Erika Cragg from Falkland Traditional Music Festival brings us up to speed with this growing traditional music festival in the heart of Fife. ” Falkland Traditional Music Festival is a small and intimate festival set in the heart of Fife. It aims to promote and encourage Scottish traditional music and song through workshops, competitions, sessions and … Continued

These are busy and exciting times for music and film collective Transgressive North. Michael Brogan tells us more: “Founded in 2008 as an arts community with the aim of producing film and music projects, the TN has since established itself as a force to be reckoned with on the Scottish arts scene. With an equal interest … Continued

From Martin Hadden: “We’re all very chuffed here at Birnam having just become the latest recipients of a Hands Up For Trad “Landmark Award” in recognition of us having navigated our way through the ever-changing channels of the music business for over 30 years. I started the business in 1986 as “Birnam Tapes”, Scotland’s first … Continued

EXPLORING MUSIC AND GENDER Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Celtic Connections  20 January 2017   Panel: Rachel Newton, Jenn Butterworth, Sandra Kerr, Lisa Whytock, Sue Wilson, Mikaela Atkins  Rachel Newton (RN) opened the meeting by recalling the events that led to it being convened. Recently she had pointed out on Facebook that, in the Live Act category … Continued

 Content company Inner Ear started music web TV channel TRADtv to provide a platform for Scottish, Irish, Celtic and Gaelic traditional folk music and culture. While there is some excellent coverage on the likes of BBC Alba and in shows like Transatlantic Sessions, there was no dedicated channel for the scene. Inner Ear specialises in … Continued

Not that long ago, I think I may have actually known or been aware of almost every traditional flute player in Scotland – not because I was out playing everywhere, but simply because it was an unfavoured instrument and we kindred spirits would gravitate to each other. But recently I was struck by the numbers … Continued

Fraser Shaw played an integral role in the founding of this festival five years ago. A fine musician himself, he loved nothing more then to bring musicians from Glasgow, and all over Scotland to his home place. Here, he showed the musicians great hospitality, endless fun and music – the spirit of Islay. On Frasers … Continued

The compilation of compositions by the man known by many the world over as the “greatest piper of the 20 century” is now available in a wonderful book. Donald MacPherson was something of a phenomenon in piping. He was not just a masterful performer, a wonderful teacher and great ambassador for bagpiping across the world … Continued

Scottish composer and harpist Ailie Robertson has recently been announced as a member of the 2016-17 RSNO Composers’ Hub.  This is the latest in a number of accolades Ailie has been awarded, including the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Composition Prize, and The Sofia International Composition Competition. Ailie is very excited at the prospect, saying, ‘I am absolutely delighted to … Continued

They may be geographically removed and unique in their own way, but Scotland’s Island groups share many cultural connections, not least their Viking heritage and a tradition of expressing their distinctive cultures through the arts. It was with this in mind that the Between Islands project was created by Stornoway’s An Lanntair arts centre, and … Continued