“Do you still play your Bass?” I was often asked this question by friends from years past, and perhaps more tellingly my family every now and then – and it frustrated me. What place did music have in my life now? I was disconnected from it, and from the instrument that had represented not only … Continued

As we start to come out of lockdown, we know that we have all faced challenges but I am writing this to highlight how it has affected musicians. These are the people that we turn to when we seek entertainment, community cohesion, celebration, a chance to dance, or a way to feel. We are not … Continued

  Our Spotlight this week lands on Mairi Campbell. Mairi has been a member of the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland (TDFS) for many years and is on the TDFS board. This week she is launching the first of four workshops in ‘Step Dance and Fiddling’. The workshops will help musicians learn to play for … Continued

Thinking back to early lockdown, one of the many things that struck me was that each day had the potential to be good. It took time to fully adjust to that way of thinking but we had hope on our side as a family. We were all healthy and our extended family were safe and … Continued

In the last few months have you found yourself sitting there thinking “What am I meant to do? What on earth is the point?” I know I certainly have. I was brought up with the school of thought, “If you love something enough then you can make it happen – follow your dreams” “If you’re … Continued

I‘m not into online events, I said. When the lockdown started and we were forced to postpone our Knockengorroch music festival I professed both to myself and anyone who would listen, that virtual events did not interest me. I racked my brains as to ways I could bring people together in real time whilst observing … Continued

Eight official weeks into staying safe at home and cocooning so how are we all doing? Eight weeks of banana bread? Sourdough anyone?! Any new yoga poses? Other new skills? Or just simply staying afloat? Well for me it’s eight weeks of being billeted about in a sea of emotions, days of inspiration, days of … Continued

On the 3rd March 2020 I was due to start a two-month tour of Canada and New Zealand.  My husband, Dave and our daughter Ada were also part of the tour. Dave was coming to perform at the Toronto storytelling festival, and Ada joining me for the Vancouver and New Zealand legs of the trip.  We’d been … Continued

I’m someone who still feels relatively new to the world of being a musician, so when it comes to writing a piece for a forum like this it can seem a little overwhelming. I can relate to many of the things that have been written about on here – feeling like an imposter; learning how … Continued

At the humble age of 9, I didn’t once bat an eyelid at the thought of taking to the stage in Banchory Town Hall to play two (relatively simple) tunes in the ’12 and Under’ section at the Banchory Accordion and Fiddle Festival. I did this year in and year out, gradually venturing to more … Continued