Folk Music Festivals in Scotland
The music at Scotland's festivals is as good as that anywhere in the world. The artists have a real passion for folk music. For some rousing foot-tapping entertainment, Scottish festivals are the place to be. There is often a celidh as well. They vary from marque-sized events to multi-stage extraveganzas. Fiddles and bagpipes are not compulsary, although you can of course find festivals where they are heavily featured.
Remember, we can't check every ticket price, unfortunately, as some are not listed until closer to the event, so we advise you to check the prices yourself.
Click on a festival name and it expands to reveal the full details (like the first one).
Celtic Connections - 18th Jan 2024 - Glasgow, Strathclyde
Massive event in Glasgow, spanning 18 days! If it has a Celtic connection, it's probably on show here. Multiple venues. There's not enough space to describe everything, just settle for knowing there are 2,100 artists, 300 events, 20 venues. - yes, you read that right!
This is HUGE.
Location: Glasgow
Date: Thursday 18th January 2024 for 18 day(s)
Full Price: £40
Also available: TBA for 2024
Contact for info:
Website: www.celticconnections.com/
County: Strathclyde
Country: Scotland
Inverness Music Festival - 8th Mar 2024 - Inverness, Invernessshire
Inverness Music Festival is a competitive music festival open to all ages and abilities. Performers are adjudicated on their performance.
It takes place at Inverness Methodist Church March 8th-11th March and 15th -17th March - 26th February and 3rd- 6th March 2023.
Location: Inverness
Date: Friday 8th March 2024 for 10 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: admin@invernessmusicfestival.org
Website: invernessmusicfestival.org
County: Invernessshire
Country: Scotland
Lochwinnoch Arts Festival - 15th Mar 2024 - Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire
A long running Festival of Music, Drama, Literature, Creative & Visual Arts in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire.
Not a folk festival, it's a festival of Music, Drama, Literature, Creative and Visual Arts. But it includes Celtic instrument workshops and Scottish singers. So some of you may be interested.
Not a huge amount of info on line, so check with the organisers.
Location: Lochwinnoch
Date: Friday 15th March 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Individual event tickets
Contact for info: 07868 752814
Website: www.lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk/event/mini-arts-festival/
County: Renfrewshire
Country: Scotland
Inverness Fiddlers Rally - 18th Mar 2024 - Inverness, Invernessshire
The clue's in the name - it features fidlers.
As always, the Inverness Fiddlers will be joined by special guests for the event.
Not sure if it is folky or just fidlers, but you can always contact them and ask.
Location: Inverness
Date: Monday 18th March 2024 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info:
Website: www.invernessfiddlers.org
County: Invernessshire
Country: Scotland
Hawick Reivers Festival - 22nd Mar 2024 - Hawick, Borders
21st Anniversary !
Hawick steps back in time to the 16th century and through drama, song, poetry and re-enactments invites visitors and towns-people alike to experience life in this turbulent, often violent, but very colourful period in our history.
A full programme of activities is planned many of which are free and include demonstrations of falconry, archery and horsemanship, a look at craftsmen of the times and dramatic re-enactments. There are also concerts, guided walks, historical lectures and many other activities.
Location: Hawick
Date: Friday 22nd March 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Mainly individual event tickets
Contact for info: Info@hawickreivers.com
Website: www.hawickreivers.com/
County: Borders
Country: Scotland
Niel Gow Festival - 22nd Mar 2024 - Dunkeld and Birnam, Perthshire
In collaboration with Tunes in the House
Annual Scottish fiddle festival.
A fun-filled weekend of fiddle music and good craic, this very informal festival kicks off on Friday night and celebrates the life of Perthshire's fiddle legend.
The link is to their new website.
Location: Dunkeld and Birnam
Date: Friday 22nd March 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: nielgow@thetaybank.com
Website: www.nielgowfestival.co.uk
County: Perthshire
Country: Scotland
Shennaghys Jiu - 28th Mar 2024 - Ramsey, Isle of Man
Aims to give young, up and coming traditional Musicians and Dancers the chance to perform in a non-competitive environment.
The Festival lasts for four days and nights, consisting of Gigs, Concerts, Sessions, Ceildhs, Workshops and much, much more.
(Listed in Ireland as well as Scotland, as it has a Celtic music bias. Besides, we don't have an Isle of Man section.)
