Sessions and Sail are delighted to announce that applications for their 2026 Scottish Bursary Scheme are now open. The scheme offers six fully-funded places for folk musicians to join one of their Scottish voyages for free, including food, accommodation and musical tuition.
The bursary is designed to support folk musicians who might not usually have access to an experience like this, with a particular focus on young people aged 18–25 and those from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Each trip combines hands-on sailing, expert musical tuition and nightly music sessions while exploring Scotland’s stunning coasts and islands.
Available Voyage Options for 2026:
- Celtic Fringe 2026: Barra to Orkney | May 17 – 23, 2026
- Celtic Fringe 2026: Orkney to Shetland | May 24 – 30, 2026
- Simmer Dim B 2026: Shetland | June 21 – 27, 2026
- Skaldic Fringe 2026: Shetland to Mallaig | June 28 – July 4, 2026
- Hebrides 2026: Barra to Oban | August 2 – 8, 2026
Benefits of the Bursary Scheme
Bursary recipients gain the chance to develop both musical and seafaring skills while taking part in an immersive, supportive experience. Participants help crew the tall ship Lady of Avenel, take part in workshops and tuition, join traditional music sessions and build confidence through collaboration, adventure and shared discovery.
Previous Bursary Holder Experience
“Coming aboard the Lady of Avenel felt like stepping back in time. The hempen rope trailing up the mast, the canvas sails stowed across the yardarm, the rigging. It could have been ripped straight from a tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. … The greatest treasure of all, though, was found off Sanda Island. After working to lash the sails, tidy the lines, and share an incredible lasagne followed by yet another fantastic session, I received an alert: Meteor shower tonight. So, alarm set for 3 a.m., I crept out of my bunk with a blanket and two beanbags, climbed on deck, and lay back to watch the sky. Coming from an island, I’m used to dark skies — but this was something else. No city glow, no clouds, no wind. Just the entire cosmos spread above me like a sea of jewels. I watched shooting stars streak overhead, the boat rocking gently beneath me, until I drifted to sleep. I was woken by Nessie, who was just as surprised to find me there as I was to discover it was already morning. I loved the experience so much that I spent the rest of my nights on deck — just me, the sun, and the sky.” — Ryan Worrell, Firth of Clyde 2025
How to Apply: Apply online via the link on our website and social media channels.
Deadline: 8th February 2026
For questions or further information:
- E-mail: bursary@sessionsandsail.com
- Website: sessionsandsail.com/bursary-scheme
- Socials: @SessionsAndSail
About Sessions and Sail:
Since 2018, Sessions and Sail has offered musical tall-ship voyages exploring regional culture, sailing traditions, and folk music. From Scotland and Ireland to Australia and Italy, each voyage offers a unique blend of adventure, skill-building and communit; creating lasting memories for musicians of all backgrounds.