Congratulations to Aberdeenshire Mandolin Band who has been nominated in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2025. Vote now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 6th December in Aberdeen Music Hall. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Craig of Aberdeenshire Mandolin Band the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
The Aberdeenshire Mandolin Band is an informal non-profit community music group in Aberdeenshire, that meet monthly at Oyne Village Hall. Organised and run by Craig Dyke & Donald Macphee, we work on musical arrangements with mandolin (and mandolin family) instruments and try to encourage the development of mandolin playing and perform with the mandolin band in the local area. This has led to some members playing in public for the first time and we are also really lucky to have the support of some experienced players joining us as well. We’ve got fantastic and enthusiastic members and anyone is welcome to join us at any playing ability.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Playing Scottish traditional music with a room full of mandolins is just really good fun – and it sounds great too!
Any particular career highlights?
The mandolin band organised and put on workshops and a gig (that sold out) in the summer, with Jenn Butterworth & Laura-Beth Salter as the workshop tutors and headline act, with the mandolin band as the support act. It was really special to have the mandolin band play to a packed out crowd of friends and family and having the whole mandolin band involved in every aspect of organising and helping out.
What are your plans for the future?
More performances with the mandolin band, organizing more workshops to bring great mandolin players and tutors to our local area and really just keep on doing what we’re doing – having a lot of fun, making good music and having plenty of tea breaks!
Aberdeenshire Mandolin Band Social Media
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Aberdeenshire-Mandolin-Band-61567817233243/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Aberdeenshire-Mandolin-Band-61567817233243/
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YouTube:
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The 2025 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 6th December 2025 in Aberdeen Music Hall! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here). Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night in the Granite City will also welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including beloved singer Hannah Rarity, UK folk legends The Poozies, trad pop band Mec Lir and BBC Radio scotland Young Traditional Musician and Scots Performer o the Year Ellie Beaton and many more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.