Thursday May 7th 2026
Fara's performance (photography by Douglas Robertson)
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A weekend of the traditional music, storytelling and film is on offer in Edinburgh as the final weekend of Tradfest begins.
Running until Monday 11th, the festival has been showcasing the best of the traditional arts since it’s launched in 2013.
Now, offering an ‘unmissable’ weekend as the 2026 Tradfest comes to a close, the final weekend starts today with Swedish folk trio Northern Resonance performing at the Traverse Theatre.
This is followed by internationally acclaimed saxophonist Brian Molley and his quartet (Tom Gibbs-piano, David Bowden-bass, Stephen Henderson-drums) sharing tunes from their recently released album Tùs/Origin which loosely follows an 18th century journey from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, all the way to Louisiana, and features a mix of traditional folk, Afro-Caribbean Grooves, Gospel, Sea-Shanties and Fugue.
Continuing into the weekend, on Friday night The Nexus Project led by piper Bede Patterson launch their new album Glaisvair which unites different musical voices from around the world. Plus, headliners RANT (Anna Massie, Lauren MacColl, Bethany Reid, Gillian Frame) who areat the forefront of the Scottish fiddle scene, share powerful melodies and some favourite tunes from their new album, that celebrates a decade of them performing together.
The trad tunes continue over the weekend with Isla Ratcliff’s reinterpretation of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons released last year to mark the 300th anniversary of the work’s original publication; multi-award-winning harp and percussion duo Eleanor Dunsdon and Gregor Black; and live-looping artist GANNA Gryniva performing tracks from her new album UTOPIA which mixes Ukrainian folk tunes, with Peruvian grooves, jazz- tinged arrangements, and electronic soundscapes.
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “Don’t miss the final weekend of this year’s festival, there are some amazing bands coming up, and fantastic films and storytelling events still to come. Shows are selling out and the 5 star reviews are rolling in. The buzz around the ETF venues is palpable, come and be part of it.”
Other weekend highlights include:
– Folk legend Dick Gaughan in conversation with Dr Lori Watson from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Celtic and Scottish Studies. (This talk is currently sold out but will be streamed online.)
– The Cold Heart by storyteller Franziska Droll and musician Greg Harradine which explores the terrible cost that comes with the desire for wealth and belonging. (Storytelling Centre)
– A jam-packed Living Heritage Discovery Day which will include a talk with Michael Fortune, Ireland’s folklore aficionado, to discuss approaches to Intangible Cultural Heritage (Living Heritage) and tradition-bearing. On the day there will also be a Living Heritage Fayre, Come and Try Sessions, and a traditional ‘house cèilidh’. (Storytelling Centre – Sun 10 May)
– The Folk Film Gathering’s screening of Jack Archers’ Sailm nan Daoine (Psalms of the People) fresh from its recent success at the Glasgow Film Festival, which follow’s psalm precentor Rob MacNeacail’s journey across Scotland and Ireland, to bring together communities old and new through the power of Gaelic psalm singing. (Cameo Cinema)
– A rousing performance by Edinburgh’s Ukrainian Choir who will perform live ahead of a rare screening of 1954 Ukrainian classic cinematic folk tale Andriesh. (Cameo Cinema)
– And, finally Scotland’s original folk supergroup Session A9, will close the festival with great tunes and top banter on Monday night.
Edinburgh Tradfest runs until Monday 11 May. For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com .
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