“You’re so lucky to play music” The poignant song ‘Everything is free’ by Gillian Welsh skilfully captures a dynamic where we as musicians can be damned when faint praise replaces a full appreciation of worth. It can feel that the glistening tip of the iceberg is sometimes the only aspect appreciated by even loyal fans. … Continued

Folk duo Rachel Walker and Aaron Jones celebrate their roots with a stunning new album of traditional Gaelic, Scottish, English and Irish songs. Amongst The Wild Rowans, is our second full album. It’s a celebration of our roots and an attempt to make an honest record that reflects where we came from, our influences and … Continued

📷 Jenny by Amanda Jackson Photography Kirkwall Harbour by Alan Guthrie Photography NEW RELEASE ALBUM AND TUNEBOOK As I sit here looking out across Orkney’s lush fertile fields, watching the birds flying effortlessly around the breaking sunlight I think about how lucky I am to be at home following many years travelling the world as … Continued

📷 by Somhairle MacDonald Mairearad and I are cousins and grew up playing music together in informal settings as well as performing as part of Fèis Rois. Mairearad is from Achnahaird in the North West Highlands. I’m from Edinburgh and spent my school holidays up in Achnahaird at our Grandparents’, just up the road from … Continued

James Macintosh (1846-1937) Image: The Chapter House Museum Trust Flute player and musical researcher Munro Gauld outlines his involvement in a community music project in the heart of Scotland. Back in the spring of 2022 when rummaging around in the Dunkeld Community Archive, I came across a folder containing old handwritten music manuscripts, some printed … Continued

📷 by Adam Bulley I’ve been playing with the idea of guitar with string quartet since I was at university – I loved the potential. The idea, on paper, was relatively simple – take compositions of mine for solo guitar and weave the strings around them – getting the guitar to sit amongst the ensemble. … Continued

📷 by Archie MacFarlane Thanks very much to the Traditional Music Forum for this invite to explain a little about my new album release, Second Sight. It’s a collection of 9 original tunes, recorded with guitarist Graeme Stephen and bassist Elie Afif over a day in May this year. Graeme is probably the musician I’ve … Continued

📷 by Ray Kelly Photography I love living and working in Glasgow as a fiddle player. The sessions are some of the best in the world and I’ve always loved, and still love playing music in pubs with others whenever I can. There was though, a moment around 2019 that I started to feel like … Continued

My debut album Halocline is out. It’s been a long journey and it means so much to share it with the world. I began making Smallpipes at the age of fourteen after approaching a local woodturner for lessons. I was always fascinated by sound itself, how simple tubes of wood and reeds could make such … Continued

Artwork by the wonderful Orcadian painter and pianist Jennifer Austin In May 2023, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to record my debut solo album, Light on Water. The album was recorded at Wee Studio in Stornoway by Keith Morrison. I was surrounded by beautiful landscape – the studio looks out onto the … Continued