CELTIC REVIEW & PHOTOS 2026

 

Fiona Hunter and the Scottish Symphony orchestra

Record breaking Celtic Connections delivers message of hope and unity to the world

Its usually hard to decide, as there are so meny concerts on over the festivals weekends, which concerts to attend. The opening night this year celebrated the over 200 artists from Europe and worldwide who will perform at Celtic Connections. Through diverse, contemporary  traditional, electic, national and roots music. The festival brings people together people from different places, cultures, backgrounds, traditional – to explore and expand our musical horizons. 

This year I decided to attend Friday’s concert which brought together the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and outstanding singers with new orchestral commissions for a celebration of Scots traditional ballads, brought to a deeper resonance. singers of traditional ballads were acclaimed Scots folk singers - Karine Polwart, Kris Drever, Lori Watson, Janice Burns with Jon Doran, Emily Smith, Fiona Hunter.  

 

Celtic Connections is Europe’s leading winter and roots music festival, it certainly chases away those winter blues! I was thrilled to attend several high quality and wonderful concerts this year. There are many concerts I might wish to have attended – Mother Tongue, Celebration of Gaelic song, Capercaillie, Jacob Jolliff, and many more. 

Scots legend Dick Gaughan Celebrated!

**The highlight for me at CC this year was the celebration of Scots folk legend Dick Gaughan. He is a voice of deep humanity in our present dark world. This was the most emotional Celtic concert I have been to, over my twenty years attending and doing photos! Testament to Dick’s fame and widespread appeal among legends of the folk music scene, several had travelled far and wide to perform tonight from Ireland, England and Scotland, to perform Gaughan’s well loved songs. Many has also sent messages. 

 

I first heard Dick Gaughan in the 70s at the Police folk club Edinburgh. A musician friend raved about how incredible and distinctive his guitar playing was. Many years later (after being in America for nearly ten years) I heard Gaughan again at Milngavie Folk club in 2007. This was an intimate gig where his chat and stories between songs while he tuned his guitar, was worth going for alone. In his own distinctive voice, Gaughan hammers and speaks with his acoustic guitar.

Gaughan brought many of the traditional Irish and Scots Celtic songs to new life. I’d never heard Robert Burns Westlin Winds before Gaugan introduced this as one of the best songs ever written. He searched through the Scottish national archives for the best traditional ballads. Like Burns and Dylan before him Gaughan has been a genius song collector and remaker of the old songs. He drew on his Scots and Irish traditions to develop his song craft and performance. 

Another highlight was the excellent Irish Scots folk trad music at the concert with Julie Fowlis with SCO at Celtic Connections 2026 – with their well-crafted songs. Julie has a clear musicality, along with her husband Irish bouzouki (Greek mandolin) player Emanon Doorley and now partnered with Irish fiddler and Gaelic singer Zoe Conway and Irish musician John McIntyre.    The quartet’s 2024 ALLT albums captures their authentic traditional music with that impactful live vibe and a cohesive sound: with soaring pipes, fiddles, melodies, dynamic rhythm guitar, the emotional solo voice, and the collective and caressing soothing vocal harmonies. They played the range and depth of traditional music – and the long roots between Irish and Scottish music. Both intimate and powerful. All performers were clearly thrilled to have the impact and range of the SCO behind them, to enrich their music with strings, percussions, wind instruments. Creatively conducted by David Brophy.

Karen Matheson

The Celtic roots celebration returned for its 31^st year at Celtic Connections music festival. Transatlantic Sessions is one of the highlights of Celtic Connections music festival, with both the familiar tunes and the new. TS brings together the deep connections between Irish, Scots and American music. Its a special blend of the churning rhythms of bluegrass, country, the fine Scots melodies, jigs and reels and the haunting Irish Gaelic song. This year we were treated to a quality range of performers – from America, Kathy Mattea, and Darrell Scott: from Scotland Karine Polwart and from Ireland Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh. 

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.

This has been another hugely successful festival to chase away the winter blues.

