CalMac will kick-start the party for music festival fans heading to Stornoway by bringing back the much-loved ‘HebCelt Ferry’ to celebrate this year’s Lewis spectacular with what have become among the most fun-packed sailings in the fleet. The 386ft long MV Loch Seaforth, which can carry up to 700 passengers, will lend her name to […]
Newsletter
The Lindsay System – A Grassroots Development in Scottish Piping
For the past two decades, Donald WG Lindsay has been quietly developing a new fingering and chanter system for bellows-blown pipes. Entirely keyless, yet capable of over two octaves (and sometimes more), the system evolved from personal experimentation and is now known as the Lindsay System Chanter – or LSC for short. Twelve years ago, […]
Assembly Festival reveals full programme for Folk & Food Fest 2025
In just one month, this vibrant city-centre celebration will take over two venues in Assembly Festival’s George Square Gardens — the iconic Palais du Variété Spiegeltent and the new Piccolo Kitchen — offering a lively programme of free and ticketed events, from markets and masterclasses to workshops, quizzes and live music. MasterChef star, food author […]
Tickets on Sale Now for 2025 Braemar Folk Festival
HEADLINERS VALTOS AND TRIP – WITH PUB SESSIONS, BOTHY GIG, WORKSHOPS AND MORE Braemar Folk Festival returns for its fifth year this October, with a powerhouse line-up of cutting edge traditional and folk music artists among the line-up announced this week. The festival, taking place in and around the iconic Deeside village of Braemar in […]
Hold on Tight! By Magnus Turpie Combo
‘Hold On Tight’ by Magnus Turpie Combo is a lively mixture of dance sets and classic songs. It features a cast of many well known artists with Magnus Turpie taking the lead on accordion throughout. It is presented in a plastic-free 6 part cardboard wallet featuring content about the band, some personal artwork by Magnus […]
Take Six by Graham Mackenzie and Rory Matheson
‘Take Six’ is the new album by fiddle and piano duo Graham Mackenzie and Rory Matheson. Recorded over two days, it captures the raw intensity of live performance, each track selected from the sixth and final studio take – Take Six. Produced by Graham Mackenzie and Rory MathesonRecorded, Mixed and Mastered by Stuart Hamilton at […]
Scots to shine to Ayrshire again as details of braw awards celebration announced
Gies a Scots Poem Day saw the launch of this year’s Scots Language Awards, which will return to Ayrshire in 2025 after a successful first visit to the area last year. Taking place at Cumnock Town Hall on Saturday 13th September, the Scots Language Awards are Scotland’s annual celebration and night of recognition for all those involved in the promotion of […]
Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame Services to Community 2025 Inductees Announced
Dr Paul Murray by Louis DeCarlo Hands Up for Trad proudly announces the 2025 inductees to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame Services to Community section, sponsored by Fèisean nan Gàidheal. These exceptional individuals have dedicated their lives to nurturing, teaching, and sustaining Scotland’s traditional music heritage through selfless service to their communities. The […]
MG ALBA’s Margaret Cameron receives special recognition at RTS Scotland Awards
Meal do naidheachd (congratulations) to Margaret Cameron, a long time friend of Hands Up for Trad and the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. The Royal Television Society (RTS) Scotland hosted its annual awards ceremony on Friday (6 June) where Margaret Cameron, director of content at MG ALBA, was honoured with the prestigious RTS Scotland […]
Introducing the Distil Meet-Up Series 2025/2026
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. […]