Location: Ramsey
Date: Thursday 28th March 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: 01624819068 or 07624452653
Website: Shennaghysjiu.com
www.facebook.com/shennaghys
County: Isle of Man
Country: Scotland
Edinburgh International Harp Festival - 5th Apr 2024 - George Watson's College, Edinburgh, Midlothian
Courses, Concerts, workshops, harp exhibition, sessions, ceilidh.
One for the harp enthusiasts.
Location: George Watson's College, Edinburgh
Date: Friday 5th April 2024 for 5 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Individual event tickets
Contact for info: office@harpfestival.co.uk
Website: www.harpfestival.co.uk
County: Midlothian
Country: Scotland
FluteFling - 19th Apr 2024 - Edinburgh, EH6 4HY, Midlothian
10th Anniversary
Traditional flutes and whistles in Scotland.
FluteFling classes, workshops and weekends provide opportunities for people to learn and develop traditional skills on the whistle and flute in a Scottish setting.
Not quite a festival, but for those interested in traditional flute music, it is a big thing.
Location: Edinburgh, EH6 4HY
Date: Friday 19th April 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £12
Also available: £60 for workshops
Contact for info: gordon@flutefling.scot
Website: flutefling.scot
County: Midlothian
Country: Scotland
Glenfarg Folk Festival - 20th Apr 2024 - Kinross, KY13 8AS, Perthshire
Scottish (of course), Irish and contemporary music, children's entertainment and the World Puff-A-Box Championship (at which my brother has very consistently failed to win or even get placed.) A warm welcome is ensured.
Note the change in the web address - they have updated their site to use WordPress and Elementor. It's always a good sign when someone takes this much effort with their website.
Location: Kinross, KY13 8AS
Date: Saturday 20th April 2024 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £30
Contact for info: tickets@glenfargfolkclub.com
Website: glenfargfolkclub.com/folkfeast/
County: Perthshire
Country: Scotland
Mull Music Festival - 26th Apr 2024 - Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Argyl and Bute
Multiple venues, appears to be free.
Variety of events and music styles to enjoy over four days of fun in the Inner Hebrides.
A weekend of Scottish music featuring folk-rock bands, fiddle, accordion, dance and ceilidh bands.
The events aren't ticketted, and most are very crowded!
Location: Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Date: Friday 26th April 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: It's FREE, mainly.
Contact for info:
Website: mull.co/mull-music-festival
County: Argyl and Bute
Country: Scotland
Shetland Folk Festival - 2nd May 2024 - Lerwick, Shetland, Shetlands
For the 42nd time!
The UK's most northerly folk festival. The Festival prides itself in reaching out to even the most far flung areas of Shetland. Concerts are organised throughout the isles, consisting of some of the best International, British and Shetland music that the world has to offer. In fact, visiting artistes are regularly dumbfounded by the quantity and quality of local musicians that our remote isles have to offer.
Nine locations on the island are holding events.
Location: Lerwick, Shetland
Date: Thursday 2nd May 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Individual event tickets
Contact for info: info@shetlandfolkfestival.com
Website: www.shetlandfolkfestival.com
County: Shetlands
Country: Scotland
Edinburgh Tradfest Dun Eideann - 3rd May 2024 - Edinburgh, Midlothian
Edinburgh TradFest - Dun Eideann is a vibrant celebration of folk arts celebrating TradFest will include music, song, storytelling, dance, folk drama, arts and crafts, literature, architecture, film and multi-media in the capital city.
Edinburgh's only multi-arts festival is dedicated to traditional culture and folk arts. Features the very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world.
Location: Edinburgh
Date: Friday 3rd May 2024 for 11 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA - Individual event tickets
Contact for info: reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com
Website: edinburghtradfest.com
County: Midlothian
Country: Scotland
Girvan Folk Festival - 3rd May 2024 - Girvan, Ayrshire
Scotland's first sustainable event.
Music, verse and story telling
Concerts - Sessions - Open Stage - Competitions - Workshops - Children's Events- Secure Campsite.
Popular Scottish event, promises to be even bigger than last year.
In its 49th year of existence and still going strong. With a nice redesigned website too.
Location: Girvan
Date: Friday 3rd May 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £50
Also available: Can't find the latest price.
Contact for info: admin@girvantraditionalfolkfestival.org.uk
Website: girvantraditionalfolkfestival.org.uk/
County: Ayrshire
Country: Scotland
Kelso Country & Western Festival - 9th May 2024 - Kelso, Borders
A country and western festival in Scotland? Well if it's good fun, what's the problem.
If the web link fails (it did for us), go to this facebook page, where we found most of the details.
Keslo C+W
There's also an October event most years.
