Scottish Sessions
This is a small select list of some of the sessions taking place in Scotland.Please note that information on this list is correct at the time of collating the list but Scotlandsmusic does not accept responsibility for any events which are cancelled or changed. Please check details with the venues given with each listing.
If you would like your venue or event to be added to the list please contact us at info@scotlandsmusic.com
Highland Music Sessions
The Balconie Inn, Dingwall – Sunday session, 8.30pm, http://www.balconieinn.com/
The Beach Bar, Commerce Street,Lossiemouth - folk club weekly Tuesday, 8.30pm, 01343 813 164
Blackfriars Highland Pub, 53 Academy St, Inverness - various music nights a week - traditional, folk, country, blues, ceilidhs http://www.blackfriarshighlandpub.co.uk
Ceol Beo, Dores Inn, Dores village - 3rd Sunday of the month, 3-6pm
Clachnaharry Inn, Inverness - every Thursday from 9pm, 01463 239 806 http://www.clachnaharryinn.co.uk
Comm Bar, Thurso – Every Wednesday night, 9pm
Hootananny 67 Church St, Inverness, various dates and musicians, with sessions on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - 01463 233651 http://www.hootanannyinverness.co.uk
Garth Hotel, Castle Road, Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire, PH26 3HN – Session fortnightly on Wednesday, 8pm, http://www.garthhotel.com
Glenfinnan House Hotel, Glenfinnan, Fort William, PH37 4LT – Session every Thursday hosted by the Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band, 9pm, 01397722235
Grassroots Cafe, 9 Craigard Road, Oban - Open session every Sunday 12 - 4pm.
The Mallard, Station Square, Dingwall – Summer session every Sunday, 3pm-6pm, 01349 866286
Mayflower Thistle Inn, Inverness - weekly ceilidh nights, 8.30pm
MacGreogor's Bar, Inverness - sessions, ceilidh house, good food and more. Contact: 01463 719629 theteam@macgregorsbars.com
The Rod 'n Reel, Crianlarich, West Highland Way - every Saturday - 9pm http://www.rodandreelpub.co.uk/
The Royal Hotel, Cromarty – session held on the last Friday of every month, poetry, song and range of ability welcomed, 8.30pm http://www.royalhotel-cromarty.co.uk/index.asp
Munlochy Sessions, Allangrange Arms, Munlochy. First Saturday of every month at 8.30pm
Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, Huntly Street, Inverness, Claik an' Clype Storytelling Circle, 1st Monday of the month, 7.30pm
Skye & Lochalsh
The Bosville Hotel, Portree – Wednesday, 01478 612846 http://www.bosvillehotel.co.uk/
The Cellar Bar, Dunvegan Hotel, Skye, Thursday evening from 9.30pm, 01470521313 (For further info contact Peter Morrison, 01470 521753, email: peterpiping@sky.com)
Edinbane Inn, Skye, Wednesday evenings 8.30pm and Sunday afternoons from 2pm, 01470 582 414 http://www.edinbaneinn.co.uk/
The Old Inn, Carbost, Isle of Skye, IV47 8SR – Friday evening session, 9pm http://www.theoldinnskye.co.uk
Plockton Inn, Plockton village - Tuesdays (summer only) and Thursdays, 9pm, 01599 544222 http://www.plocktoninn.co.uk
Rockvilla Hotel, Main Street, Lochcarron – Musicians welcome any time, contact first, 01520-722379 http://www.rockvilla-hotel.co.uk
Saucy Mary's, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye – Session every Sunday, 9pm (summer only)
Breakish Folk Club, meets on the first Monday of the month in Breakish Hall near Broadford at 8pm, Lis Philips 01471820086
Edinburgh area
The Antiquary, St Stephen’s Street, Stockbridge – Led session Thursday, 9.15pm, http://www.theantiquarybar.co.uk/
The Black Swan, 23-24 Sandport Place, Leith – Every Sunday, 7.30pm, 0131 553 7692
Biddy Mulligan’s, 94 Grassmarket - live music Sunday to Friday, http://www.biddymulligansbar.com/
Captain’s, South College Street, Edinburgh - 8.30pm every evening, 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday
Ceilidh Club, the Lot - http://www.edinburghceilidhs.com
Edinburgh Folk Club, Pleasance Cabaret Bar, Edinburgh - Wednesdays weekly, 8pm, http://www.edinburghfolkclub.co.uk/
Finnegan’s Wake, 9b Victoria Street, Edinburgh – live music 7 nights, 0131-226 3816 http://www.finnegans-wake.co.uk/
The Hebrides Bar, 17 Market Street, Edinburgh - session musicians welcome anytime- Monday - Thursday 11am - midnight, Friday and Saturday 11am - 1am, Sunday session hosted by Sandy Brechin, 0131-220 4213
The Newliston Arms, Kirkliston – Monday night, 9pm, much of the repertoire is from Scots Music Group tune books.
