Congratulations to Ross Ainslie 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 Ross of Ross Ainslie the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Ross Ainslie is one of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians and composers, playing pipes, whistles and cittern. He is renowned for his highly acclaimed solo material, and as a skilled performer and prolific collaborator who performs regularly with bands Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica, Dougie Maclean, The Olllam, Ali Hutton, Jarlath Henderson, Charlie Mckerron, Tim Edey, Hamish Napier, Brighde Chaimbeul, Duncan Chisholm, India Alba and has performed with Kate Rusby, Blue Rose Code, Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu, Capercaillie, Shooglenifty, Carl Barat, Papon, Karsh Kale, Flook, Breabach, Soumik Datta and Patsy Reid.
Born in Perthshire in 1983, Ross began his career as a member of the Perth and District Pipe Band, before joining the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, where he was mentored by piper Gordon Duncan. Hugely influenced by Gordon’s fearlessly innovative spirit and groundbreaking compositions, Ross began exploring his own abilities as a composer and writing his own tunes, and in 2002 he was a finalist in the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition.
Ross has 6 solo albums to date Wide Open in 2013, Remembering in 2015, Sanctuary in 2017, Vana in 2020, Live in the Gorbals in 2022 and Pool in 2024.
Prestigious industry recognition has come in the form of a multitude of awards,
Won Best Duo at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards with Ali Hutton in 2017 and Nominated for the same award in 2018.
Nomination for Musician of the Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2013, 2016 and 2018.
Nomination for Best Duo at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards with Jarlath Henderson in 2014.
Wide Open was voted 9th out of 50 Top Scottish Albums of 2013 in the Sunday Herald.
He’s also received various awards at the Scots Trad Music Awards,
Nomination for Instrumentalist of the year in 2010.
Nomination for Live Act of the Year with Jarlath Henderson in 2008 and with Treacherous Orchestra in 2009 and 2010.
Wide Open was Nominated for Album of the year in 2013.
Treacherous Orchestra won Album of the year in 2015
Won Composer of the year in 2015.
Sanctuary was in the Shortlist for Album of the year in 2018.
Nominated for the Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in 2019.
Nominated for Trad Video of the Year in 2019.
Las was in the shortlist for Album of the year in 2022.
Diad was in the shortlist for Album of the year in 2023.
Nominated for Live Act of the Year with Tim Edey in 2024..
Ross Ainslie Social Media
Website: https://www.rossainslie.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RossAinslieMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossainsliepipes/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rossainslie
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.