Location: Kelso
Date: Thursday 9th May 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £65
Also available: Day and weekend tickets too.
Contact for info: 07902 330147
davisflorence310@gmail.com
Website: www.kelso.countrymusic-festival.co.uk/
County: Borders
Country: Scotland
Skye Live - 9th May 2024 - Portree, Isle Of Skye
A nice Scottish Festival, which can sell out quickly due to its popularity.
The first release of tickets last year had sold out by 7th December!
Location: Portree
Date: Thursday 9th May 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £99
Also available: Plus individual event tickets
Contact for info:
Website: www.skyelive.co.uk/
County: Isle Of Skye
Country: Scotland
FifeSing - 10th May 2024 - Falkland, Fife
Traditional singing showcased.
Several venues.
CDs of previous events available too.
Location: Falkland
Date: Friday 10th May 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £60
Also available: Day tickets too
Contact for info: 00 44 (0)1337 830773
Website: www.springthyme.co.uk/fifesing/
County: Fife
Country: Scotland
Moniaive Folk Festival - 10th May 2024 - Moniaive, Dumfries and Gallowa
Described by The Times as One of the coolest villages in Britain.
Moniaive probably has more musical events and festivals (per head of population) than anywhere else in the country. And with a sizeable group of traditional musicians living in the village and surrounding countryside, our pub sessions are amongst the finest.
Sessions, piping competitions, workshops, and more.
Location: Moniaive
Date: Friday 10th May 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £50
Also available: Day, weekend and concert tickets from £15 - £25
Contact for info: info@moniaivefolkfestival.com
Website: www.moniaivefolkfestival.com
County: Dumfries and Gallowa
Country: Scotland
SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival - 17th May 2024 - Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire
A new event for our listings.
Footstompin' bluegrass, soulful americana/folk and outstanding musicianship. Don't miss the 3rd annual SpringGrass bluegrass festival at The Vault Arts Centre.
Location: Newton Stewart
Date: Friday 17th May 2024 for day(s)
Full Price: £0
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: 01671 404924 / 07970 359557
Website: www.tradmusic.com/springgrass-bluegrass-music-festival.php
County: Wigtownshire
Country: Scotland
Orkney Folk Festival - 23rd May 2024 - Stromness, Orkney
Concerts, ceilidhs, dances, clubs and sessions.
The Orkney Folk Festival is widely regarded as one of the most prolific and special throughout Scotland, the UK and further afield.
The three venues that are used the most are the Stromness Town Hall, the Stromness Academy Lecture Theatre and the Stromness Hotel's function room. Other events take place in local community centres/village halls.
Location: Stromness
Date: Thursday 23rd May 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Individually priced events
Contact for info: info@orkneyfolkfestival.com
Website: www.orkneyfolkfestival.com/
County: Orkney
Country: Scotland
The Islay Festival - Feis Ile - 24th May 2024 - Isle of Islay, Southern Hebrides
Uses several locations on the island.
Has it's own website now (previously we linked to a site which regularly talked about it and the island in general).
Mixes folk and whisky on an island wellknown for both. And it's a very pretty island. With Concerts and Ceilidhs, usually.
Location: Isle of Islay
Date: Friday 24th May 2024 for 9 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Individual event prices.
Contact for info:
Website: feisile.co.uk
County: Southern Hebrides
Country: Scotland
Knockengorroch World Ceilidh - 26th May 2024 - nr Dalmellington, Dumfries and Galloway
The World Ceilidh melds together the most ancient roots music with the latest cutting edge sounds. This first truly backwoods upland music fest in Scotland hosts some of the best musicians and performers from across the world. All are invited to journey over hill and dale by rock and stream to our natural greenfield auditorium and to our upland stage to experience the biggest little festival this side of anywhere!
Location: nr Dalmellington
Date: Sunday 26th May 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £153
Also available: Other options available
Contact for info: info@knockengorroch.org.uk
Website: www.knockengorroch.org.uk/
County: Dumfries and Galloway
Country: Scotland
HAAL Festival - 31st May 2024 - Portsoy, Aberdeenshire
A small but popular festival.
Celebrating its 14th year
Folk at the Salmon Bothy will be celebrating our 14th Haal festival. A weekend of Sessions, Concert, Memories etc.. Great guests lined up and, hopefully, many of you, from whom we haven't heard for a while.
Details on site not fully updated yet.
