5 Feb               Chick McAuley

Chick McAuley is a man whom you could lazily opt to refer to as a "character", and whilst  such a description is accurate - it would be … entirely fair to say that his accompaniment is the glue that holds proceedings together - McAuley is one of the most underrated traditional

accompanists I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. (The Garden Sessions)

12 Feb             (Christine) Kydd & (Francis) Wilkins

Christine Kydd is one of Scotland's most highly respected singers and workshop leaders in Scots song and has been singing folk and traditional songs since she was a child, playing her first concerts at the age of 11

19 Feb             Tom Oakes & Ross Couper

Ross Couper from Shetland (Glasgow) and Tom Oakes from Devon (Edinburgh) are a fiddle and guitar duo deeply rooted in the traditions of Scotland and Ireland but with a vital modernity that chronicles their many musical journeys so far. Expect a highly dynamic mixture of power and fragility with a warmth and humour that leaves audiences exhilarated and entertained. Ross’ explosive fiddle playing lies at the heart of some of the biggest acts on the Scottish folk scene, including 2009 Scots Folk Award winning (Band of the Year) Bodega and the mighty Peatbog Faeries. Tom Oakes is a multi award winning guitarist and flautist who as well as being a founder member of the genre defying Auvo Quartet is also known for his work with Luke Daniels (Riverdance) and 2009 BBC Radio2 Folk Award winner (Best Live Act) Damien Barber. 

with her guitar and her great friends in Glasgow. After working with Janet Russell, with Chantan, Lorraine Jordan, Norman Chalmers and Maureen Jelks,  Chistine has now struck up a musical partnership with Francis Wilkins who is just back from  a research trip exploring a missing link in Scotland’s musical history which can be found in  Canada’s James Bay region. The Cree fiddlers of James Bay have a strong connection with the Orkney Islands through historical links through the Hudson’s Bay Company from the late 1600s.

“Solo or accompanied, Christine's clear voice and feisty delivery imbue ballad and song with

the emotional intensity many singers miss”. Highlander Records

26 Feb             Tim O’Leary & Lewis Powell-Reid

Dublin-born Tim O’Leary is a fine fiddle and cittern player and composer of tunes who has also made himself a name as a singer and songwriter – he is in the company of Lewis Powell-Reid on accordion, mandolin and bouzouki.