Ok first a disclaimer. I’m married to the fiddler in Deaf Shepherd. I married Clare 1. because she’s beautiful and talented and 2. because she was in Deaf Shepherd! I mean what a band. Three fabulous albums of fiddle, bagpipes and Scots song. Last night was the band’s first gig in 9 years but you […]
Newsletter
Curtain set to rise on Celtic Connections 2019
The world-leading annual music festival Celtic Connections begins this Thursday (17 January) with around 100 young musicians from across Scotland and Showcase Scotland partner-country Galicia taking to the stage of the Main Auditorium at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, alongside some of the most well-respected Scottish musicians to have emerged since the festival first began in […]
Duncan MacInnes, MBE
Duncan MacInnes, rural events promoter, was honoured with an MBE in the New Year Honours 2019 List for his services to the arts and natural environment on the Isle of Skye. Duncan lives in Sleat with his wife Polly. “I am delighted to receive this honour and am grateful to those in the community who […]
Traditional music and dance festival delivering significant economic benefit in Dumfries & Galloway
Approaching its 6th annual event this coming 12-14th July 2019, Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival has gone from strength to strength since its first, self-funded, event in 2014. It is now recognised as one of Dumfries & Galloway’s major arts, culture and heritage events, with analysis from Dumfries & Galloway Council […]
Battle of The Folk Bands 2019 – Come to the final 19th January Glasgow.
Congratulations to the 4 bands who have made it through to Battle of The Folk Bands 2019 which take place at Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow this coming January 19th at 1pm at the Drygate, Glasgow. Buy tickets here. The last two finals have been fantastic occasions and the 2019 finals will be no different. […]
Shetland Folk Festival 2019 Visiting Artist Line-up
Shetland Folk Festival fans can now start getting into a listening frenzy and counting down the days till 2nd May and the 39th Festival as organisers launch this year’s visiting artists line-up. The 39th Festival will feature visiting musicians from over ten countries and spanning various genres. As in previous years there will be a […]
Gender Equality in the Scottish Folk and Traditional Music Scene by Catriona Hawksworth
More men than women are performing at the highest professional level in the folk scene in Scotland. This can be seen in festival lineups, where more men than women are booked as headline acts. This is not due to a lack of female performers, as almost equal numbers of men and women claimed to have […]
Merry Christmas from Hands Up for Trad
Hands Up for Trad would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year! Below is a great Christmas song from Scots and Gaelic Singer Josie Duncan. She is releasing 1 per day. You can view them all here.
Tap 10 wirds the Scots language haes gien the warld
I read this great article on makforrit.scot by Jamie Smith. Enjoy and read the whole article here! The fowk o Scotland haes aye haed a wey wi wirds, frae the poyetry o the 15t an 16t centuries tae the ‘Scottish people Twitter’ o the day. Sae it’s nae surprise that ower the centuries the Scots language haes […]
Winners Announced for MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2018
Hands up for Trad celebrates Scotland’s vibrant traditional music scene with a staggering 20 awards announced at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Produced by Hands Up for Trad and a staple in the Scottishmusic calendar, the ceremony was broadcast live on BBC ALBA and BBC Radio Scotland this evening, as well as being streamed worldwide. The event saw an abundance of music fans and industry gather in Perth, Scotland for an evening of recognition and foot-stomping live performances. Hosted by world-renowned Gaelic […]