Musician, presenter and producer Anna Massie on releasing her first solo album in 20 years and how the trad music industry has changed in the last two decades. And we pick three songs from the album for you to have a listen to…   I’ve worked on lots of albums with various bands since my first solo record in 2003, but there’s a safety in numbers with those kinds of recordings. There’s a lot more responsibility when it comes to a solo album so there is a mix of excitement and nerves releasing this album.  A lot of the music on Two Down is self-penned, and I’ve enjoyed writing more. I l ..read more

It captivated music fans from across the Highlands 30 years ago. But now festival Lochaber Live is being rebooted thanks to renowned musician Gary Innes. The event used to be a landmark show on the festival calendar in the 80s and 90 before winding down to a smaller-scale concert. But broadcaster Gary Innes, from Spean Bridge, wanted to see his hometown festival restored to its former glory in a way that reflected Scotland’s thriving traditional music scene in 2024. Lochaber Live, set to take place in Fort William from 20-22 September, will see a whole host of Scottish talent play to thousands ..read more

He’s one of the world’s most successful composers having scored music for more than 60 major films, from Harry Potter to Murder on the Orient Express. But now Patrick Doyle has returned to his Royal Conservatoire of Scotland roots to inspire the next generation of musicians, becoming Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Music. It’s a full circle moment for the renowned composer who credits his career to Scotland’s national conservatoire where he took classes as a child. Patrick said the Junior Conservatoire studies opened his eyes to the wider world of music. As a youngster he would hop on th ..read more

A collection of never-before-seen photos of the Beatles performing in Scotland sold for nearly £10,000 at auction. The 50 black and white pictures were taken during a show in Dundee on 20 October 1964. In one of the pictures drummer Ringo plays the piano with a cigarette in his mouth while Paul has a go on the drums. Other pictures show close up snaps of the band before their show at the Caird Hall.  The band were said to be still playing relatively small venues in late 1964. The photos were taken by a professional photographer who was given access to the Beatles’ changing room. His fami ..read more

He learned about traditional music in his school ceilidh band, but now singer and mandolin player Calum McIlroy has been named Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician. The BBC Radio Scotland contest is renowned as one of the biggest platforms for emerging talent in traditional music. It has been a springboard for numerous Scottish traditional music exponents to international acclaim. From Westhill in Aberdeenshire, Calum first learned about traditional music in his school ceilidh band.  After leaving school he went on to play with the North East Folk Collective and took part in the Fèis Roi ..read more

It captivated music fans from across the Highlands 30 years ago. But now festival Lochaber Live is being rebooted thanks to renowned musician Gary Innes. The event used to be a landmark show on the festival calendar in the 80s and 90 before winding down to a smaller-scale concert. But broadcaster Gary Innes, from Spean Bridge, wanted to see his hometown festival restored to its former glory in a way that reflected Scotland’s thriving traditional music scene in 2024. Lochaber Live, set to take place in Fort William from 20-22 September, will see a whole host of Scottish talent play to thousands ..read more

It captivated music fans from across the Highlands 30 years ago. But now festival Lochaber Live is being rebooted thanks to renowned musician Gary Innes. The event used to be a landmark show on the festival calendar in the 80s and 90 before winding down to a smaller-scale concert. But broadcaster Gary Innes, from Spean Bridge, wanted to see his hometown festival restored to its former glory in a way that reflected Scotland’s thriving traditional music scene in 2024. Lochaber Live, set to take place in Fort William from 20-22 September, will see a whole host of Scottish talent play to thousands ..read more

Gaelic singer Mairi MacMillan has created a stunning rendition of a centuries old island song, depicting life on South Uist during the 1920s. The moving single, Fàgail Bhornais, which translates to Leaving Bornish, was originally penned by Donald MacDonald from Bòrnais in South Uist. The song reflects on island life before the mass emigration which saw over 300 Hebrideans board the SS Marloch, bound for Eastern Canada, in 1923. At a time where Islanders faced famine and widespread unemployment, leaving home was the only option for many. It’s a profound reflection on Scottish heritage and the b ..read more

He’s one of the world’s most successful composers having scored music for more than 60 major films, from Harry Potter to Murder on the Orient Express. But now Patrick Doyle has returned to his Royal Conservatoire of Scotland roots to inspire the next generation of musicians, becoming Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Music. It’s a full circle moment for the renowned composer who credits his career to Scotland’s national conservatoire where he took classes as a child. Patrick said the Junior Conservatoire studies opened his eyes to the wider world of music. As a youngster he would hop on th ..read more

The Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod is hoping for a number one hit after releasing a Gaelic rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Previous winners of the Royal National Mòd, Coinneach and his partner Peter MacQueen have joined forces as the Hogmanay Boys to sing Air Sgàth nan Iomadh Linn. Swapping his kitchen for the recording studio, the making of the track will be followed in a BBC Alba documentary about Coinneach which will be shown across the UK on Christmas Day. Coinneach and Peter are hoping the song will become the first ever Gaelic track to hit number one in the charts.  https://wpcluste ..read more