Location: Portsoy
Date: Friday 31st May 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Individual event tickets, around £5 - £7
Contact for info: bobportsoy@gmail.com
Website: bothyfolk.org/
County: Aberdeenshire
Country: Scotland
Arran Folk Festival - 7th Jun 2024 - Arran, Ayrshire
The folk festival on Scotland's lovely little island.
The festival will feature a weekend of open sessions, concerts and Ceilidhs.
Site not fully updated yet.
And now they have a new website in place, so note the url above.
Location: Arran
Date: Friday 7th June 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £45
Also available: Day tickets £26
Contact for info: info@arranevents.com
Website: arranfolkfestival.co.uk
County: Ayrshire
Country: Scotland
The Eden Festival - 13th Jun 2024 - Moffat, DG11 1HQ, Dumfries and Galloway
This is very much a mixture of everything you might find at a festival of some sort - circus, jazz, rockabilly, acoustic, dance, folk. brass, swing.
Spread over four days, you might find something you like. Not your standard folk festival, but family friendly fun.
Location: Moffat, DG11 1HQ
Date: Thursday 13th June 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £151
Contact for info: enquiries@edenfestival.co.uk
Website: www.edenfestival.co.uk
County: Dumfries and Galloway
Country: Scotland
Keith TMSA Festival - 14th Jun 2024 - Keith, Aberdeenshire
There are concerts, a dance, competitions, informal sessions and various other events during the weekend. This page will provide more details as events are finalised.
(Site incomplete just now.)
Location: Keith
Date: Friday 14th June 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: keithfestival@gmail.com
Website: www.keithfestival.com
County: Aberdeenshire
Country: Scotland
Oban International Shanty Festival - 21st Jun 2024 - Oban, Argyll and Bute
Various locations in Oban.
New to our lists, but website looks promising.
Prices available soon.
Location: Oban
Date: Friday 21st June 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: It's got FREE bits
Contact for info:
Website: www.obanshanty.org.uk
County: Argyll and Bute
Country: Scotland
Scottish Traditional Boat Festival - 21st Jun 2024 - Portsoy, Aberdeenshire
Portsoy's annual celebration of our rich maritime and cultural heritage. . . beautiful boats . . . exhilarating skiff races on the open seas . . . maritime and rural craft demonstrations . . . non-stop song and dance . . .mouth-watering food and drink and adventure at the Sports Village (not just for kids!). Not stop song and dance, with an acoustic and Scottish flavour.
Location: Portsoy
Date: Friday 21st June 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £40
Also available: Day tickets too.
Contact for info: contact@stbfportsoy.org
Website: stbfportsoy.org
County: Aberdeenshire
Country: Scotland
Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival - 5th Jul 2024 - Newcastleton, Borders
Join the many friends who will celebrate our anniversary with us. Always a great atmosphere. Special guests include The Occasionals, The Border Directors, The Spiers Family. Enjoy dances concerts, competitions, hosted singing room, outdoor stage, sessions. Try a workshop with The Border Directors (border songs and tunes), Ailsa Mackenzie (harp/dulcimer), Pete Shepheard (ballads) or Kevin Tilbury (bellows pipes).
Location: Newcastleton
Date: Friday 5th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Individually priced concerts, dances, other events. Family weekend £40
Contact for info: elizamood@btinternet.com
Website: www.newcastleton.org.uk/
County: Borders
Country: Scotland
Blazin' in Biggar - 6th Jul 2024 - Biggar, Lanarkshire
Recently launched, Blazin' Fiddles are running an event in Biggar.
A sister fiddle school to the well established Blazin’ in Beauly. This summer the band will launch 'Blazin' in Biggar' - bringing together fiddlers, guitarists and piano players for a weekend of great workshops and music making.
Location: Biggar
Date: Saturday 6th July 2024 for 2 day(s)
Full Price: £120
Contact for info:
Website: blazininbiggar.com/
County: Lanarkshire
Country: Scotland
Dalry Folk Festival - 12th Jul 2024 - Dalry, Ayrshire
A new event, back for its third year.
Takes place in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Location: Dalry
Date: Friday 12th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Several free events, some ticketed
Contact for info: Use facebook
Website: www.facebook.com/DalryFolkClub/?locale=en_GB
County: Ayrshire
Country: Scotland
Newton Stewart + Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival - 12th Jul 2024 - Newton Stewart & Minnigaff, Dumfries & Galloway
A family-run festival in two towns separated by a river.
Music and Dance event.
After those Covid restrictions, we wish them luck for a great event.