Darrell Scott

Kathy Mattea

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh

 16^th  Friday -  BBC Orchestra, Beyond the Tradition

 

17^th Saturday -  Celebration of Gaelic song

 

18^th Sunday –  True and Bold:  A Night for Dick Gaughan

 

21^st Wednesday  - Julie Fowlis & Scottish Chamber orchestra

 

23^rd Friday – Capercaillie 

 

23^rd Friday - Jacob Jolliff

 

29^th Thursday  -  Shooglenifty

 

1^st February – Transatlantic Sessions

Kris Drever

Record breaking Celtic Connections delivers message of hope and unity to the world =  Celtic Connections music festival 2026 celebrated several sell out live performances, record-breaking ticket sales and unique events, sending a message of hope and unity around the world about the power of music, cultural identity and collaboration.

More than 1,600 artists over 300 events at 25 venues across in Glasgow - Scotland’s largest live music city. This year’s event recorded over 200 sell outs, compared to 125 in 2025. With attendances of 114,000 across 18 days - with the highest ever number of tickets sold in the event’s 33-year history - cementing its place as the biggest winter festival of traditional, roots and world music on the planet.  Artists from 35 countries, included Palestine, Iraq, Ukraine, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Gambia, Mali, Senegal, Sweden, Norway, Ireland and the United States.

 

Ceilidhs and family events proved popular, with 637 participants taking part in music and song workshops. Four free concerts welcomed 7,000 children and young people from across Scotland to the Glasgow Concert Hall. With performances from Sian, DLÙ, Celtic Fandango and Ímar. Since 1999, more than 300,000 children and young people have benefited from the festival’s learning programme.

  

The last night’s programme, included the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year final, the Danny Kyle Open Stage, Transatlantic Sessions and a performance from three-time Grammy winner Lucinda Williams, concluded the first major event in a busy year for Glasgow in 2026. 

 

Showcase Scotland shone a light on participants from Quebec, along with a wealth of homegrown talent, With international delegates attending from 24 nations for five days of top performances and networking opportunities.

 

The festival is delivered by Glasgow Life in partnership with Innis & Gunn. Celtic Connections is supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Creative Scotland.

Glasgow will also host WOMAD for the first time in July, the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Royal National Mòd in October.

 

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “Scotland’s trad and folk artists were at full strength every single day during Celtic Connections 2026. Tradition bearers were honoured, new stars were born, and Scotland’s music proved yet again that it contains the very best the world has to offer. This was a particularly strong year for international artists too, as the festival celebrated different global cultures, bringing voices together in harmony, not discord, and creating music without borders.”

 

Celtic Connections Creative Director Donald Shaw said: “Such a unique coming together of performers as a global family sends a powerful message about the strength of music, cultural identity and collaboration, especially at a time when the world can feel more fragmented than ever."

“From the Drygate to Donbas, Byres Road to Baghdad, Candleriggs to Palestine, these past incredible days have been forged in friendship, fortitude and the freedom to express ourselves through song, dance and performance, filled with hope, inspiration and togetherness.  “From unforgettable headline moments to seeing artists step onto a Celtic Connections stage for the very first time, we have been united by the music and that is a legacy that will thrive long after the lights have dimmed. With the extraordinary support of our funders and partners, colleagues, venues, audiences and incredible volunteers, this is a festival built by passion and people, celebrating a rich cultural tapestry, musical pioneers and songwriting greats."

 

“To see audiences turn out in such record numbers through a cold and wet winter month is the most fitting tribute we could hope for, and I would like to thank everyone involved for making our 33rd edition so memorable, as we already begin the exciting work of looking ahead to what comes next.” 

Dick Gaughan Life on the Edge, Voice of Humanity

Gaughan is a voice of deep humanity in our present dark world. 

Gaughan brought many of the traditional Irish and Scots Celtic songs to new life. I’d never heard Robert Burns Westlin Winds before Gaugan introduced this as one of the best songs ever written. He searched through the Scottish national archives for the best traditional ballads. Like Burns and Dylan before him Gaughan has been a genius song collector and remaker of the old songs. He drew on his Scots and Irish traditions to develop his song craft and performance. 

 

I first heard Dick Gaughan in the 70s at the Police folk club Edinburgh. A musician friend raved about how incredible and distinctive his guitar playing was. Many years later (after being in America for nearly ten years) I heard Gaughan again at Milngavie Folk club in 2007. This was an intimate gig where his chat and stories between songs while he tuned his guitar, was worth going for alone. In his own distinctive voice, Gaughan hammers and speaks with his acoustic guitar.

