Congratulations to Lauren MacColl who has / have been nominated in Music Tutor of the Year sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for Lauren MacColl now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 5th December in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Lauren of Lauren MacColl the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Lauren is passionate about teaching people of all ages the fiddle and its music, and enjoys the varied career of performing, recording and tutoring music throughout the UK and beyond.
Current roles include weekly tutor at Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd, Plockton and leading the Kiltearn Fiddlers in Ross-Shire. She continues to teach her own students privately, and is guest tutor for a number of Fèisean and events across the country.
Lauren combines her love for passing on the tradition with a performing and recording career with RANT, Rachel Newton and various creative collaborations, releasing 6 solo albums under her own name. She is highly in demand both as a performer and educator.
She was fiddle and groupwork tutor at the Junior Conservatoire of Scotland for 11 years, director of the Black Isle Fiddle Weekend for a decade, and was external specialist examiner for RCS BA Scottish Music for 3 years.
Previous teaching environments have included; Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas Fiddle Camp, Skye (2018), Blazin’ in Beauly (2025, 2016, 2013), Folkworks Summer Schools (2019, 2016, 2014) Fèis Rois nan Deugairean (2004 – present), Feis Rois Inbhich (2020, 2018, 2014), Fochabers Fiddle Week (2018, 2016), Mull Fiddle Week (2025), Far North Fiddle and Pipes Retreat (2026, 2018, 2017)
Also previously; Glasgow Fiddle Workshop, Glasgow University, Cambridge Folk Festival, Braemar Creative Arts Festival, North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, Fèis a Bhaile, Fèis Bharraigh, Fèis Dunedin, Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop.
Any particular career highlights?
I'm particularly proud of the Black Isle Fiddle weekend, which I organised for 9 years. The event centered around high-quality tuition in small group settings in the beautiful historic village of Cromarty and I taught at it each year alongside some of the best fiddle tutors in Scotland. It was sold out every year, and people travelled from across the UK, Europe and America to be a part of it.
Weekly, I take just as much pride from the joy on a youngster's face learning their first notes on the fiddle.
What are your plans for the future?
I'm just about to launch some quarterly one-day gatherings for fiddlers across 2027 focussing on highland repertoire and style. I'm hoping it is a community that can grow over the coming years.
Lauren MacColl Social Media
Website: http://www.laurenmaccoll.co.uk
Facebook: @lmaccoll1
Instagram: @maccolllauren
Listen to music: http://laurenmaccoll.bandcamp.com
The 2026 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 5th December 2026 in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here).
Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night will welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including Valtos, Gnoss, Sian, Fèis Phàislig, Spodo Komodo and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Rachel Groves 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.