The Royal Oak, 1 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh - trad. and contemporary folk music/song, 7 days 0131 557 2976 http://www.royal-oak-folk.com/
Sandy Bell’s, 25 Forrest Road, Edinburgh - 9pm weekdays and 3pm weekends 0131 225 2751
The Shore Bar, 3-4 The Shore, Leith – Wednesdays 9.30pm-12am, 0131 553 5080 http://www.theshore.com
The Tass Bar, 1 The High Street, Edinburgh – Wednesday session 9.15pm
The Three Monkeys, High Street, Portobello, Edinburgh – Tuesday evening session, 9pm
West End Hotel, 35 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh – Sunday Sing-a-long-a-Shindig session 5pm-8pm, 0131-225-3656, info@thewestendhotel.co.uk
Whistlebinkies, Edinburgh - http://www.whistlebinkies.com - live music bar
The White Hart Inn, 34 Grass Market – Session Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9pm-12am, 0131 226 2806 http://www.whitehart-Edinburgh.co.uk/
Aberdeen area/Fife
Blackfriars, 52 Castle Street, Aberdeen – Thursday night session 9.30pm, 01224 581922
The Blue Lamp, 121 Gallowgate, Aberdeen, AB25 1BU - Monday session night, 9pm and Folk Club Wednesday night, 8.30pm, 01224 647472 http://www.aberdeenfolkclub.co.uk/index.html
Cellar 35, 31-35 Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen, AB25 1NQ– Wednesday night open mic night, 8.30pm, http://www.nooseandmonkey.com/category/cellar-35/
The Globe Inn, 13-15 North Silver St, Aberdeen, AB10 1RJ – Tuesday night session, 9pm, 01224 624258
Ma Cameron's, Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JG- fortnightly Sunday, http://www.macamerons-aberdeen.co.uk/
Prince of Wales, 7 St. Nicholas Lane, Aberdeen, AB10 1HF - Sunday night session, 8pm, 01224 640 597
The Bar of Newburgh Inn (Briggies),
Main St, Newburgh Aberdeenshire, Acoustic Music Session, First Sunday of the month 8-10pm
The Village Inn, Pitlessie, Fife, Live Music Group meets every 2nd Thursday 8.30 http://www.livemusicgroup.co.uk 01333422119
Glasgow area
Glasgow Burrell Folk Sessions - Pollock Park - last Sunday of the months in 2022 - July 31st, August 28th, September 25th only. Trad/ contemporary from a variety of cultures
Avant Garde, 34 King Street, Glasgow – Sunday session, 7.30pm
Babbity Bowsters, 16-18 Blackfriars Street (in the Merchant City) – Session on a Saturday 4pm-8/9pm, 0141 552 5055
The Ben Nevis, 1147 Argyle Street – Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights, 9pm, 0141 576 5204
Cafe Source, 1 St Andrew's Square, Glasgow, G1 5PP – Singing session on Wednesday evenings as well as regular music sessions, http://www.standrewsinthesquare.com
Clutha Vaults, 167-169 Stockwell Street, Glasgow, G1 4SP – Live folk and acoustic music five nights a week, 0141 552 7520
The Drovers, Inverarnan By Ardlui, North Loch Lomond, G83 7DX – live music at the weekends, 01301 704234, http://www.thedroversinn.co.uk/
Hootenanny, St Enoch Square, Glasgow – Sunday singing session, 2.30pm
Laurie’s Acoustic Music Bar, 34 King Street – Monday session, 8pm, http://www.lauriesacousticmusicbar.co.uk
The Laurieston Bar, 58 Bridge Street, Glasgow – Monday session, 9pm, http://thelauriestonbar.com
The Howwood Inn, Main Street, Howwood, Glasgow, PA9 1BQ – impromptu sessions encouraged, acoustic instruments available to borrow behind the bar, 01505 703119
Òran Mór, Top of Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8QX – Open mic acoustic session every Tuesday night hosted by Ross Clark from Three Blind Wolves, http://oran-mor.co.uk/
The Park Bar, 1202 Argyle St, City Centre, Glasgow G3 8TE (near Kelvingrove Art Gallery) –Highland music sessions Thursday – Sunday, 0141 339 1715
Scotia Bar, 112 Stockwell Street, Glasgow, G1 4LW – Friday session hosted by Frank O'Hagan and a Sunday session from 5pm, 0141 552 8681, http://scotiabar.net/
