Congratulations to Patsy Reid who has / have been nominated in Album of the Year sponsored by BirnamCD in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for Patsy Reid 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 Patsy of Patsy Reid the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
I am a fiddle and viola player, known for cross-genre collaboration, recording and performance. I'm mostly a session musician but my passion projects include LYRE and Strathspey Queens and I also love being in the amazing, Brian Finnegan's band.
As an educator, I spend a lot of my time thinking and sharing ideas about fiddle/violin pedagogy and am very lucky to have many outlets for this, including Mull Music Makers, Mull Fiddle Week and a bespoke technique class for the fiddlers on the Traditional Music Degree (and Masters) at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Any particular career highlights?
In September 2026, LYRE, my trio with Alice Allen and Marit Fält, recorded our second album at the amazing British Grove Studios in London! It was the dreamiest three days and a total privilege to set foot in the iconic Studio 1 again, let alone capture a whole album with my favourite project and collaborators. Having mixed our debut, Gin & Strathspey, myself – another string to my bow – I'm excited to be donning that hat again and getting the album ready for release at our 2027 headline Celtic Connections show.
Another recent-ish development is the creation of Mull Fiddle Week, which is now in it's 4th year. I'm extremely lucky to have been able to organise three sell-out courses in Tobermory so far, where the focus is on dissecting and learning the real nuts and bolts of fiddle playing (cello, flute/whistle and strummy instruments too!), as well as hosting concerts, sessions, a ceilidh, boat trip and famous sea-food feast. I'm very proud of the culture that we have created and that extends from choices of tutors, developing partnerships with local artists and businesses, right through to offering daily, restorative yoga classes and a wide selection of delicious low and alcohol free alternatives, something that is close to my heart. There is choice and something for everybody!
What are your plans for the future?
I have an album that was recorded back in 2016 that sits on a dusty hard-drive and I'd love to carve out the time to get that mixed and out to the world. It's a bit scary, as I wrote and recorded my first 5 actual songs, which is a bit of a change from instrumental life.
I'll also continue my very rewarding work with Mull Music Makers, get back to my pedagogy book, and generally plan to have a nice sparse diary of hand-selected shows to complement my event organising and educator roles.
Patsy Reid Social Media
Website: http://patsyreid.com
Facebook: @patsy.reid.music
Instagram: @thepatsyreid
Listen to music: https://patsyreid.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.