Join Arthur, Ruairidh, Eilidh and Iain Cormack, with five Mòd Gold Medals between them, for en evening of Gaelic song, music and fun at this year’s Royal National Mòd in the New Auditorium at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 10 October at 7.30pm. They will be joined by very special guests, the talented […]
Newsletter
Announcing the Distil Meet-Up Series 2026/2027 – Tom Bancroft 24th September
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. […]
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Scots Fiddle Festival.
Join them at The Pleasance in Edinburgh from 20-22 November as they celebrate their 30th birthday. Launched in 1996 with the aim of promoting and sustaining traditional Scots fiddle music, the Festival brings people together every year from all over the world – both performers and audience members – and continues to inspire thousands of […]
Battle of The Folk Bands 2027 – Open for Entries
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 […]
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 […]