchell
It was through first-hand experience that Andy commented with insightful and often humorous songs and tales on the immense changes he saw throughout the Highlands, particularly in the fishing industry. Large full colour book with 25 original songs and over fifty archive photographs. Get it here.Songs are available on Bandcamp: https://andy-mitchell.bandcamp.com/ BOOK LAUNCH EVENTS Tuesday […]
Scots Language Awards 2025 shortlist unveiled – Last week to vote!
Fae braw sangsters, wunnerfu theatre productions, dedicatit dominies, giftit scrievers throu tae a dug groomin ootfit an a social enterprise cafe, ilka ain o the 45 nominees, are celebratin an showcasin the Scots leid in their ain wey. Noo in its seventh year, the ‘Scots Language Awards’ wir set up an organisit bi the cultural […]
Glasgow Folk Music Workshop new term!
GLASGOW FOLK MUSIC WORKSHOPClasses start on 18th and 20th August some on line. https://gfw.scot This is a brilliant organisation. They teach adults and juniors a wide range of instruments with a membership of around 400 plus members in Springburn Campus, Kelvin College, Glasgow. Their focus is on playing by ear and teaching Scottish music. There […]
Isla Ratcliff – The Scottish Four Seasons crowdfunder
Isla Ratcliff is currently crowdfunding to make her second album, The Scottish Four Seasons, a Scottish trad arrangement of Vivaldi’s famous work. Isla has taken Vivaldi’s famous melodies and made them sound Scottish – by changing the chords, the time signatures, the instrumental textures, and in some cases writing completely new melodies over Vivaldi’s original chord progressions. With […]
London Fiddle School sessions this Autumn with Pete Cooper
English Fiddle Tunes Reunion with Pete Cooper Pete will lead the tunes in person on Wednesday evening at Cecil Sharp House, joined by Richard Bolton on cello and guitar, then on Thursday the same tunes on Zoom. You can join him for either session or, at no extra charge, both! Note that the workshop is two hours […]
Piping Live! Big Band Blasts Off with Biggest Band Yet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOver 200 musicians from around the world played as one to mark the beginning of this year’s Piping Live! Festival Marching to the beat of their own drum, quite literally, the Piping Live! Big Band in Glasgow marked the start of the popular international festival which every year sees thousands of piping enthusiasts […]
Ceilearadh: Simon Thoumire’s Highland Bagpipe Sonatas Premiere at Piping Live
Hands Up for Trad is delighted to announce the premiere of founder Simon Thoumire’s latest work, Ceilearadh, at the Piping Live Festival on Thursday 14th August at 1:30pm in the Bothy tent. This collection of three Highland Bagpipe Sonatas represents a significant addition to the piping repertoire – extended compositions that bridge traditional and contemporary approaches […]