Location: Newton Stewart & Minnigaff
Date: Friday 12th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £50
Contact for info: 01671 404924
Website: www.tradmusic.com
County: Dumfries & Galloway
Country: Scotland
Stonehaven Folk Festival - 12th Jul 2024 - Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
The small NE Coastal Town of Stonehaven comes alive with a Weekend of Music and song - Concerts in the Town Hall plus workshops, Ceilidh, sessions, late-night concerts, free afternoon concerts, Family show, Aqua ceilidh, World Paper and Comb Championships, Tradition Bearers Concert and more all around the Town.
Location: Stonehaven
Date: Friday 12th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £0
Also available: TBC
Day tickets too.
Contact for info: admin@stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk
Website: www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk
County: Aberdeenshire
Country: Scotland
Tiree Music Festival - 12th Jul 2024 - Tiree, Inner Hebrides
Think picture-perfect white sands. World-famous surf. Deserted roads lined with lush greenery and wild flowers. Not forgetting more sunshine than practically anywhere else in the UK. It's little wonder that the tiny Hebridean island of Tiree is nicknamed the Hawaii of the North.
Add to this three separate campsites - the main campsite, family campsite and campervan area - and the now famous Community Village with its many stalls and events, and TMF guarantees you an authentic flavour of Tiree. Which, in a nutshell, is the whole idea behind the festival.
Location: Tiree
Date: Friday 12th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £95
Also available: TBC
Contact for info:
Website: tireemusicfestival.co.uk/
County: Inner Hebrides
Country: Scotland
Hebridean Celtic Festival - 17th Jul 2024 - Stornoway, Outer Hebrides
This is not a single venue event so you cannot buy one ticket that covers all events. Please choose carefully to make sure you make the most of your festival experience.
There will be a weekend ticket covering the events in the main arena
Features Hebridean music galore
Location: Stornoway
Date: Wednesday 17th July 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £155
Contact for info: office@hebceltfest.com
Website: www.hebceltfest.com/
County: Outer Hebrides
Country: Scotland
Speyfest - 19th Jul 2024 - Fochabers, Morayshire
At the end of July, the playing fields on East Street in the Moray town of Fochabers will be home to the 23rd annual Speyfest, three days of the best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music.
Concerts, Ceilidhs and Stomps. Free to enter Craft Fair and Festival Clubs. Some of the biggest names from the world of traditional and contemporary Celtic music.
Location: Fochabers
Date: Friday 19th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £123
Contact for info: info@speyfest.com
Website: www.speyfest.com/
County: Morayshire
Country: Scotland
Celtic Gathering Isle of Man - 22nd Jul 2024 - Peel, Isle of Man
Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering.
47th year!
Based in Peel, Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering is a celebration of Manx
culture and the relationship between the Isle of Man and the other five
Celtic countries (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany).
Musicians, singers and dancers!! Concerts, ceilis, sessions, free events and workshops.
As in previous years we are posting this under Scotland and Ireland due to its Celtic theme, as we don't have a separate Isle of Man page.
Location: Peel
Date: Monday 22nd July 2024 for 6 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Day concert tickets too
Contact for info: info@ynchruinnaght.com
Website: www.celticgathering.im
County: Isle of Man
Country: Scotland
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival - 25th Jul 2024 - Beauly, IV4 7BA, Invernessshire
Describes itself as quirky. Has quite a variety of styles of music, some of which may appeal to you. Large number of acts, including folk groups.
Vote the UK's most popular summer music festival at TripAdvisor, so it's clearly doing something right.
Location: Beauly, IV4 7BA
Date: Thursday 25th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £182
Also available: Two day and one day tickets as well
Contact for info: info@tartanheartfestival.co.uk
Website: www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk/
County: Invernessshire
Country: Scotland
ButeFest - 26th Jul 2024 - Ettrick Bay, Isle of Bute, Isle of Bute
A newish three day festival of music, food and fun that is going from strength to strength. This accessible and hugely friendly family festival all takes places a mere thirty-five miles as the crow flies from Glasgow.
Lots of great bands.
Plus a great variety of foods for you to try.
Location: Ettrick Bay, Isle of Bute
Date: Friday 26th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £120
Contact for info: info@butefest.co.uk
Website: www.butefest.co.uk/
County: Isle of Bute
Country: Scotland
Eilean Dorcha Festival - 26th Jul 2024 - Liniclate Machair, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides
EDF is working in conjunction with charitable and educational bodies to identify emerging talent on the island and to give them a platform to perform. There will also be opportunities to learn about digital media, the Gaelic language and to listen to local and visiting musicians.