Sharkey's Bar, Old Rutherglen Road, behind Citizens Theatre - Monday session, 9pm-11pm, 01414293944
Uisge Beatha, 232 Woodlands Road – Thursday, 8.30pm and Sunday, 6.30pm, mixed tunes and singing, http://www.uisgebeathabar.com
The Victoria Bar, 159 Bridgegate / Stockwell St – Sunday session, 8pm as well as impromptu afternoon / evening sessions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
Waxy O'Connors, Dundas Lane Bar, 46 West George Street – Session every Sunday 4pm - 7pm, http://www.waxyoconners.co.uk
Jayz Bar, 87 Kilmarnock Road, Glasgow - Every Sunday 8pm -12pm. Open mic / sessions. www.jayzbar.co.uk 01471 649 8737
Stravaigin, 28 Gibson Street, GlasgowG12 8NX. Every Tuesday from 9pm - hosted by Cameron Grant 0141 334 2665
Perthshire
Black Watch Inn, Bank Street, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2BB – Session Friday night, 8.30pm
Drumtochty Tavern,
Harrietfield, Logiealmond, Perth, PH1 3TD – Session Thursday evening, 7pm, 01738 880315
The Ericht Alehouse, Blairgowrie, PH10 6ND - Session on the 2nd Sunday of the month, 3pm, 01250 872469
The Pitcairngreen Inn, Pitcairngreen, Perth, PH1 3LP - Traditional music sessions - check with them as in abeyance In July 2018. 01738 583 022, http://www.pitcairngreeninn.co.uk/
The Tap Inn, Perth Road, Birnam PH8 0BQ – Open session on Mondays, 8.30pm
Strathearn Artspace, Crieff, Neil Thomsen 07967910388. Once a month on the first Thursday of the month www.strathearnartspace.co.uk/criefffolkclub
Stirling area
The Lade Inn, Kilmahog, Callander – Thursday evening 9pm – 1am, http://www.theladeinn.com/
The Old Rectory Inn, Leny Road, Callander, FK17 8AL – Session every Wednesday, 8.30pm, http://www.theoldrectoryincallander.com/
Tappit Hen, Dunblane – Tuesday evening, 9pm, http://www.thetappithen-dunblane.co.uk/
The Tolbooth - Stirling's live music venue www.tolboothtrad.com Traditional music classes led by Gillian Frame, Innes Watson and others
Shetland
Asta Golf Club House, Asta, Shetland – Informal session 2nd Thursday of the month, 7.30pm, http://www.astagolfclub.com/The_Clubhouse.html
Da Noost, 86 Commercial St, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0EX – Session every Friday, 9pm, 01595693377
Douglas Arms, 67 Commercial Street, Lerwick – Tuesday session, 9pm, 01595693787
The Lounge Bar, 4 Mounthooly Street, Lerwick, Shetland
Orkney
The Bothy Bar, The Albert Hotel, Mounthoolie Lane, Kirkwall– Sunday session, 9pm, 01856 876 000
Ferry Inn, John Street, Stromness, Orkney – Thursday session May – September, 9pm, 01856 850 280, http://www.ferryinn.com
The Wrigley Sisters Centre of Music, The Reel, 3 Castle Street, Kirkwall – Saturday session, 8pm, 01856 871 000, ww.wrigleysisters.com
Scottish Folk Clubs
Aberdeen Folk Club, The Blue Lamp, 121 Gallowgate, Aberdeen, AB25 1BU – Every Wednesday with monthly guests, 8.30pm, 01224 586980, http://www.aberdeenfolkclub.co.uk
Almond Valley Folk Club, The Mid Calder Inn (The Tap Shop, back room), 36 Main Street, Mid Calder, West Lothian, EH53 0AW – Every third Tuesday, 8pm, 01506 873182, http://magjam.webring.com/avfc.html
Falkirk Folk Club, The Tolbooth Tavern, Tolbooth Street, Falkirk, FK1 1NL – Every Thursday, 8pm, http://www.falkirkfolkclub.co.uk
Glenfarg Village Folk Club, Glenfarg Hotel, Glenfarg, Perthshire, PH2 9NU – Every Monday, 8pm, 01334 653592, http://www.glenfargfolkclub.com
Nitten Folk Club, The Dean Tavern, 80 Main Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian, EH22 4NA – Every Thursday, 8.30pm, http://www.nittenfolk.co.uk
Penicuik Folk Club, The Roadhouse Pub, 136 John Street, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 8NJ – Every Tuesday, 8.30pm, http://www.penicuikfolk.org.uk
Rolling Hills Folk Club, The George & Abbotsford Hotel, High Street, Melrose, TD6 9PD – First and third Fridays of the month, 8.30pm, 01896 820340, http://www.rollinghillsfolkclub.org.uk
