TRACS is delighted to be assisting Creative Scotland and other partners in delivering a pilot programme of Traditional Arts Mentoring, building on work undertaken by the Traditional Music Forum. The aim is to exchange knowledge, skills and experience between the generations. The programme is aimed at early or mid-career practitioners in Scotland. Successful applicants will … Continued

The winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2021 Michael Biggins (Photo by Alan Peebles) Pianist Michael Biggins has been named BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician for 2021. The 23 year-old, originally from Newcastle but now living in Glasgow, accepted the award from Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor, BBC Scotland, … Continued

Despite some challenging circumstances in the past months, An Lanntair’s Between Islands project has now placed the majority of its activities online, with a range of short films, musical performances and three separate museum exhibitions now available to view on the dedicated website www.betweenislands.com. The project, which is funded by LEADER, links arts and heritage … Continued

Bernie Hewitt –   TDFS Secretary   It is now over three years since I first joined the board of the TDFS, and more recently was asked to take on the role of secretary and treasurer.   As all the minute taking and record keeping is done very efficiently by our full-time staff member, my emphasis has … Continued

TRACS and the Scottish Storytelling Centre present an entertaining take on the life of Robert Burns with poems, stories, songs and music this Burns Night, devised by storyteller, author and presenter David Campbell, as an alternative to Burns Suppers with formal speeches. The popular annual live event now goes virtual to offer a convivial evening … Continued

2020 saw the annual MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards broadcast on BBC ALBA on Saturday 12th December at 9pm in a special programme named Na Trads 2020. The usually live annual event was this year broadcast in a vibrant programme put together and aired exclusively on BBC ALBA. Hosted by Alistair Heather and Mary … Continued

Songwriting virtuosos Boo Hewerdine and Findlay Napier have announced the launch of ‘Bird on a Wire’ masterclasses that will take place in 2021 and will be free to attend to a limited number of artists. This series of new songwriting workshops is available to musicians who have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Applications … Continued

(Photo above – Ingrid Henderson & Iain MacFarlane) Highland festival launches impressive online programme of Gaelic song and music Gaelic music will still be celebrated throughout the Highlands and Islands this November as the Blas Festival will go ahead online, with an impressive line-up of some of Scotland’s best loved traditional musicians and singers. The … Continued

Public Voting opens this Monday 2nd November for nominees in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Na Trads 2020 will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on 12th December 2020 at 9pm where the award winners will be announced along with specially recorded music performances. VOTE HERE (Voting closes Sunday 15th November at midnight) Murdo … Continued

(Photo above – Mike Vass) Brand new music and song will showcase Highland talent This year’s Blas Festival, which will take place online for the first time, will celebrate Scotland’s musical talent with a host of new song and music commissions – demonstrating the wealth of composers and musicians across the country, whilst showcasing people, … Continued