Arcadia Scotland

From bagpipes to fiddles, the sounds of traditional Scottish music are known the world over.  Despite having roots in the medieval period, secular Scottish music started to take off after the Reformation with references to bagpipes as early as 1547. The 17th century saw the emergence of bagpiping families, such as the MacCrimmons, the MacArthurs, the MacGregors and the Mackays of Gairloch, as well as the emergence of fiddles in the Highlands.

These traditions continued into the 19th century, when famed musicians such as Neil and Nathanial Gow emerged as important figures on the fiddling scene.  Ballads also gained prominence during this period, giving shape and documentation to unique aspects of Scottish culture and some of Scotland's most traditional tunes.

From these early origins, Scottish folk music has endured the test of time and remains a vibrant feature of Scottish culture.  From shows in major concert halls to live music at local pubs, traditional music is found and heard throughout Scotland, offering tunes which express a wide range of themes and emotions.  Scottish folk music ranges from lively and tenacious tunes to songs which are reflective and even full of lament, offering a wide range of musical experiences for locals and visitors alike.

This month, as the days hopefully get warmer and as you wrap up your courses, we urge you to take advantage of the Scottish music scene and experience folk music in its many forms.  We have created a sampling of events in and around your universities, so do check them out!

A few ideas for folk music in your area:

Aberdeen:  
Rura: 16 May, The Lemon Tree, 7:30pm
Rura’s powerful sound comes from a line-up of pipes, whistle, flute, fiddle, bodhran, guitar and vocals. The band, Steven Blake, Jack Smedley, Adam Holmes, David Foley and Chris Waite, features three ‘BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year’ finalists. Talented singer/songwriter Adam Holmes is the latest addition to the line-up, fusing his own sound with the strong folk influence of Rura as the band moves from strength to strength.

Edinburgh
TradFest Edinburgh: 1-8 May, Various venues and times
A festival inspired by the traditional arts and culture of Scotland. Expect music, song, story, dance and craft to coincide with the seasonal rites of Beltane and May Day given a contemporary spin.

Glasgow
Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham: 26 May, Cottier Theatre, 7:30pm
Musical double act Phil and Aly bring together a plethora of musical talent and witty banter.

St Andrews
The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart: 19 May, Town Hall, 7:30pm
A chance to see this lively, pub-set, recent production created by David Greig with the National Theatre of Scotland, taking audiences on a journey through tales of the supernatural, music and theatre, all inspired by the Border Ballads.

Stirling
Dunfermline Strathspey & Reel Society: 28 May, Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, 7pm
With Special Guest: Satunum McElroy Join over 60 musicians from all over the country for the annual Fiddlers’ Rally. This year’s guest artist is Satunum Mcelroy. Founder member of the Lochaber Fiddle Players, Satunum is currently a member of both the Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra and the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and has enjoyed opportunities to tour throughout the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and China.

If you are looking for other events in your area, check out the information below!

Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen May Festival: 27-29 May, Various venues and times
Aberdeen University's May Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the Granite City. The programme features a diverse range of cultural activities, including music, film, literature and food-related events for the whole family.

Aberdeen and Northeast of Scotland Music and Drama Festival: 30-31 May, various venues and times
Aberdeen's oldest and original music, drama and dance Festival. Running since 1909, this summer festival features competitions in story telling, classical music performance and choral singing.

Edinburgh
The Artist and the Sea: Through 8 May, City Art Centre
Images of the sea by generations of Scottish artists, drawn from the Centre's collection.

Celts: Throughout May, National Museum of Scotland
The idea of a shared Celtic heritage across ancient Europe retains a powerful hold over the popular imagination. But many common ideas about the people known as ‘Celts’ are in fact more recent re-imaginings, revived and reinvented over the centuries.

Glasgow
Southside Fringe: 13-29 May, various venues and times
A 17-day festival incorporating music, theatre and activities for all the family. Highlights in 2015 included Old Bohemia and a tribute to Jeff Buckley.

Comic Invention: Throughout May, Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery
A look at graphic narratives and how we tell stories with pictures, from the ancient Greeks to Marvel. Featured is the Glasgow Looking Glass, an important but little-known work which predates Punch by some years and is arguably the oldest known comic.

St Andrews
City of Innovation & Design 1920-1940: 14 May, McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum, 7-9pm
A night at the museum with music, stories, costume and games.

Talking Law: The Trial of Patrick Hamilton: 6 May, Byre Theatre, 7pm

On 29 February 1528, twenty-four year old Patrick Hamilton was brought before an ecclesiastical tribunal at St Andrews Cathedral and convicted of preaching the heretical doctrines of Martin Luther. He was burnt at the stake on North Street, outside St Salvator’s Chapel on the same day. Here you can find out more about the life, trial and execution of Patrick Hamilton.  All are welcome to this event, in which dramatised aspects of the trial will be followed by a debate about the issues from Hamilton’s case which remain relevant today.

Stirling
20th Century Art in Smith Collections: Throughout May, Smith Art Gallery & Museum
Exhibition exploring 20th century works in the gallery's collection, mapping how the contemporary style has changed over a period of 100 years. Featured artists include Helen Flockhart, Joan Sommerville and Graeme Myles.

Tales of the Battlefield: Throughout May, The National Wallace Monument, 11am-4pm
The story of a soldier making his way home following the Battle of Stirling Bridge.