EDF is about a lot more than just the music. We will also be showcasing "Made in the Hebrides" products.
Location: Liniclate Machair, Isle of Benbecula
Date: Friday 26th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £150
Contact for info:
Website: www.edffestival.com
County: Outer Hebrides
Country: Scotland
Traditional Singing Weekend - 26th Jul 2024 - Cullerlie, Aberdeenshire
The Festival is a unique celebration, bringing together outstanding traditional singers from Scotland, England, and Ireland. The event is especially for those who like to hear, enjoy, and join in unaccompanied traditional singing. Essentially informal, friendly and non-competitive, it will be just the place to encourage the young and less experienced as well as the old hands. The weekend includes ceilidhs featuring the guest singers, singarounds for everyone who can join in, workshops, craft demonstrations and a talk.
Location: Cullerlie
Date: Friday 26th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: 01224 645486
Website: www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/public-engagement/cullerlie.php
County: Aberdeenshire
Country: Scotland
Mugstock - 2nd Aug 2024 - Strathallan Castle, PH3 1JZ, Perthshire
Forget Woodstock, this is Mugstock!
A mixed and varied lineup with music of all sorts, including folk / acoustic music.
Everything I read on their site suggests a great fun event.
Location: Strathallan Castle, PH3 1JZ
Date: Friday 2nd August 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £140
Also available: Various discounts too
Contact for info:
Website: mugstock.org
County: Perthshire
Country: Scotland
Fresh Ayr Folk Fest - 9th Aug 2024 - Rozelle Estate, Ayr, KA7 4NQ, Ayrshire
A new one for our lists.
It will bring established artists in the Folk, World and Roots scene to perform alongside new and emerging acts, both locally and from around the country.
Not only will the festival have some of Scotland’s finest artists, it will showcase some of the best acts from the rest of the UK and overseas.
Location: Rozelle Estate, Ayr, KA7 4NQ
Date: Friday 9th August 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £140
Contact for info:
Website: freshayrfolkfest.com
County: Ayrshire
Country: Scotland
Piping Live! - 10th Aug 2024 - Glasgow, Renfrewshire
A very focused festival, on piping.
Glasgow become the heart of the Piping world with events happening around the clock.
Lots of individual events spread over 7 days and 14 venues.
Location: Glasgow
Date: Saturday 10th August 2024 for 8 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Prices range from free to about £10
Contact for info: contact@pipinglive.co.uk
Website: pipinglive.co.uk
County: Renfrewshire
Country: Scotland
Mull of Kintyre Music Festival - 21st Aug 2024 - Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute
A mixture of events whick includes a fair bit of acoustic music and ceilidhs, and traditional music.
Satisfying an ambition of the Festival to showcase the very best in traditional and contemporary music worldwide whilst also displaying the region's cultural individuality through the talents of the local musicians of all ages.
Location: Campbeltown
Date: Wednesday 21st August 2024 for 5 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: mokfest@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.mokfest.com/
County: Argyll and Bute
Country: Scotland
Marymass Folk Festival - 23rd Aug 2024 - Irvine, Ayrshire
On the picturesque Clyde Coast opposite Arran lies Irvine. It's a 30 minute train journey from Glasgow. There are concerts, sessions, an open stage competition, events in schools, community concerts and not forgetting two World Championships - the amazing Whammy-Diddling and the even more amazing Chuckie-Chucking.
Location: Irvine
Date: Friday 23rd August 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: joyceifc@aol.com
Website: www.irvinefolkclub.org.uk/marymass2023/
County: Ayrshire
Country: Scotland
Kelso Folk Festival - 6th Sep 2024 - Kelso, Scottish Borders
Multiple venues within a small area of the town. With a few free events.
Features evening and daytime concerts, sessions, open mics, singarounds and workshops.
Good value for money.
Location: Kelso
Date: Friday 6th September 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £60
Also available: Day tickets too
Contact for info: kelsoflmc@gmail.com
Website: www.kelsofolkfest.org
County: Scottish Borders
Country: Scotland
Ardersier Folk Festival - 13th Sep 2024 - Ardersier, Invernessshire
It runs for three days and is priced very reasonably indeed.
Includes workshops, open sessions, craft stalls and Ceilidh.
Site now updated.
