Young Scots Trad Awards Winner Tour 2026

Young Scots Trad Awards Winner Tour 2026 – A Scottish Folk Firework! Scottish folk is not just music; it is a way of life that is passed down from generation to generation and is deeply rooted in the culture of the country. In February/March 2026, the magic of this musical heritage can be experienced up close when four talented winners and finalists – including those from the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Awards – will take the stages of Germany by storm. Since its inception in 2018, the Young Scots Trad Awards Winner Tour has captivated audiences with its multifaceted concept that combines tradition and innovation. In the first half of the evening, the artists showcase their individual talents in impressive solo pieces that reflect the diversity and depth of Scottish folk. In the second half, they join forces to transform the stage into a captivating folk firework, convincing with powerful melodies and infectious rhythms. The Young Scots are Chloë Bryce, who enchants with her touching voice and virtuosic violin playing; Calum McIlroy, who takes the audience on an emotional journey with his singing and guitar; Megan MacDonald, who wins the hearts of listeners with her captivating accordion sounds; and Fionnlagh Mac A’ Phiocar, who creates goosebump moments with bagpipes and flutes, bringing tradition to life. This tour is not only a tribute to the young generation of Scottish folk but also a celebration of creativity that carries this traditional music style into the present – ensuring concert evenings full of emotions and unforgettable sounds!

Short info about the musicians:

Calum McIlroy – Guitar, Vocals
Awards/Titles/Nominations: Winner of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2024, Winner of “Battle of the Folk Bands 2024” (with Chloë Bryce and Megan MacDonald)
Listen: youtube.com/c/CalumMcIlroy, youtube.com/watch?v=5aUfN7kLFEU
With a rare blend of virtuosity, sensitivity, and charisma, Calum McIlroy captivates both audiences and critics alike. The musician from Aberdeenshire gives traditional Scottish music a new, distinctive voice – poetic, clear, and yet deeply rooted. In his arrangements, he combines traditional melodies with his own compositions to create a modern soundscape that touches and inspires. It’s no wonder he is already celebrated as an “emerging star of the Scottish traditional music scene” (Mandolin Café).

Chloë Bryce – Violin, Vocals
Awards/Titles/Nominations: Winner of “Celtic Connections Battle of the Folk Bands 2024” (with Calum McIlroy and Megan MacDonald), BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Semi-Finalist 2025, Glastonbury Emerging Talent Winner 2022 (with Lewis McLaughlin)
Listen: youtube.com/watch?v=8SgatWM DVo, youtube.com/watch?v=5aUfN7kLFEU
Hailing from Easter Ross in the Scottish Highlands, Chloë Bryce discovered her passion for traditional music early on through the Fèis Rois movement. As a teenager, she performed on stages at home and abroad with the Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail and honed her skills at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she graduated with First Class Honours. Today, Chloë lives in Glasgow, works as a versatile musician, and is simultaneously studying for a Master’s in Gaelic Arts Education. With her warm presence, emotive fiddle playing, and deep connection to the roots of the Highlands, she embodies the vibrant transmission of Scottish music, language, and culture.

Megan MacDonald – Accordion
Awards/Titles/Nominations: Winner of “Celtic Connections Battle of the Folk Bands 2024” (with Calum McIlroy and Chloë Bryce), Nominated for MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards Up and Coming Artist 2018 with the bands Eabhal and Heisk, Nominated for MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards Up and Coming Artist 2022 with the band Eabhal, Nominated for MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards Album of the Year 2024 with the band HEISK
Originating from the small village of Lairg in the northern Scottish Highlands, Megan's background shapes her distinctive style – deeply rooted in Scottish tradition, refined by subtle modern influences on the piano accordion. With her diverse repertoire of Scottish and international melodies and her emotive, confident playing, Megan MacDonald captivates as a band member, session musician, and instructor alike. She regularly tours with renowned ensembles such as HEISK, Eabhal, Josie Duncan & The Dusk, and Fell Line. Her music combines tradition and modernity, virtuosity and emotion – radiating an infectious joy for life that captivates every audience.

Fionnlagh Mac A’ Phiocar – Bagpipes, Vocals
Awards/Titles/Nominations: BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Semi-Finalist 2025, Young Piper of the Year 2017, Recipient of the Galway Dance International Residency Initiative Award Scheme in 2025 (as the only musician).
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BhWNNpVJ2k
Fionnlagh Mac A’ Phiocar interprets the music from his Gaelic homeland in a refreshingly new way – innovative yet firmly rooted in the tradition he grew up with. The young musician from the Isle of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides is a native Gaelic speaker and has been deeply immersed in the sound world of his region since childhood. His instrument, the Scottish Smallpipes, is characterized by its soft, warm tone and distinctive, harmonically tuned drones. In his performances, Fionnlagh combines playing the smallpipes with Gaelic singing – creating a fascinating, almost hypnotic soundscape that immediately touches his audience and transports them into the soul of the Hebrides.