 

He is an interpreter of Scotland’s traditional folk ballads. Gaughan has become a legend on the Scottish and world folk circuits for more than 40 years. He is an interpreter of Scotland’s traditional folk ballads. Songs of social conscience and an evening of contrast, quality and sincerity

Gaughan is Scots/ Irish and has spent his life in Leith Edinburgh. He’s a social protester, a profound storyteller who crosses boundaries, forges alliances through the depth of his story telling, and song and open chord’ dramatic guitar playing. His songs don’t flow easily to the shore – and they also share the full range of emotions. 

Its about the emotion of the song and the storytelling. Gaughan drew on his Scots and Irish traditions to develop his song craft and performance. He draws from both Irish and Scottish folk traditions. He performs traditional folk tunes, Robert Burns, favourite cover songs and his own songs. He doesn't play the predictable smoothed-over sugar box 'tartan shortbread' songs.

So glad to hope the younger generations are carrying the stream. (More so in Ireland perhaps?). I have to admit the most emotional Celtic concert I’ve been to. So many memories….You come away from his gigs questioning and renewed in the faith of our shared humanity.  

**SONGS – Erin Go Bragh, Workers Song, The Snows they Melt the Soonest, No Gods, Wages Day, Language of the Gaels, Song for Ireland, Westlin winds, Daughters and Sons, Craigie Hill, What you do with what you’ve got,  Both Sides the Tweed.

Gaughan is plain spoken and holds firmly held beliefs on the rights of everyman. Gaughan had a stroke in 2016, which means he can no longer play the guitar. He’s not been able to play for nearly ten years. Gaughan’s album Handful of Earth became an iconic folk album. 

·       (R/evolution: 1969–83) was released in January 2026 along with 

·       Live at the BBC: 1972–79 (vinyl).  

* The concert was recorded by BBC Radio Scotland. (Celtic concerts used to be recorded by the BBC Scotland tv.)

 

GUITAR  Earthy, real and powerful guitar playing, an incredible presence and depth. Gaughan says his guitars is an integral part of his singing. The Song has a tempo all of its own. The guitar has to follow the song. His distinctive style of guitar playing, with open chords and timing that he learnt from guitarist Davey Graham which was tuned differently. Gaughan plays with open chords and dramatic timing that he learnt from guitarist Davy Graham. 

SONG COLLECTOR - He took past folk stories and songs from the library archives and put new melodies to them. 

POLITICS  Gaughan is plain spoken and holds firmly held beliefs on the rights of everyman

BANDS - He played with Aly Bain’s Boys of the Lough and a punk band called Five Hand Reel.

 

Clan Alba, A folk supergroup, featured Dick Gaughan. Mary Macmaster, Brian MacNeill, Fred Morrison, Patsy  distinctive collective harmonies. Their 1996 debut album - included ‘Bye Bye Big Blue’, a lament for the closure of the Ravenscraig Steel Works, and Gaughan’s evocative ‘Childhood’s End’.

 

SONGS    Niel Gow  Craigie Hill  who had sung with Dick in ‘Clan Alba’,  the folk songcraft and voice tradition of the folk songcraft and voice tradition 

 

Songs of social conscience and an evening of contrast, quality and sincerity.You come away from his gigs questioning and renewed in the faith of our shared humanity. Gaughan has become a legend on the Scottish and world folk circuits for more than 40 years. He is an interpreter of Scotland’s traditional folk ballads. Songs of social conscience and an evening of contrast, quality and sincerity

 

Dick Gaughan is a towering figure in folk music circles, a musician whose radical politics have always been to the fore. I did many benefit gigs with him in the 80s and was inspired to record 'The World Turned Upside Down' after hearing his version on the magnificent 'Handful of Earth' LP.

Sadly his career has suffered two major setbacks. Firstly, much of his material was issued on small labels which no longer exist, meaning it's not available physcally or via streaming services. Secondly, he has been unable to perform since 2016 due to the effects of a stroke he suffered.

A group of friends and comrades have come together to address these issues by compiling and releasing a seven CD and DVD boxed set from which Dick will benefit directly once the costs have been covered. To this end they have set up a Kickstarter page to raise funds for the project. 

Dick Gaughan's entire career has been about showing solidarity for people in need. Let's show some solidarity for him now and get this project funded and flying.