Location: Ardersier
Date: Friday 13th September 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £40
Also available: Plus individual event tickets
Contact for info: info@ardersierfolkclub.org.uk
Website: ardersierfolkclub.org.uk/Festival Programme.html
County: Invernessshire
Country: Scotland
Queensferry Folk Festival - 14th Sep 2024 - South Queensferry, West Lothian
Back after a gap of a few years.
Small but perfectly formed intro to Scottish folk music.
Workshop as well.
Location: South Queensferry
Date: Saturday 14th September 2024 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £10
Contact for info: sean.sinclair@abbotresearch.co.uk
Website: queensferrymusic.com/
County: West Lothian
Country: Scotland
Ceol Cholasa Music Festival - 19th Sep 2024 - Colonsay, Hebrides
A great little festival on a great little island - described as a remote Atlantic rock (with 120 people on it).
Support this special event.
Usually about half the tickets are pre-booked, so don't miss out by leaving things too late.
Location: Colonsay
Date: Thursday 19th September 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £100
Contact for info: 07984329520
Website: ceolcholasa.co.uk/
County: Hebrides
Country: Scotland
Jura Music Festival - 27th Sep 2024 - The Isle of Jura, Inner Hebrides
30th Anniversary !
6000 deer. 200 people. 1 Jura Music Festival.
A music festival with a leaning towards traditional music, but other genres as well. A well-established favourite for lovers of the traditional music scene.
PS No need to bring your own deer.
Location: The Isle of Jura
Date: Friday 27th September 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: Individual event tickets
Contact for info:
Website: www.juramusicfestival.com/
County: Inner Hebrides
Country: Scotland
Kelso Country & Western Festival - 10th Oct 2024 - Kelso, Borders
This is the second festival with this name, the other takes place in May.
If you struggle to find the web site (we did !) try the Facebook page, which clearly says this is in October.
OCtober Event
Location: Kelso
Date: Thursday 10th October 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £51
Also available: Day and weekend tickets too.
Contact for info: 01302 709601
Website: www.kelso.countrymusic-festival.co.uk/
County: Borders
Country: Scotland
Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival - 10th Oct 2024 - Lerwich, Shetland
Not a lot on their site when we last checked. But the name gives you a strong clue to what is going on.
Location: Lerwich
Date: Thursday 10th October 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: info@shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com
Website: www.shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com/
County: Shetland
Country: Scotland
Blazin' in Beauly - 21st Oct 2024 - Beauly, Invernessshire
Expect full immersion into the music, culture and craic of the Highlands of Scotland, things which Blazin' Fiddles have been championing throughout their many years in the Scottish music scene.
Sessions and tutors.
A unique opportunity to learn from the band and their special guest tutors as well as take part in sessions, concerts, masterclasses and ceilidhs whilst establishing new connections in a stunning part of the country.
Fab for fiddle fans.
Location: Beauly
Date: Monday 21st October 2024 for 5 day(s)
Full Price: £0
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: admin@blazininbeauly.com
Website: blazininbeauly.com
County: Invernessshire
Country: Scotland
Wee Fife Folk Festival - 26th Oct 2024 - Carnegie Hall, Dumfermline, Fife
An evening only event.
The Wee Fife Folk Festival was originally planned in 2020, but we all know what happened then! 2 years later and with a smaller scope, the inaugural event took place. It may have been wee, but it was such fun, we decided to do it all again.
And it's back for 2024 as well.
Location: Carnegie Hall, Dumfermline
Date: Saturday 26th October 2024 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £12
Contact for info: enquiries@glencarsepromotions.co.uk
Website: weefifefolkfest.co.uk
County: Fife
Country: Scotland
Aberdeen FluteFling Weekend - 1st Nov 2024 - Ruthrieston Community Centre, Aberdeen, AB10 7LL, Aberbeenshire
Another event featuring flutes and whistles in Scotland. Web site has been updated recently to include prices and performers. And details of the workshops, sessions, talks, performances and more as well.
Location: Ruthrieston Community Centre, Aberdeen, AB10 7LL
Date: Friday 1st November 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £72
Contact for info: gordon@flutefling.scot
Website: flutefling.scot/scottish-flute-events/aberdeen-flutefling-weekend-2024/
County: Aberbeenshire
Country: Scotland
Scots Fiddle Festival - 15th Nov 2024 - Edinburgh, Midlothian
The Scots Fiddle Festival, sustaining and promoting traditional fiddle music.
