The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCo) has been hailed a resounding success after five days of music, culture and international collaboration brought thousands of visitors to venues across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The 2026 festival transformed the north east into a global meeting place for traditional music, with audiences travelling from across Scotland, the UK and overseas to experience a programme celebrating the rich fiddle traditions of the North Atlantic.
More than 100 professional artists took part in this year’s convention, joined by 80 young musicians performing as part of the International Youth Celebration and around 100 local young performers who showcased the strength of traditional music across the region. Throughout the week, additional local musicians also entertained residents and visitors with free pop-up performances in Aberdeen city centre, bringing the festival atmosphere to the streets and attracting new audiences to the event.
Concerts, workshops, sessions, performances and community events took place over five days at venues across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, reinforcing the region’s reputation as an international destination for traditional music and cultural exchange.
Festival Director Laura Harrington said, “NAFCo 2026 has exceeded all of our expectations. Seeing thousands of people come together to celebrate fiddle music, culture and friendship has been incredibly rewarding. The response from audiences, performers, volunteers and partners has been overwhelmingly positive and demonstrates the important role that events like NAFCo play in bringing communities together while showcasing the north east on an international stage.
“One of the most special aspects of this year’s convention was seeing so many generations of musicians performing side by side, from young local players taking to the stage alongside internationally renowned artists, to families sharing music together. That sense of connection is exactly what NAFCo is all about.”
The festival welcomed artists from across Europe, Canada and beyond, highlighting the shared musical heritage that connects communities around the North Atlantic.
Among the many memorable moments was the final series of performances by internationally acclaimed duo Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, whose partnership has spanned 26 years and taken them to stages across the world.
In a special concert finale, they were joined on stage by Canadian fiddle legend Natalie MacMaster, alongside her husband Donnell Leahy and their eldest children Mary Frances and Michael Leahy, who travelled to Scotland to perform.
Reflecting on the festival and the welcome they received, Natalie MacMaster commented, “I was delightedly impressed by the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Scotland last week. So many fiddlers from many parts of the globe collected together and discovered the strong and deep running bond we all share through the history of fiddle music in various regions around the world. Incredible multi-generational gathering.”
Organisers say the success of this year’s event has already sparked conversations about the future of the convention.
Preliminary discussions are now underway with potential host destinations for future editions of the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, ensuring the unique celebration of North Atlantic fiddle traditions continues to grow.
Further details will be announced in due course.
For now, organisers are reflecting on what has been one of the most ambitious and successful conventions to date, made possible through the support of audiences, artists, volunteers, partners and funders who helped create an unforgettable celebration of music, heritage and international friendship.