Congratulations to TRIP who has / have been nominated in Scottish Folk Band of the Year sponsored by Threads of Sound in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for TRIP 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 Rory of TRIP the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
TRIP, born out of the vibrant Glasgow traditional music scene, unite the kindred Celtic
traditions of Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Their trademark sound is dynamic, driven and distinctive and celebrates the band’s roots
in tradition, whilst showcasing a contemporary, cross-genre �are. Their tight-knit
arrangements blend traditional melodies and self-penned tunes and songs to produce an
exciting take on folk music.
The stand-out line-up features 6 musicians at the forefront of Glasgow’s traditional music
scene, including BBC Young Traditional Musician of the year 2021 and members of FARA,
GNOSS, The Canny Band and HEISK. TRIP are Michael Biggins (Accordion), Isla Callister
(Fiddle), Tiernan Courell (Flute/Whistle), Alasdair MacKenzie (Guitar/Voice), Rory
Matheson (Piano) and Craig Baxter (Bodhran).
At the heart of TRIP’s live performances is an infectious energy and camaraderie that has
captivated audiences across Scotland and beyond at festivals such as Celtic Connections,
Skye Live, Shetland Folk Festival and Festival Interceltique de Lorient. Recent projects
have also seen the band take to the stage with a special ‘big band’ project and
collaborate with the likes of Donald Shaw and The Scottish Dance Theatre on ‘Moving
Cloud’, which recently saw them travel to Colombia, South America.
Their debut album ‘A Drop for Neptune’ (2022) garnered nominations for ‘Best Album of
the Year’ and ‘Folk Band of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards. ‘In Terra’s Keep’,
TRIP’s second album, takes its name from the Latin word for earth and land and
celebrates the deep connection between land and traditional music. It stands to be their
best musical o�ering to date and will be released in April 2025.
Any particular career highlights?
At the start of the year we were invited to Bogota, Columbia, to perform 'Moving Cloud' alongside the Scottish Dance Theatre!
What are your plans for the future?
To continue touring and performing around the UK, Europe, and wherever else we can!
TRIP Social Media
Website: http://https://www.trip-music.com
Instagram: @tripceol
TikTok: @trip_tripband
Listen to music: http://
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.