Celebrate St Andrew’s Day with some uplifting Scottish music! Traditional music and Gaelic songs have been at the heart of Scottish culture for centuries and it has never been more important to come together and support the talented Scottish musicians that are part of the unique and vibrant traditional folk music scene.
So put on your dancing shoes and get ready for some foot-stomping tunes as you travel through Scotland (virtually) to the sounds of the most exciting contemporary folk musicians and singers.
1. Josie Duncan (Outer Hebrides)
Close your eyes and make your great ‘Hebridean’ escape. Imagine relaxing by crystal-clear waters on remote golden sandy beaches of the Outer Hebrides with the stunning songs of Josie Duncan, a young folk singer from the Isle of Lewis. Having been immersed in Glasgow’s traditional music scene, her beautiful delicate voice is equally at home in Gaelic, Scots or English.
Her award-winning album The Morning Tempest with guitarist Pablo Lafuente combines old ballads with Gaelic puirt a beul and original compositions.
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Want to discover the music of Scotland’s Gaelic Islands? You will get goosebumps listening to the outstanding vocals and pure tone of award-winning Gaelic singers Mischa Macpherson from Lewis, Julie Fowlis from North Uist, or Kathleen MacInnes from South Uist, all equally unique and stunning. For something a bit different, tap your feet to the cheerful pipe and fiddle sounds of Uist newcomers Beinn Lee or Stornoway sensation Peat & Diesel.
2. Ewen Henderson (Lochaber, Highlands)
Take a musical journey to the Outdoor Capital of the UK through the music of Ewen Henderson, nicknamed ‘the Musical Prince of Lochaber’. Ewen has been steeped in the traditional music and Gaelic culture of Lochaber from an early age and has a keen interest in the unique history and the Gaelic language and culture of his native area.
His brilliant debut solo album, Steall, features his multifaceted musical talents, from fiddle and Highland pipes to songs inspired by the beautiful landscapes of the West Highlands. Ewen is also a great follower of the traditional Highland sport of shinty, and even won the recent shinty composition competition with a wonderful pipe march Clos nan Caman which he wrote during lockdown to celebrate shinty’s proud history.
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Discover the Scottish west coast’s rich music tradition! Tap your feet to the cheerful Highland tunes of Iain MacFarlane & Ingrid Henderson (also members of the Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band), energetic duo Eilidh Shaw & Ross Martin from Arisaig, Highland quintet Fras from Ardnamurchan, or Gaelic Supergroup Dàimh. Don’t miss Ewen’s talented sister Megan Henderson‘s solo debut ‘Pilgrim Souls‘.
3. Fara (Orkney)
Find your space and refresh your senses in Orkney through the music of Fara. Blending rich harmonies, energetic fiddle playing and driving piano, the Orcadian quartet creates a fiery sound strongly rooted in their island upbringing.
Over the last five years, Fara have toured around the world. This year, they bring you The Orkney series, travelling around the islands and performing Orcadian tunes in the places that inspired their names. Explore The Gloup & Mull Head Nature Reserve listening to The Moul Head by Orcadian composer Davie Eunson, or take a virtual tour of the iconic St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, listening to The Rose of St Magnus, a beautiful air by Ivan Drever. Don’t miss Fara’s debut album Cross the Line and excellent follow up Times From Times Fall.
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Hooked on Orkney? Then you will be amazed by the Orkney folk music scene, with award-winning songwriter and guitar player Kris Drever, the foot stomping musicians of The Chair, the high-spirited quartet Gnoss, or the sensational twin sisters duo The Wrigley Sisters. In May 2023, don’t miss the Orkney Folk Festival.
4. Project Smock (Glasgow)
Did you know that Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music? The city truly lives and breathes music. Upcoming neo-trad trio Project Smok brings together award-winning musicians Ali Levack (pipes & whistles), Pablo Lafuente (guitar) and Ewan Baird (bodhrán). They formed in 2017 rising from Glasgow’s vibrant live music scene and have been pushing the boundaries between the contemporary and the traditional to create something truly innovative.
After their superb debut Horizon’s, their follow up album Bayview brings infectious rhythms, instrumental virtuosity and explosive sounds.
