12 emerging musicians from across Scotland are preparing to take the next step in their musical journeys as they join the 2026 Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail, one of the country’s most respected development opportunities for young traditional musicians, which has been a springboard for some of Scotland’s top folk musicians.
For more than two decades, the Ceilidh Trail has provided aspiring musicians with a stepping stone between education and a professional touring career. This summer’s participants will spend three weeks performing to audiences across Scotland, gaining hands-on experience of touring, collaborating and connecting with communities through traditional music.
Selected through a competitive audition process, this year’s musicians represent the strength and diversity of Scotland’s traditional music scene. Performing in two touring bands, they will bring music, song and dance to venues ranging from village halls and community events to festivals, theatres and cultural attractions, including performances at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Under Canvas at Eden Court Theatre, Abertarff House (Inverness’ oldest residential house, built in 1593), The Glad Café in Glasgow and Inverewe Garden.
The 2026 musicians are: Niall Bayne, Anndra Cumming (Laide), Hamish Martindale, Kisna Panesar, Luca Sant Angelo, Vaila Brewer, Emma Cameron, Findlay Graham, Seathan Fisher, Sophie Stewart, Isaac Baptist, and Niamh Mercer.
Fiona Dalgetty, Fèis Rois Chief Executive commented: “This year’s Ceilidh Trail is particularly special as Fèis Rois celebrates its 40th anniversary. From an initial small event in 1986 which attracted about 50 people, we now engage with thousands of people every year. We have a busy year-round programme, with a local, national and international reach, and now contract nearly 200 freelance musicians to work with 5,000+ children, young people and adult learners every year.”
Before taking to the road, the musicians will come together for an intensive residential training week led by a team of professional musicians and singers including Mairearad Green, Kim Richards, Anne Wood, and Arthur Cormack. Alongside rehearsals, participants will receive practical training in areas such as stagecraft, sound production, event management and audience engagement, helping them develop the skills needed to build sustainable careers in the arts.
Christian Gamauf, Creative Producer at Fèis Rois, added: “The Ceilidh Trail gives young musicians the chance to experience the realities of professional touring, build confidence, develop new skills and form lasting creative connections. Many former participants have gone on to become leading figures in Scotland’s traditional music scene, and we’re excited to see what this year’s musicians will achieve.”
“The Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail was started in 2000 and has helped launch the careers of some of Scotland’s best-known traditional musicians, including Mischa Macpherson, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Rachel Newton, Kim Carnie, Conal McDonagh, Charlie Grey and Joseph Peach.”
Full tour dates and ticket information are available at www.feisrois.org.