Sunday 10 May, 2pm to 4pm – Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Tradfest is delighted to announce that Dick Gaughan will appear in conversation with Dr Lori Watson to talk about his life, career and love for Scotland’s big ballads on Sunday 10 May, as part of this year’s Edinburgh Tradfest (1 to 11 May 2026).
Gaughan is a singer of rare quality, a peerless guitar stylist, a charismatic performer and champion of social justice. This legendary musician has also been a huge influence on many of today’s best known folk musicians.
A proud Leither, Dick Gaughan was born in Glasgow in 1948. He moved to Leith at just 18 months old, and began playing in the folk clubs of Edinburgh in the late 60s. In 1970 he turned professional and made his first solo album in 1971. His career saw him recording albums for himself and others, composing music for films and working as an actor and theatre music director.
In the early 80s he worked with 7:84 (Scotland) Theatre Company and released his LP Handful of Earth, widely regarded as a classic and quoted by many artists as a seminal influence on their own work.
Dick’s own songs have been recorded by, among others, Billy Bragg, Mary Black and Capercaille, and he was an early member of Boys of the Lough and Five Hand Reel. In the 1990s he founded Clan Alba, a supergroup also featuring Mary Macmaster, Brian MacNeill, Fred Morrison, Patsy Seddon, Davy Steele, Mike Travis and Dave Tulloch.
More recently, thanks to a campaign by fans and industry professionals, a Kickstarter campaign raised funds to support the release of a 7CD + DVD boxed set R/evolution: 1969-83 in 2025, with more releases planned.
Dick Gaughan: Muckle Sangs is this year’s Rebellious Truth talk presented in partnership with Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh. It will also include a special music set by University of Edinburgh Traditional Artist in Residence, in Celtic and Scottish Studies Fraser Fifield.
Dr Lori Watson, Celtic & Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh said: “Talking of the muckle sangs, Dick Gaughan’s traditional ballads such as Glenlogie or Floo’er o Northumberland are a masterclass in Scots song interpretation.
“There is a deep understanding of the lives, experiences and relationships in the songs as well as the demands of the ballad form. Dick Gaughan is one of the finest, fiercest, and most compassionate storytellers in song that Scotland has seen.”
The event will be presented in person and livestreamed.
Dick Gaughan: Muckle Sangs is just one event in this year’s packed 11 day Edinburgh Tradfest programme, presenting the very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world. Other headliners include: RURA, Kim Carnie, Session A9, and The Furrow Collective.
Edinburgh Tradfest 2026 will run from Friday 1 May – Monday 11 May. Full programme including folk film and storytelling will be announced on Tuesday 17 March 2026 thanks to support from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.
For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com