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Check out the fresh and imaginative music of Kinnaris Quintet, the fiery tunes of Talisk, the cheerful polkas of Ímar or the powerful vocals of Siobhan Miller. Don’t miss Celtic Connections, the UK’s premier celebration of Celtic music in January and early February.
5. Jenny Sturgeon (Cairngorms National Park)
Connect with the nature of the Cairngorms National Park through the music of Jenny Sturgeon. This talented singer-songwriter takes her inspiration in the wonders of the natural world. Her solo album The Living Mountain was inspired by Nan Shepherd’s 1940s mountain memoir of the same name and Jenny’s experience walking in the Cairngorms National Park. The book was described as “the finest book ever written on nature”.
Through soothing melodies and stunning lyrics, Jenny explores her own personal connection with nature as well as Nan’s philosophy of simply “being” in the wild. The record also features the Cairngorms natural sounds, from singing birds and roaring stags to wind and drifting snow.
Check out her Living Mountain Conversations podcast with artists, writers and ecologists she encountered making the album and support The Living Mountain grove with Scottish conservation charity Trees for Life.
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Check out the superb flute compositions of Hamish Napier from Grantown on Spey, the unique vocals of acclaimed singer Rachel Sermanni from Carrbridge or the genius fiddle strathpeys from Charlie Mckerron of Capercaillie fame.
6. Brìghde Chaimbeul (Isle of Skye)
Get transported to the atmospheric Isle of Skye, listening to Brìghde Chaimbeul (a Scottish Gaelic name pronounced Bree-chu Campbell).
At only 20 years old, the native Gaelic speaker from Skye is a virtuoso of the Scottish smallpipes. She already has 13 years of piping behind her and won multiple awards. Her debut album The Reeling will take you to Skye, mixing the peculiar, beautiful sound of the small pipes with a contemporary feel. Check out her bandcamp channel and social media for new releases, merchandise, workshops and virtual gigs.
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Listen to legendary Scottish trailblazers Peatbog Faeries, electronic/trad fusion band Niteworks or renowned Gaelic singer Arthur Cormack. Every November, you’re in for a treat at the SEALL Festival of Small Halls, bringing big music to small halls around the Isles of Skye and Raasay!
7. Ross Couper (Shetland)
Nowhere else in Scotland is the folk music scene as unique as in Shetland. The Shetland fiddling style is bouncy and lively and as close in spirit to Scandinavia as to Scotland.
Shetland fiddle player Ross Couper has been dazzling audiences around the world with his infectious folk melodies, explosive fiddle grooves and fiery driving rhythms. His energetic playing is at the heart of the greatest folk bands, including the mighty Peatbog Faeries and award-winning duo Ross & Tom.
Keep an eye on Ross’ social channels for virtual gigs, trad sessions, fiddle tuition, a Shetland tunes book and more. Don’t miss his debut album And Den Dey Made Tae with his brother Ryan on guitar.
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Check out brilliant fiddler Kevin Henderson (also a founding member of award winning Shetland supergroup Fiddlers’ Bid), the excellent Haltadans, the lovely quartet Herkja, talented singer Arthur Nicholson, or the young musicians of Fjanna. And get ready for the Shetland Folk Festival in May 2023, often regarded as the granddaddy of folk festivals.
8. Iona Fyfe (Aberdeenshire)
Take a journey across Aberdeenshire and discover the North East of Scotland’s unique traditional folk songs and old Scots language. Folk singer Iona Fyfe is one of Scotland’s finest young artists keeping these traditions alive with her passion for Doric language, songs and stories. The 22-year-old grew up in Huntly taking part in the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland movement and going to folk clubs and festivals around the North East of Scotland.
Her debut album Away From My Window showcases her unique style, blending beautiful folk songs and traditional bothy ballads with modern lyrics and innovative arrangements. Bothy ballads are traditional songs that were sung in bothies in the evenings by farm labourers in the North East of Scotland.
You can find Iona on Patreon creating videos, songs and teaching folksongs. Don’t miss her stunning Scots language version of the classic carol, In the Bleak Midwinter.
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Listen to the music of the North East of Scotland, with the Scots songs of superband Malinky, the bothy ballads of Scots singer Shona Donaldson or the brilliant strathpeys of award-winning fiddler Paul Anderson. Explore Aberdeenshire’s unique cultural heritage on the Stories of Aberdeenshire map and check out this Beginners guide to Doric.
