Congratulations to Isla Ratcliff 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 Isla of Isla Ratcliff the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
I am a fiddle player, singer and composer based in Edinburgh. I am about to release my second album, The Scottish Four Seasons, which is a Scottish trad reinterpretation of Vivaldi’s famous work to celebrate its 300th anniversary. It highlights its dance tunes and reflects on how Scotland’s seasons and climate have changed in the past 300 years. Before that, my debut album The Castalia (2021) was inspired by the 4 months that I spent in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 2019. I have toured across Scotland, the UK and Europe with my own solo project and with various other bands. I was a Semi-Finalist in the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2022 competition. I play with my cèilidh band Torran Cèilidh Band, and I teach Suzuki violin and fiddle.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
It makes me feel at home. I love the community of the Scottish traditional music scene. I love the possibilities that traditional music offers for self-expression, creativity and friendship. It brings people together. I care about preserving the music, continuing the tradition and sharing it for many people to enjoy.
Any particular career highlights?
I really enjoyed releasing and gigging my first album The Castalia in 2021, and I’m looking forward to doing the same with my second album The Scottish Four Seasons in 2025/26. I was a Semi-Finalist in the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2022, and I have been nominated at the Trad Awards on two previous occasions – for Music Tutor of the Year in 2021, and for Up and Coming Artist of the Year in 2022. I have enjoyed touring across Scotland, the UK and Europe over the last few years, including at Celtic Connections, Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Cambridge Folk Festival, Sidmouth FolkWeek, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, SEALL Festival of Small Halls, the BBC Proms, and festivals in France, Germany and Denmark. Aged 13, I played a trad duet with Nicola Benedetti in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m looking forward to releasing my album The Scottish Four Seasons on 14th November 2025, launching it at Celtic Connections on 23rd January 2026 and gigging it throughout 2026. I am also working on an album of songs, and a composition project where I am writing a tune for every Munro that I climb.
Isla Ratcliff Social Media
Website: https://islaratcliff.com/
Facebook: @islaratcliffmusic
Instagram: @islaratcliffmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAz-z0djY-zH5Qk1s1Dgjg
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.