Congratulations to Mairearad Green and Rachel Newton 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 Rachel of Mairearad Green and Rachel Newton the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Mairearad Green & Rachel Newton are both well established Scottish musicians and also cousins, their mothers hailing from Achnahaird, Coigach in the N.W. Highlands, where Mairearad was brought up.
With this album, they’ve come together to celebrate and remember their Great-Great-Grandmother Anna Bhàn’s involvement in the successful women-led Coigach resistance of 1852/53 during the Highland Clearances.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Mairearad and Rachel both attended Fèis Rois when they were young and this sparked and nurtured a love for traditional music.
Any particular career highlights?
Mairearad and Rachel have both been awarded Composer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards for previous projects.
What are your plans for the future?
We plan to further celebrate our family history with a short film and more live performances of the music from our album Anna Bhàn.
Mairearad Green and Rachel Newton Social Media
Website: https://annabhan.bandcamp.com
Facebook:
Instagram:
YouTube:
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.