9. Duncan Chisholm (Inverness)
Duncan Chisholm is one of Scotland’s most accomplished and expressive fiddle players and composers. Born and raised near Inverness, he creates gorgeous and atmospheric soundscapes inspired by the natural beauty of his native Highlands.
The Strathglass Trilogy – Affric, Canaich and Farrar was named after three beautiful glens in Strathglass. It’s an emotional tribute to the ancestral lands of the Chisholm clan, north-west of Loch Ness. His uplifting, beautiful instrumental music will take you on a journey through ancient Caledonian pine forests, mysterious lochs, and dramatic mountains. His follow up album Sandwood Bay was inspired by the wild and remote Sandwood Bay in the north west Highlands, often described as the finest beach in Scotland.
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Listen to the fine fiddle strathpeys of Bruce MacGregor (founding member of Blazin’ Fiddles) and expressive airs of Lauren MacColl from Fortrose, the original compositions of Mike Vass from Nairn, the inventive tunes of Adam Sutherland from Loch Ness or the explosive sounds of Elephant Sessions from Inverness. Or get dancing with sophabulous step dancer Sophie Stephenson from Fort Augustus.
10. Skerryvore (Isle of Tiree, Argyll)
Go wild about Argyll and immerse yourself in Tiree on a musical journey far out in the Atlantic Ocean. This stunning island offers miles of white sands, great surfing and fantastic music. Named after a lighthouse sitting on a skerry near Tiree, Skerryvore is a Celtic rock band steeped in the west coast tradition. They create a fusion of folk, trad, rock and Americana for the 21st Century.
The band are great ambassadors to their Argyll homeland and even provided the soundtrack for the Wild About Argyll video. Their funky rhythms, blazing bagpipes, accordions and fiddle are guaranteed to make you happy.
During lockdown, they wrote the poignant charity single Everyday Heroes which went to No 1 in the iTunes charts, with all proceeds in aid of NHS staff and volunteers. Don’t miss their new album Live across Scotland.
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Check out the vibrant Argyll & the Isles folk scene including folk dance band Trail West (also from Tiree), cheerful quartet Tide Lines, the energetic contemporary band Skipinnish from Oban, or the hugely talented fiddle player Charlie Grey on the isle of Lismore.
11. Sian (Hebrides)
Sian’s enchanting atmospheric Gaelic vocals will transport you to the heart of the Hebrides, from the Isle of Skye to the Outer Hebrides.
The three talented singers Eilidh Cormack, Ceitlin Lilidh and Ellen MacDonald create a unique atmospheric sound. Their stunning vocal harmonies bring the work of long-forgotten female Gaelic bards back to life. Sian means “storm” or “the elements” and the music on their beautiful self-titled debut album certainly showcases the strength and beauty of Gaelic songs.
12. Ryan Young (Dunbartonshire)
Originally from Cardross in Dunbartonshire, virtuoso fiddle player Ryan Young is part of the ‘New Wave’ of traditional Scottish fiddlers, bringing deep emotions, inventive melodies and uplifting rhythms to old forgotten tunes in his own unique way.
Voted Up and Coming Artist of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2017, he was twice finalist in both the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. His distinctive style and rich expressive playing will take you on an emotional journey and his self-titled debut album, which entered into the Grammys, will lift your spirits.
Support Scottish music
Please support Scottish music and help musicians, DJs, promoters, sound engineers, music venues and festival organisers in these challenging times.
You can purchase music from artists direct on their official websites or check out their social media channels, Bandcamp accounts or Patreon pages. Buy CDs, tune books and merchandise, take part in exclusive workshops, or even commission a tune just for you or your loved ones!
Fancy learning an instrument or singing in Gaelic? Imagine getting private lessons from the greatest musicians in Scotland! Many teach and are keen to share their passion via 1-2-1 lessons on Zoom or Skype. Or you can join Feis Rois for weekly folk music classes, virtual masterclasses and Gaelic courses and conversation.
Find out more about Bagpipes, traditional music and ceilidhs or why not experience a Scottish music festival for yourself?
Watch our Scottish Gaelic Explained video and learn about Gaelic language and history.
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