Congratulations to Blazin’ Fiddles 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 Kristan of Blazin’ Fiddles the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Take the finest exponents of their native Scottish fiddle styles, the finest backing in folk music, and some of the Highlands and Islands’ famed warmth and craic… distil for over 25 years, and you get Blazin’ Fiddles!
One of the most lauded and best-loved acts of the Scottish music scene, from the moment the multi award-winning Blazers take the stage to whisk you on a thrilling musical journey, you’re in the finest of company. The mastery of fiddle virtuosos, Jenna Reid (Shetland), Kristan Harvey (Orkney) and Rua Macmillan (Highlands), grounded by the second to none, driving accompaniment of Angus Lyon (piano) and Anna Massie (guitar), will leave you reeling.
For over a quarter of a century, no other band has quite captured Scottish fiddle music’s variety, energy and sensitivity like Blazin’ Fiddles. Atop many musical twists and turns, the group’s quicksilver playing is matched by lightning sharp humour and uproarious stories from their many tunes and travels. Whatever the hall – whether of the Royal Albert or highland village variety – they’ll turn it into the liveliest and warmest of hootenannies.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
It all began for Blazin’ Fiddles back in 1998. Bruce MacGregor had a real bee in his bonnet – why was Scottish folk music not getting the recognition it deserved, on a world stage? He wanted to change that. It was at this point that the first incarnation of Blazin’ Fiddles was assembled, bringing together Bruce, Iain Macfarlane, Allan Henderson, Catriona Macdonald, Aidan O’Rourke and Duncan Chisholm on fiddle, alongside Andy Thorburn on piano and Marc Clement on guitar. Originally destined to play a one-off tour around the Scottish Highlands, each musician brought their own unique and distinctive style to the mix, coming together to showcase the varying regional fiddle styles of Scotland on the same stage, under one name.
Now in 2025, 27 years later and with a few personnel changes along the way, Blazin’ Fiddles continues to go from strength to strength since that initial tour. The ethos has always remained the same – to showcase and celebrate the regional fiddle styles of Scotland to audiences across the world.
Any particular career highlights?
There are too many highlights to name in the band’s 27yr history… We have travelled the world and played festivals and venues the band could only dream of when it all began in 1998. For us, bringing our music to any audience, old or new, is a privilege that we never take for granted. Knowing that our concerts have the potential to bring people together in a positive way is as good as it gets – whether that be in a grand concert hall, or a cosy village hall.
Our most recent highlight was playing our annual St Andrew’s Night celebration at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall alongside Karen Matheson. As we said a fond farewell to our founding father Bruce MacGregor – retiring from the band after 25yrs – the warmth and support in the room was palpable. As we took our final bow together, Aerosmith’s ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’ rang out from the speakers and we all lost it! A very emotional moment and one that we’ll never forget.
What are your plans for the future?
To keep doing what we’re doing – connecting and sharing our music with as many audiences as we can. We’re always working towards the next goal, whether that’s creating and releasing new music, visiting a place we’ve never been before or playing our part in inspiring the next generation of musicians to go for it and follow their dreams.
We’re launching a new album at Celtic Connections in January 2026, followed by some wonderful tours and festivals lined up for the rest of the year.
Bring it on!
Blazin’ Fiddles Social Media
Website: https://blazinfiddles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blazinfiddles/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blazin_fiddles/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@blazinfiddles
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blazinfiddles
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.