 

Awww the Dick Gaughan tribute concert was amazing!! So emotional, so many folk icons from Scotland, England and Ireland. Plus all those Black and white images of the 70s folk scene in Edinburgh. The Irish artist Seamie O’Dowd who performed Song for Ireland was so good, one of those hushed silence moments... And Dick Gaughan was actually there at the end and sang a bit. He’s the most iconic folk artist, song collector and awesome guitarist of the past century. The most emotional Celtic Connections concert I’ve been to (over the past twenty years)….

 

 A voice of deep humanity in our present dark world. I first heard Dick back at an Edinburgh folk club in the 70s! My son has seen Dick live several times and was also moved to tears at the tribute concert. He plays guitar and Westlin Winds was always a favourite to play ....I hope the younger generations are carrying the traditions. I have photos from the concert will post.

The Solid Oak Tree True and Bold: It’s the song that Matters

 Earthy and grounded on sure solid roots,

I will follow your lead where it takes me,

Sure footed and solid and deep where it matters, 

Your hearts true and open and bold.

You search where it matters staying honest and true,

When so much around us is fake falsehoods and cruel, 

Dishonesty and ignorance that ignore what really counts,

Make your voice a beacon of light and hope.

As your strength of character pounds out the rhythms

And angst on your guitar,

You stand true and bold in a world that’s lost its way,

Your like the solid oak tree.

 You sang of the bonny yew tree,

Tell me what do you see.

“When the poor hunt the poor across mountain and moor
The rich man can keep them in chains

“So I raise up my glass and drink deep of its flame

To those who have gone who were links in the chain
And I give my soul's promise, I give my heart's pledge
To outlaws and dreamers and life at the edge.”

Don’t let go of the harness

That keeps us together,

As you search for truth in the auld ballads and songs,

Stay true,

It’s the song that matters.

PK 

Photography & Writing 2026

*BIO photography

Music is our first and last memory. It’s the most interconnected and emotional of all the arts. I came across the strong impact of live music on the folk scene in Scotland and Edinburgh, with those soaring fiddles, strumming guitars and banjos, the beats and rhythms of the bohran. The immediate energy, the collective voice and instinctive collaborations. The power of the moving ballad, sung by a plaintive female singer or the emotion and memories of a traditional ballad. The impact, depth and hinterland of the traditional song. 

 

Many of the greatest songwriters start of by singing the history and past times of the traditional folk ballads and tunes –notably Bob Dylan and Robert Burns being two.

 

I’ve long held a passion for the visual image. I enjoyed sketching with those varying thickness of pencils: from the softest 5B to the hard edges of 5H pencils, or with charcoal or water paints and ink. I took art at school. I explored portraits, still life and the sense of lost horizons. I play piano too, and through musicals, my national song books and Mozart, I explored my passion for music.

 

II

I began shooting music photography in 2007. I discovered that a good image is mostly about having a good eye, while good technique and equipment helps. I shot mostly at small venues and festivals, and received good feedback and commissions. 

 

Some highlight concerts: Michael Marra Mugdock theatre: Elton John SECC; Van Morrison Concert hall; Fleetwood Mac SECC; Bob Dylan Braehead arena; Paul Simon Clyde Auditorium; Del Amitri Hydro; Paul McCartney Hampden; Nicola Benedetti Concert hall; Snow Patrol Bellahouston; Nile Rodgers at Edinburgh book festival Unbound; 

 

At Milngavie Folk Club: (2012 – 2018) Dick Gaughan, Dougie MacLean, Rab Noakes, Barbara Dickson, Cara Dillon, Kris Drever,

 

At Celtic Connections festival (2008 – 2026) Transatlantic Sessions, Grit orchestra, Capercaillie, Richard Thompson, the Chieftains, Punch Brothers, Julie Fowlis, Eddi Reader, Aly Bain, Jerry Douglas, Kris Drver, Karine Polwart, Tim O’Brien, Martin Carthy, Russ Barenberg; Blazin Fiddles, Lau, Rosanne Cash, Ross Wilson.

 

I’ve also taken images at Edinburgh international Book festival from 2010 – 2025. This festival is the first and biggest book festival begun in 1983. 

