Tag: Skerryvore

Scottish music icons collaborate on bespoke track for 2026 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

TOP SCOTTISH BANDS UNITE FOR UNIQUE TATTOO TUNE

SKERRYVORE, SKIPINNISH AND TIDE LINES FEATURE ON BESPOKE TRACK

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo brings iconic Scottish bands Skerryvore, Skipinnish and Tide Lines together for a brand-new song created for the 2026 Show, A Call To Gather.

In a fitting celebration of contemporary Scottish music, the three bands collaborate on a bespoke track, combining some of their most popular songs – featuring Skerryvore’s Live Forever, followed by Skipinnish’s Alive and then Tide Lines’ Heroes.

Everything Worth Fighting For has been arranged by the Tattoo’s resident composer, Tom Hodge, and will be performed by Tattoo Orchestra lead by Nick Grace, uplifting and inspiring audiences on the castle esplanade this summer.

Lead vocalists from the bands gathered at Glasgow’s Assumption Studios to record the vocals for the track, lending their talents to a truly unique element of this year’s Show.

Alan Lane, Creative Director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The Contemporary Scottish Traditional Music scene is the most exciting cultural movement in Scotland at the moment. And these bands are at the forefront of that movement.

“We’ve worked with these artists before and some of the highlights of recent tattoos have been our collaborations. It’s a key part of the company’s creative direction and long may these friendships continue.”

Alec Dalglish, Skerryvore, said: “It’s amazing to be a part of this collaboration. Lots of the bands are also our friends, so that means a lot to us.

“It’s good to be involved in a project with them, as we don’t get to see each other all that much, so it was cool getting to be in the studio.”

Angus MacPhail, Skipinnish, said: “We loved having our song Eagle’s Wing performed by the fantastic community choir, Sing in the City in the Show last year.

“It’s really special to be involved again this year and, not only that, but to be featured alongside friends from some of our favourite bands.” 

Robert Robertson, Tide Lines, said: “It genuinely is a pinch-me moment to look out and see the Massed Bands playing something that was written in my bedroom in my flat in Glasgow!”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns for their 2026 Show, A Call to Gather from 7 – 29 August.

Tickets can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or call 0131 225 1188.

“Best night of our lives” – BBC ALBA to broadcast Skerryvore’s landmark 20th anniversary Floors Castle concert

BBC ALBA shares iconic Celtic rock band Skerryvore’s 20th anniversary celebrations in a special broadcast of their Floors Castle concert, a week after the live event

Recorded at the stunning Floors Castle in Kelso, Scottish Borders, BBC ALBA’s Skerryvore aig Caisteal Floors captures the energy and emotion of a night that brought together over 6,000 fans from across the world, with a stellar line-up of trad music stars.

Special guests included Trail West and Nathan Carter, who helped set the stage for a rousing headline performance from Skerryvore, marking two decades of unforgettable tracks. The band were also joined by guest performances from Valtos and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums.

The exclusive broadcast airs on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer this Saturday (7 June), with presenter Megan MacLellan sharing backstage interviews and music highlights with some of the band’s best-loved songs including Scottish anthem, Take My Hand.

Formed on Tiree, Skerryvore’s original line-up has grown from island roots into an internationally acclaimed act, with a unique blend of traditional folk, rock and pop. With seven studio albums and a global touring reputation, this anniversary concert represents a milestone in their remarkable journey.

Skerryvore front man, Alec Dalglish, commented: “Celebrating our 20th anniversary in front of fans from all over the world was quite honestly up there as the best night of our lives.

“There’s no feeling in the world like hearing more than 6,000 people singing every lyric back to you – the night will stay with me for a long, long time. Floors Castle made for such a stunning background for this celebration, there was a real sense of occasion that felt fitting to mark two decades together.

“It’s fantastic to have the story of this milestone captured and shared on BBC ALBA – we would encourage anyone who wants to relive it all or those that weren’t able to join us to tune in and experience a slice of the magic of Skerryvore XX.”

Calum McConnell, Commissioning Executive at BBC ALBA, said: “Skerryvore are one of Scotland’s biggest trad music success stories.

“Over two decades, they have played a string of sell out shows across the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe, reimagining traditional folk music to break into the mainstream, garnering fans around the world. 

“Although we’ve featured Skerryvore on BBC ALBA programming at Belladrum and Hoolie in the Hydro, we’ve not had the chance to film one of their headline performances, so it is incredibly special to be showcasing their anniversary concert to viewers.

“Fans that missed out on a ticket, or those who simply want to relive the magic all over again, can tune into BBC ALBA or BBC iPlayer this Saturday, with added behind the scenes stories.”

Catch all the highlights from Skerryvore aig Caisteal Floors on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 7 June at 9pm (in Gaelic with English subtitles).

Watch live or on demand: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002ddsv

Top Scottish bands headlining at World Fair Trade Gathering

THE 2022 World Fair Trade Gathering is getting underway to return to the stage with a sizzling ceilidh fusion and ska line up, this Saturday.

Headlining this high-energy concert at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, are Skerryvore, Peatbog Faeries and Bombskare, who will take to the stage in an amazing line-up of traditional music from Scotland coming together to celebrate World Fair Trade Day and Scotland as a Fair Trade Nation.

Special guests, Pulse of the Place – a local, youth Leith-based Samba band – will be taking to the stage to help make the concert a super lively one. There will also be a range of stalls selling Fair Trade products in the main foyer throughout the evening.

This concert is set to lift the roof at Usher Hall and will be a fun night to remember and once again has been organised by Hand Up Events, a local social action company, led by director, Tania Pramschufer, who said: “It is wonderful we can celebrate World Fair Trade Day again with such a great and exciting line-up.

“This year, we are focussed on climate change and what we can do to make a difference linking to the WFTO climate justice theme. 

https://wfto.com/fairtradeday2022/ 

on the ‘raising our hands for climate justice campaign’.

Thanks also to Usher Hall, The city Edinburgh Council and Scottish Fair Trade Forum for supporting this celebration concert on World Fair Trade Day.

Tickets from The Usher Hall https://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/world-fair-trade-
day-gathering-2022 £15 plus booking fee.

For information, contact Usher Hall on 0131 228 1155.