It all began back in 1931 at the close of the National Mod in Dingwall, when a group of enthusiasts, mostly women, met to form a Society to promote the clarsach and its music. Quiet, steady work by dedicated volunteers through ensuing decades, eloquently described in the recently published book “In Good Hands” by Stuart … Continued

The Scots Language Centre was founded to do everything possible to promote the Scots language. Scots is one of three native languages spoken in Scotland today, the other two being English and Scottish Gaelic. There is a long history of Scots language in many diverse kinds of song.  The Scots Language Centre website has a lot of … Continued

Who in their right mind would want to start a folk music magazine? Few, if any, folk magazines started out as serious business projects – most evolved out of some other related activity.  For The Living Tradition, now a highly respected, 68-page, bi-monthly, A4 glossy, traditional music magazine, that related activity was in folk club … Continued

Ciara MacTaggart reports on the event to launch the album Mac Ìle celebrating the music of the late Fraser Shaw. The village hall of Bruichladdich opened its doors to friends and soon-to-be friends of Fraser Shaw’s music, for it was the night of the Mac Ìle album launch. The first launch that is, which took place … Continued

Scots Radio was launched in December 2013 and over the last 4 years has gained not just audiences but respect for its mix of music, culture, history and reflections on life today in Scotland – all delivered in Scots.  Frieda Morrison is the powerhouse behind Scots Radio, combining effortlessly being Producer, Director and Broadcaster. She … Continued

Live Music Now was set up by the legendary violinist, Yehudi Menuhin, with a two-fold purpose – to support outstanding emerging artists at the start of their professional careers through performing experience and training and, at the same time, to widen access to high quality live music to people throughout  our communities, especially those who … Continued

Ronnie Gibson from the Aberdeen Strathspey and Reel Society shares some thoughts on the history of the Strathspey and Reel Society movement:  “I recently became conductor of the Aberdeen Strathspey and Reel Society, a fiddle orchestra established in 1928 to perform Scottish dance music. 2018 will mark our ninetieth anniversary, a milestone that has prompted … Continued

If you go to Dundee’s Wellgate Centre, and up to the second floor of the Central Library, you will find the purpose built Wighton Heritage Centre.  This beautiful, airy and acoustically stunning room houses the original collection of 620 music books and manuscripts gathered together by local grocer Andrew John Wighton (1804 -1866).  This large … Continued

Unicorns may not be the first thing you associate with a music festival, but for the Knockengorroch family who run the World Ceilidh festival, it makes total sense. Read on to find out why. Set in a tranquil glen complete with meandering river, nestled amongst the grand hills of the Southern Uplands, the World Ceilidh … Continued

Moniaive is a vibrant village in Glencairn Parish, Dumfries and Galloway which is home to a number of talented artists, musicians, writers, photographers and also has a great community spirit. Over the years Moniaive has hosted a diverse range of festivals and events… and so they have decided to band together to share amenities, talents and expertise  to … Continued