Beloved international music festival HebCelt enjoyed recorded attendance figures in 2022, and brought a £4.2 million boost to the Lewis economy – doubling its economic impact since 2018 – it has been revealed. Held between 13th – 16th July 2022, the first full scale live event in three years recorded a staggering attendance of 18,540 – 4% […]
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The Glenfiddich Piping Championship returns on Saturday 29th October
Ten of the world’s greatest solo pipers will compete in this year’s Glenfiddich Piping Championship, as the renowned competition returns to the spectacular Blair Castle on Saturday 29th October. Competing this year are defending champion Jack Lee, Dollar’s Callum Beaumont, Glasgow-based Canadian piper Glenn Brown, Jamie Forrester from London, Canadian Alex Gandy, the USA’s Nick Hudson, Willie McCallum of Bearsden, Benderloch’s Angus D. MacColl, […]
Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2023. Get involved!
Seachdain na Gàidhlig aims to promote Gaelic for all, through official events and community initiatives, akin to Seachdain na Gaeilge in Ireland and Mìos nan Gàidheal in Nova Scotia. Taking place from 20th – 26th February 2023, it will provide the opportunity for both Gaelic speakers and learners to get involved and celebrate the language at […]
Celtic Connections Launches 30th Anniversary Festival
Celtic Connections, the home of world-class music, one-off collaborations, and genre-defying spectacles, is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary this January. The internationally renowned festival will mark this milestone with an ambitious and eclectic programme of music that will be showcased between Thursday 19th January – Sunday 5th February 2023. The 30th Anniversary will be a pinnacle […]
Join Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hot House Flowers), Kathleen MacInnes, Alana MacInnes for a special Cuairt nan Òran tour starting 13th October
Irish Multi-instrumentalist, Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hot House Flowers) join Gàidhlig singer Kathleen MacInnes and piper & flautist Alana MacInnes from South Uist for this special Cuairt nan Òran tour. This trio will give and take from both sides of the Irish Sea to compare and celebrate Gaelic music; the tunes and songs which make up […]
Distil Showcase is back in Edinburgh’s Storytelling Centre, Saturday 12th November.
Distil Showcase is back! For the first time since before lockdown Mr McFall’s Chamber and traditional musicians Sophie Joint, Beccy Hill, Calum McIllroy, Neil Sutcliffe, Lorne MacDougall, Claire Gullan, Andrew Herrington and Emma Tomlinson will be getting together to perform brand new music written by musicians who have participated in Hands Up for Trad’s Distil Project. The concert was on Saturday 12th November in Edinburgh’s […]
Welcome Fraser Shaw Trust. New sponsors of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.
We are delighted to welcome Fraser Shaw Trust as a sponsor of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. They are sponsoring Club of the Year. Nominate your favourite club now. Fraser Shaw was a wonderful piper, whistle player and composer from Glasgow. He started playing the pipes at the age of 6, and at […]
BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2023 Semi-finalists announced!
Congratulations to the 12 young musicians who have made it to the semi-finalists of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2023. They will perform on October 30th to a panel of judges in BBC Scotland who will choose 6 musicians to go to the finals on Sunday 5th February at Celtic Connections Festival in […]
We are looking for Trad Awards sponsors
We have a couple of MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards that we need sponsors for. Can you help? The awards are Trad Video of the Year and Community Project of the Year. If you would like to get involved please contact persephone@handsupfortrad.co.uk. The are some great benefits including tickets to the 2 x Premium […]
Gaelic and Scots and Scottish Languages Bill Consultations
The Scottish Government has made a number of commitments to the Gaelic and Scots languages. Among these there are four key commitments which can be regarded as particularly significant with the other commitments falling under these broad areas. The four key commitments are: to establish a new strategic approach to Gaelic medium education (GME) to explore the creation of […]