Congratulations to Graham Mackenzie who has been nominated in Musician of the Year at 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 Graham of Graham Mackenzie the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
I’m a musician/composer originally from Inverness but for the past 12 years, I’ve been based in Glasgow. I graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in 2013 and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2015. My time as a musician is spent performing, touring, recording and teaching across the folk and classical genres.
I was twice a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, as well as being a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. After my New Voices commission at Celtic Connections in 2015, I recorded my debut album ‘Crossing Borders’ and I’ve gone on to record my second studio album ‘The Dawning’ in 2023 co-produced with Mike McGoldrick. My fiddle style is heavily influenced by Scottish, Irish and Cape Breton fiddle playing and I draw on these styles in my composition also.
I’m a founder member of award winning instrumental folk trio ‘Assynt’ who were the 2018 ‘Up and Coming Artist of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards. Assynt have toured worldwide and recorded two albums ‘Road to the North’ and ‘Where From Here’.
Most recently, I’ve been working with pianist Rory Matheson. We released ‘Take Six’ in June 2025 and have been performing around Scotland this year alongside Innes Watson.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
My Grandad, who owned a fiddle, always wanted someone in the family to play and with my Mum being a music teacher, music was a big part of the household when I was growing up. It was inevitable I was going to be involved in music in some way and although I had an interest in many genres of music from an early age, I had a passion for Scottish music. I’m drawn to the simplistic nature of the tradition and the freedom to express my musical ideas through performing and composing.
Any particular career highlights?
It is difficult to narrow down highlights but getting the opportunity to perform across the world is always an amazing experience. Performing at festivals such as Woodford Folk Festival in Australia and Celtic Colours in Canada are certainly some highlights I’ll always remember. Closer to home, having the opportunity to launch my album, The Dawning, in the beautiful New Auditorium at Celtic Connections and perform with Celtic Connections Big Band and the Grit Orchestra were memorable musical occasions for me!
What are your plans for the future?
I will be releasing my second tunebook before the end of the year and look forward to planning some new music both in my solo projects and with Assynt in 2026.
Graham Mackenzie Social Media
Website: https://grahammackenziemusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grahammackenziemusic
Instagram: @grahamlmackenzie
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grahammackenziemusic
TikTok:
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.