DW and I will be travelling to Scotland in late April 2025 (28/04 to 10/05). I'm researching family ancestry in Ayrshire; probably looking at gravestones in various towns. But my wife would like to hear or experience Scottish music. Have you used a guide, or can you direct me to a website, for music in Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Ayr?
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8059 posts
Hi, leonard, I was in Scotland in 2023 and sought out some music. Before I left, however, I posted this thread that contained some good website links for finding music in Scotland. It also has some good info from the members here.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/scotland/finding-live-music-in-scotland
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
767 posts
Here's a site that includes Scottish music in addition to Irish:
https://thesession.org/sessions/
Here's another one, but it is only available through the "wayback" internet archive. Still works fine but probably slowly becoming stale:
https://web.archive.org/web/20220810115020/https://www.scottish-folk-music.com/clubs.htm?tab=2#TabbedPanels1#content2
I usually look at towns with Google Maps, search for "nearby/bars&pubs" then see what pops up. The Google synopsis sometimes mentions music, but more often you have to click through to a website or Facebook page. Almost every bar has a FB page even if you don't see a link. The Scots are a very musical people, and there's almost always something somewhere if you look hard enough. Late April will be a little tougher than later in the high season.
There's also these:
https://www.scotlandsmusic.com/Explore/SessionsAndClubs
http://www.gigguide.co.uk/
https://www.traveling-savage.com/2013/10/29/best-scotland-five-destinations-folk-music-fans/
If you're interested in pipe bands or ceilidhs, there are a bunch of resources that will respond to a prod by Google.
Travel planning can be a lot of work!
Posted by
OP
Oregon
263 posts
Mardee and jjgurley, thank you for sharing your research and links.
Posted by
Delaware
1465 posts
Hi, Leonard,
As you're going to be in the Ayrshire area during your holiday, one of the best small traditional folk festivals is happening in Girvan from the 2nd. through the 4th. of May. Next year is their 50th. anniversary, so it's bound to be a good one! They always have a lineup of some of the best Scottish and Irish traditional musicians.
If you plan to go, get your tickets as soon as they go on sale. Most of the venues are small, and sell out fast.
Best wishes,
Mike (Auchterless)
Posted by
Lake District, England
7974 posts
Although in October, it is worth mentioning here for the benefit of others, the first week of October each year sees the Cumnock Tryst in Ayrshire.
There has been some seriously good and original music at that festival over the years.
It is also a very good reason to visit this oft neglected part of East Ayrshire
Posted by
OP
Oregon
263 posts
Thank you Mike, that is exactly when we'll be there! I'm looking this up right now.
Posted by
OP
Oregon
263 posts
I also see there is the Edinburgh Tradfest May 2-12, 2025.
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
767 posts
If you're in Edinburgh on Sunday, try The Shetland-Edinburgh Fiddlers at Digger's Bar in the back room at 7pm. We were the ONLY audience with seven musicians - quite a personalized experience. Many of them had just come from playing at Sandy Bell's which they said was overwhelmed with a crowd. We were at Sandy Bell's on the previous trip, and it WAS crowded, but we waited for opportunities to move forward, and ended up next to the players for most of the night. The most popular places often follow that pattern - stand in the back,, then sit in the back, then move forward as folks come and go.