Aly Bain Shetland Fiddler turns 80!

Aly Bain Shetland Fiddler turns 80,

Happy birthday Aly!......He is a leading voice on the Scottish folk scene – unassuming and supremely talented. He learned the Shetland fiddle style on the lap of his teacher. He’s a founder of the Transatlantic Sessions: begun in 2005 and in 2026 in its 31^st year. Along with master dubro player American Jerry Douglas, Bain is a musical director of this classy and accomplished TS band. 

Aly Bain & Nicola Benedetti

Aly performed with the renowned violinist Nicola Benedetti at the Celtic Connections opening concert 2012, along with Phil Cunningham. Benedetti was intrigued to learn the Shetland fiddle techniques. 

Aly Bain Transatlantic Sessions

My Review for The Transatlantic Sessions 2026

Aly Bain drives deep into the emotions, as he played his subtle and expressive Shetland fiddle with his expert ease on Hector the Hero set. 

The quality TS band are always tight and impressive, the glue for this concert. As we leave to brave the cold January night air, we are heartened by the jovial warmth and musical energy of this ever popular concert!

 

Like a musical river from Tennessee to Nashville to west Kerry, than to Shetland and to Pathhead Midlothian. As Mattea described, the colourful, one off collaborating at Celtic Connections lead to arteries “like the roots of a tree that lead to different accents – and make the collaborating more sweet.” Like a fascinating patchwork quilt with the variety and range of musical styles and genres that challenge and add musical colour to our lives.

 

The show's seasoned house band, guided as ever by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, features renowned Celtic and Americana roots musicians John Doyle, Michael McGoldrick, Tatiana Hargreaves and Allison de Groot, John McCusker, Donald Shaw, James Mackintosh, and Daniel Kimbro.

I’ve been taking photos at the Transatlantic Sessions since 2008! 

There’s a large archive of TS photos on my website – https://pkimage.co.uk/celticconnections

He continues to tour with accordion player and pianist and composer Phil Cunningham.