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Hands Up for Trad\u2019s Women in Music and Culture 2025 list has been announced to celebrate just some of the women working in Scotland. <\/p>\nHands Up for Trad\u2019s Women in Music and Culture 2025 list has been announced to celebrate just some of the women working in Scotland. <\/p>\n
Launched as part of International Women\u2019s Day 2025<\/a>, we shine the spotlight on 12 women who all contribute towards Scotland\u2019s cultural landscape through their work. Read the 2025 list here<\/a>.<\/p>\n We asked Mary MacMaster<\/strong> to tell us more about her work, influences and ambitions for the future.<\/p>\n How did you first get involved in the arts and who were your early influences?<\/strong> Early influences, Dusty Springfield, the Beatles and the Stones!<\/p>\n Found folk\/trad music in my late teens. In a time when many artists and creative professionals are facing significant challenges, how have you developed and evolved your creative practice over the past few years?<\/strong> Since lockdown this has included working with Rodrigo Romanes’ amazing Orchestra Son de Seu in Galicia, with Anne Wood, in her play When Mountain’s Meet and, of course, with Eilidh Shaw, Sarah McFadyen and Mike Bryan in the continuing story of the Poozies. Who or what interests you creatively?<\/strong> What are your plans for the next year or so and\/or what are your longer term creative ambitions?<\/strong> Find out more about Mary MacMaster here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read the Hands Up for Trad\u2019s Women in Music and Culture 2024 List<\/a><\/p>\n
\nI was in my primary school recorder group. We won the Greenock Music Festival!<\/p>\n
\nAlain Stivell’s Renaissance of the Celtic Harp was my Eureka moment.<\/p>\n
\nI am lucky enough to have been asked to collaborate with other performers.
\nFor me, this is the best way to develop and evolve.<\/p>\n
\nPast members Patsy Seddon, Karen Tweed and Tia Files were also very important for my musical evolution.<\/p>\n
\nI am fascinated by the upsurge of women in the creative arts – my feeling is that we were always here, it’s just we don’t get written about by those who write the histories. This also goes for social\/cultural\/political history.<\/p>\n
\nThis year I am working on a project with Donald Hay for the next Trad Fest.
\nIt is called For the Love of Trees. The other musicians are Mairearad Green, Ciar\u00e0n Ryan, Pete Harvey and Amy MacDougall.<\/p>\n