Concerts, recitals, workshops, talks, festival club, ceilidhs, open stage, sessions, stalls, free events and lots more
Location: Edinburgh
Date: Friday 15th November 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available: TBA
Contact for info: info@scotsfiddlefestival.com
Website: www.scotsfiddlefestival.com
County: Midlothian
Country: Scotland
The festivals below are older festivals who haven't yet updated their sites
This helps you check up on festivals we haven't yet confirmed are on in 2024. If you see any that HAVE recently updated to this year, let us know (email is given on the Contact page). And if we've missed a festival completely, do tell us.
Highlands & Islands Music and Dance Festival - 28th Apr 2023 - Oban, Argyll and Bute
The Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival has developed into one of Scotland's major arts festivals, and takes place annually in Oban, Scotland.
It includes new special events and competitions, and now offers over 1100 participants 125 competition classes in twelve disciplines including piping, accordion, fiddle, clarsach, piano, recorder, woodwind & brass, singing, Scottish country dancing, highland dancing and choreography.
Location: Oban
Date: Friday 28th April 2023 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available TBA
Contact for info: info@obanfestival.org
Website: www.obanfestival.org/
County: Argyll and Bute
Country: Scotland
Strichen Festival - 19th May 2023 - Strichen, Aberdeenshire
One of the finest places to appreciate our rich tradition of music, song, verse, drama and story, and, at the same time, enjoy listening to, or using, the broad 'Doric' language which is still very much alive here in the North East, and enjoy a friendly family atmosphere where contestants have come from a' the airt's and pairt's o' Scotland and sometimes beyond.
A bit like the Irish festivals that are competitions.
Location: Strichen
Date: Friday 19th May 2023 for 2 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available TBA
Contact for info: info@buchanheritagesociety.co.uk
Website: buchanheritagesociety.co.uk/strichen-festival/
County: Aberdeenshire
Country: Scotland
Killin Music Festival - 16th Jun 2023 - Killin FK21 8UW, Perth
New to our lists for 2023.
I don't know much about the event. But it takes place indoors.
Location: Killin FK21 8UW
Date: Friday 16th June 2023 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £79
Also available Day tickets from &poubd29
Contact for info:
Website: killinmusicfest.com
County: Perth
Country: Scotland
Took place in August last year
Folk Frenzy Summer School - 6th Aug 2023 - Various locations in Lerwick, Shetlands
Back after a four year gap.
Folk Frenzy is Shetland Arts’ annual celebration of the Shetland fiddle and folk tradition. The week of events runs from Sunday to Sunday, during the first week in August each year, centered on workshops teaching the distinctive tunes and technique of the Shetland fiddle style. An opportunity to learn the secrets of Shetland Fiddle and folk from a range of experienced tutors, explore the thriving musical traditions of our unique and beautiful islands, or simply be part of our Festival Week which is packed with a range of Frenzy Fringe options and Evening Concerts.
Location: Various locations in Lerwick
Date: Sunday 6th August 2023 for 6 day(s)
Full Price: £500
Contact for info: info@shetlandarts.org
Website: www.shetlandarts.org/our-work/festivals/folk-frenzy
County: Shetlands
Country: Scotland
Took place in September last year
Linlithgow Folk Festival - 9th Sep 2023 - Linlithgow, West Lothian
Website still has a bit of work required for completion on our last visit.
We always seem to check it before they update it, as we start looking in November of the previous year.
Location: Linlithgow
Date: Saturday 9th September 2023 for 2 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available TBA - Individual event tickets usually
Contact for info: festival@linlithgowfolk.com
Website: www.linlithgowfolk.com/index.php/folk-festival
County: West Lothian
Country: Scotland
Took place in November last year
SEALL Festival of Small Halls - 17th Nov 2023 - Isle of Skye and Lochalsh, Highland
A new festival taking place in and around the Isle of Skye, which we are glad to support in our lists.
It is an nine-day multi-artform winter festival bringing big music to small halls around Skye and Lochalsh with the emphasis on civic celebration - everyone is welcome. Part of the international network of Small halls, it is the first of its kind in Europe.
We bring the best traditional musicians to our remote rural townships, using Scotland's national day - St Andrew's Day - as a reason to celebrate our unique Highland culture in the traditional way.
Location: Isle of Skye and Lochalsh
Date: Friday 17th November 2023 for 9 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available £s;15 per concert
Contact for info: info@seall.co.uk
Website: www.seall.co.uk/small-halls
County: Highland
Country: Scotland
Spread the word - link to our site. Let the music grow.
Member of a folk music club? Then help your fellow folk fans by placing a link to our site on your club's website, thus spreading the news about festivals in the UK to more folk music enthusiasts.
Help the music grow.