 

Many famous faces, authors, artists, scientists, musicians, politicians attend – Seamus Heaney, Neil Gaiman, Edna O’Brien, Alexander MacColl Smith, Carol Joyce Oats, Ruth Rendall, Alan Cumming, Brian Cox, John Byrne, Alex Salomd, Ian Rankin and many more.

 

Writing 

I have been rediscovering and reframing the genius Scots poet Robert Burns, after hearing his songs sung again at Celtic Connections music festival. I discovered there are so many myths surrounding him. I wanted to find the real authentic poet behind the many myths. 

 

I write on music, arts, poetry and history – mostly on all things Scotia. Since 2015 I have been exploring the life and times of our great Scots bard Robert Burns and how he became the genius songwriter. I have visited Burns country in Ayrshire. Burns was also about the whole of Scotland – from his Scotia travels and his time in Edinburgh. 

 

I have a large archive of images on my photo website - https://pkimage.co.uk

  

Transatlantic Sessions 2026

The Celtic roots celebration returns for its 31^st year at Glasgow's Celtic Connections music festival. Transatlantic Sessions is one of the highlights of Celtic Connections music festival, with both the familiar tunes and the new. TS brings together the deep connections between Irish, Scots and American music. Its a special blend of the churning rhythms of bluegrass, country, the fine Scots melodies, jigs and reels and the haunting Irish Gaelic song. This year we were treated to a quality range of performers – from America, Kathy Mattea, and Darrell Scott: from Scotland Karine Polwart and from Ireland Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh. 

To set the tone the concert began with the familiar refrains of Aly Bain’s tune Waiting for the Federals. America dubro master, Jerry Douglas was our musical director and compare for tonight’s concert and he provided his dynamic steel guitar melodies, along with Tatiana Hargreaves and Allison de Groot on banjo and fiddle - counterbalancing the Scots fiddles, pipes and accordion of John McCusker, Donald Shaw, James Mackintosh, Michael McGoldrick and strongly backed by John Doyle’s energetic rhythm guitar and Kimbro on double bass. 

Irish singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, transported us with her Irish Gaelic song - An Rabhais ac an Carraig which was heart wrenching and haunting. She spoke of how ‘Irish Catholics were repressed, to wipe out their language and music ‘ Through music, messages were sent back and forth. She is a musician from Country Kerry and was the lead singer for the traditional music group Danu

American award-winning musician and songwriter, Darrell Scott, was a highlight with his songs Great Day to be Alive and Wandering Johnny. Fellow American, country singer Kathy Mattea and Scott were moving with their stirring duet of his song, You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive. Mattea also sang a poignant Dougie MacLean song, Ready for the Storm.

Karine Polwart is a popular stalwart of Scottish folk music - renowned for her solo albums and for her collaborative work. Tonight she performed her impassioned song Liberty Tree, inspired by Tom Paine (whose pamphlets on the rights of man helped to start the American wars of independence). 

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. Polwart then led us all in rousing singing of the well kent Scots classic, Wild Mountain Thyme. Followed by energetic uplifting tunes for their encore. 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.

 

(Darrell Scott has written American country hits, such as Dixie Chicks Long Time gone, and is  a leading Nashville season instrumentalist. Scott has collaborated with Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Kate Rusby, Robert Plant. His songs have been covered by Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks, Suzy Bogguss and more. His album, Crooked Road, 2010, won the award for the Country Album category from The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards.) 

Photos and Review Pauline Keightley – www.pkimage.co.uk

**SET LIST 

Tune. Waiting For The Federals

Darrell Scott    Great Day To Be Alive   Wandering Johnny

Muireann  Si Bheag Si Mhor    Nead Na Lachan

Tunes: My Lily

Karine Polwart   Rebecca   Liberty Tree

John Doyle   Little Bird

Tune For Danny/ Michael McGoldrick

Kathy Mattea- - Love at the Five and Dime/   Come From The Heart 

Tunes:  Far From Home

 

Second Set:  Jerry tune  The Last Wild Moor

Tati and Allison

Daniel Kimbro My Common Law Mexican Step-Dad

Muireann An Rabhais ac an Carraig

Kathy Mattea  -  Ready For The Storm

Tunes: Charlie Hunter

Darrell and Kathy -  You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive

Tunes:  Hector the Hero set

Karine  - Wild Mountain Thyme

Encore:  Tunes Jiggy/Helvic