Stonehouse Folk Club, St. Ninians Church Hall, Vicars Road, Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire – Second and fourth Friday of the month, 8.30pm, 01698 359326, http://www.stonehousefolkclub.co.uk
Stranraer Folk Club, The Swan Inn, Sheuchan Street, Stranraer – Every Wednesday, 8.30pm, 01776 700657
The Almond Valley Folk Club, The Railway Inn, West Calder, West Lothian EH55 8DL- every third Tuesday for gigs and sessions at 8pm. https://magjam.wixsite.com/almondvalleyfolkclub
More sessions and folk clubs
http://www.scottish-folk-music.com/clubs.html
www.tmsa.org.ukwww.tmsa.org.uk
Scottish Accordion and Fiddle Clubs
http://www.boxandfiddle.com/
Workshops and classes
Fun Fiddle is based in Portobello, Edinburgh and offers weekly childrens and adults traditional fiddle classes. http://www.funfiddle.co.uk/
GFW (Glasgow Fiddle Workshop)offers classes teaching a variety of musical instruments and song, mainly through the medium of traditional Scottish music. http://www.glasgowfiddle.org.uk/
Inverness Traditional Music Workshopsrun classes in Accordion, 5 String Banjo, Fiddle, Ceilidh & Social Dance, Guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin, Tin Whistle and Gaelic Song for ages 8 and up. http://highlifehighland.com/arts/tmc
Riddell Fiddles aims to allow anybody to learn the fiddle, by providing inexpensive fun-filled lessons for young and old alike, based in Selkirk. http://www.riddellfiddles.co.uk/index.htm
Riverside Music Project supports family and community learning of traditional music, step dance, ceilidh band and session playing in the Stirling area. http://www.riversidemusicproject.co.uk
Scottish Culture & Traditions (SCaT)works to promote awareness and enjoyment of Scottish culture through music, song and dance by providing a series of classes, workshops and community events such as ceilidhs in the Aberdeen area. http://www.scottishculture.org/
String Circle Fiddle Classruns relaxed lessons focused on improving technique in Edinburgh. http://www.fiddleclass.com/
Tolbooth Traditional Music Workshopsrun by Lori Watson, Innes Watson and Claire Mann. Monday evenings, 8:30pm, term time for young people aged 10 – 18 with at least one year of experience. http://www.stirling.gov.uk/tolbooth
Youth Music Initiative, run byFèisean nan Gàidheal provides Gaelic, music and drama tuition throughout the year for children across Scotland http://www.feisean.org/en/projects/?ID=3
Traditional music short courses
Black Isle Fiddle Weekend-Intensive tuition in a small class setting, top-notch concerts, and informal sessions. http://www.fiddleweekend.co.uk/
Blazin in Beauly– an annual fiddle week run by Blazin Fiddles, offering a unique opportunity to learn from the band and their special guest tutors as well as take part in sessions, concerts, masterclasses and ceilidhs whilst establishing new connections in a stunning part of the country. http://www.blazininbeauly.com/
Fèisean nan Gàidhealprovides opportunities for individuals to come together to develop skills in the Gaelic arts - song, dance, drama, and traditional music on a wide range of instruments in various locations across Scotland. http://www.feisean.org/en/feisean/
Ceòlas, based in South Uist is a music and dance summer school featuring expert tuition in piping, fiddling, singing, Scotch reels and Quadrilles, step dancing and the Gaelic language. http://www.ceolas.co.uk/
Edinburgh Youth Gaitherinprovide year long workshops and classes in traditional music within Edinburgh as well as an annual weekend short course, the Easter Event where young musicians can come together. http://www.eyg.org.uk/
Scots Fiddle Festivalhosts an annual weekend of workshops, talks, concerts, stalls and sessions in Edinburgh. http://www.scotsfiddlefestival.com