Famously referred to as “Mississippi Sheiks meet Doctor Seuss as curated by HG Wells”, Canada-based Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son have created a sonic and visual presentation of old time high stepping music which is completely unique. We asked them a few questions about their upcoming projects, inspirations and views on tradition before they head … Continued

Dowally are Dan Abrahams (guitar), Phil Alexander (accordion and piano) and Rachel Walker (fiddle, whistle and vocals), plus regular collaborator, cello player Graham Coe (The Jellyman’s Daughter). Together they make unclassifiable, thrillingly energetic music, fusing their love of traditional Scottish tunes with jazz harmony, Balkan rhythms and deep Americana raucousness.  What do Dowally have planned … Continued

Formed in 2014, Tannara are Owen Sinclair (guitar/vocals), Becca Skeoch (clarsach), Cameron Ross (fiddle/vocals) and Joseph Peach (accordion). Teuchters at heart, they play traditional Scottish music, some self-penned and occasionally drawing from traditions across the globe. They’re joined at TradFest by rising Scottish folk trio The Lowground, which combines three of Scotland’s most exciting young … Continued

Online Radio Programme Celebrating Scots Language Nominated for Top International Award alongside the World’s Biggest Stations. Scots Radio is produced by well known broadcaster and singer Frieda Morrison and features Scots ‘fae Shetland tae the Borders and athin in atween.’ The programme was launched on the internet two years ago and attracts thousands of listeners … Continued

Tradition goes live in Edinburgh, when the third annual showcase of Traditional Arts and Culture takes place in Scotland’s capital from Wednesday 27 April to Sunday 8 May 2016 TradFest Edinburgh • Dùn Èideann returns as Edinburgh’s only multi-arts festival dedicated to Scottish traditional folk arts, showcasing culture, live. Rooted in the past yet intrinsically … Continued

The Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh has launched a new scheme to support four young players of Scottish traditional instruments. The musicians, aged 12 – 16, have been chosen for their proficiency in both classical and Scottish traditional musical genres. The fiddle, clarsach, accordion and bagpipes will be played by the youngsters at a variety … Continued

The 2016 Tall Tales Oscar was awarded on Saturday night to Ken Johnston from Carnoustie, a member of Dundee-based Blether Tay-Gither Storytelling Group. With a colourful statue of a leprechaun as its prize, the Tall Tales Oscar is awarded to the teller of the most fantastic but believable story, as voted by the live audience … Continued

Musician, writer and filmmaker Stuart Murdoch is to be a guest speaker at the launch of Action for M.E.’s new guide to living with the condition, informed by the experiences of people with M.E. and their carers. The lead singer of Belle and Sebastian will be talking about his own experiences of living with M.E. … Continued

Thursday 17 March is, of course, St Patrick’s Day, a religious festival which has now become a worldwide celebration of Ireland and the Irish. Here at the Centre, we’re paying homage to our friends from the Emerald Isle with a number of events taking place next week.    On Tuesday 15 March, Linten Adie and … Continued

Shauna MacDonald is an experienced across a range of productions from Hollywood film (The Descent, The Mutant Chronicles) to major television drama (Taggart, State of Play, Spooks, Sea of Souls) as well as plenty of stage work, including the National Theatre of Scotland. We asked Shauna about directing The Last Laugh, with the backdrop to … Continued