Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?

Subject: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: GUEST,celticblues5
Date: 21 Jan 26 - 03:00 PM

Hi, all -

I keep getting a 500 error msg when I try to search for this topic on the Forum, so sorry if this query is a repeat of one previously covered.

Dream trip to Scotland at the end of March. :-)

Definitely want to spend an evening or two enjoying trad music.
Would appreciate recommendations (pubs or other venues) for these places:

Edinburgh
Glasgow
Inverness

(Coming in through Manchester, and of course will be visiting other locations in Scotland, but the above are most likely to coincide with evening opportunities.)

Recommendations of local bands to keep an eye out for also welcome. Most interested in song-heavy groups (though I much appreciate Albannach!). All-time favorite: Jock Tamson's Bairns --- so would love to discover similar groups.

Thanks!!!

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jan 26 - 03:33 PM

Hi - our most prominent search engine doesn't work, but we have plenty of others. The easiest to use is the Filter, which is at the top of the list of threads. Put a keyword in the box and set the age to "all," and it will search by thread title. Using scot as a keyword will find a lot. Using search as a keyword will lead you to instructions for the other search methods.

I've been on three tours of Scotland with Jim and Susie Malcolm, and I've really enjoyed them. The best in lodgings and meals, a concert every night from various well-known singers, all kinds of wonderful adventures, and singing on the bus all the time.

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 22 Jan 26 - 04:51 AM

Look at the Edinburgh Trad Music and Session Hub on FB - their Featured tab has a Google Doc spreadsheet (don't post there until you've found and it) and the Gig Guide monthly newsletter complements that for other types of gig. Finding out what's on in Glasgow is a lot more difficult but there is a lot on there too.

Dunno about Inverness. Dunfermline FC meets on Wednesdays and things happen in Falkirk, Stirling and Aberdeen.

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 22 Jan 26 - 10:14 AM

Inverness has folk/Scottish/Celtic music every night, depending on your taste.   Macgregor's Bar, The Highlander, Hootenanny's, The Gellions, Market Bar, An Seomar.    Some venues get so busy at nights it becomes a trial to get a seat or get near the bar.   It's often better to find one of the more obscure places..or an off peak time.. as the teenager-twenties bar crowds can be a bit much.   The Celtic music scene is quite vibrant. Macgregor's and Hootenanny's do sessions of sorts.

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 22 Jan 26 - 06:48 PM

Sorry, no personal recommendations but do check

the 'Scotland' pin on
UK Folk Links
https://ukfolklinks.wordpress.com

The 'Folk CLUB Map'
https://folkclubmapuk.wordpress.com

Chris Rust's 'Folk MUSIC Map'
https://folkmusicmap.wordpress.com

'TheSession'
- primarily instrumental sessions
https://thesession.org/sessions

---

After you've neen it'd be interesting to know how the suggestions from mudcat compare to what google\AI throws up these days. ;)

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: GUEST,Lang Johnnie Mor
Date: 23 Jan 26 - 10:21 AM

Bruce McGregor's bar in Inverness has an excellent session on Sunday afternoons between 4.00pm and 7.00pm. Good beer and whisky selection, and the food is very good as well. It's quite a small bar space, and very popular, so get there early for a seat. Mainly instrumental to a high standard, but the odd song would undoubtedly be welcomed.
Speaking from personal experience of a couple of visits last year.
If you are in Edinburgh between 27 - 29 March, the Edinburgh "FluteFling" takes place that weekend including a concert of music played on flutes and whistles by tutors Claire Mann, Tina Jordan Rees, and special guest visiting from Ireland, flute maker, performer, and occasionally singer, "Hammy" Hamilton. Evening of Friday 27th.
Still in Edinburgh, there is a very high quality afternoon session in the Waverley bar on Sunday afternoons. 3pm to 6pm, which although mainly instrumental often has some excellent singers in attendance.
Again, speaking from personal experience from last year.
Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 23 Jan 26 - 06:24 PM

Quite sad to read about mostly instrumental sessions around the country. When I was a lad we sang. I recall when incessant competitive fiddlers drove singing out of the Old Scotia Bar in Glasgow.

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: Johnny J
Date: 23 Jan 26 - 07:02 PM

I recall when a band of singers entered The Black (or was it The White) Swan in Kelso during the Both Sides of The Tweed fetsival circa 2000 and drove out the musicians. They seemed determined to make a point.

Anyway, let's not start the musicians v singers thing again.

When in Inverness, you could try visiting Ardersier Folk Club. It's a very friendly wee club with a good mix of songs and tunes although they have guest nights too.

There's plenty of traditional music in the Inverness pubs but it's just stuff laid on for the tourists and local pub crawlers.. Mostly very commercial and light weight although there are actually some good musicians involved. They just don't get the opportunity to do themselves justice.

"Macgregor's and Hootenanny's do sessions of sorts."

Again, good quality musicians but often "fast and furious" with many more participants than seats at times. Generally, better music than the pub entertainment though.
There's plenty of music in town but more relaxed and/or smaller sessions are harder to find these days.

They have a monthly session in Encore une Fois on a Friday(I'm not sure which one) which is very good and less hectic than the others. It's purpose is to raise money for the local food bank.

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: GUEST,celticblues5
Date: 24 Jan 26 - 02:32 AM

Wow, thanks for all of the input, everyone! A wealth of info! :-)

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 24 Jan 26 - 12:02 PM

^^

A Tune For The Foodbank
instrumental session
but
"All genres of music welcome as well as singers"
* fortnightly on Friday
2026 from January 30th
www.facebook.com/groups/898809853528211


[was Sun to Dec 2022]
_______
Encore
5 Young St, Inverness IV3 5BL
www.encoreinverness.com
[phone]
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XSSn1ZMFninVH6Ev9

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: Johnny J
Date: 25 Jan 26 - 07:02 AM

Thanks, Freddy.

I wasn't sure if it was fortnightly or monthly. It's best to confirm the dates though before going along as sometimes there are changes.

It's a nice session. Not over hectic but a good standard of musicians and singers.

They have other things in McGregors too, however, and there may be the possibility of more relaxed sessions there too from time to time.
Hoots Sunday session is welcoming too but can get busy.

Some of the quieter and more outlying bars may not be averse to you starting something off yourself and that used to be the case. Less so, these days, I'd suspect.

You could also visit nearby towns. They have a monthly Friday session in Cromarty(Arms) and a couple in Nairn (Havelock on a Friday, Community Centre on Wednesday). I already mentioned the Ardersier Folk Club.

Also, you can just take the general pub entertainment in your stride. It's good enough music and fun in its own way.

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: GUEST,Lang Johnnie Mor
Date: 25 Jan 26 - 12:44 PM

This might be what you are looking for - Broughty Ferry is just outside Dundee :

SPRING SING - 27th/28th/29th March 2026

Barnhill Bowling Club, 24 Collingwood St, Broughty Ferry DD5 2UE

Our unaccompanied singing event is happening a bit earlier in 2026, so that we don’t clash with Easter (or the bowling season). Let’s hope the spring weather comes early too. Please put the dates in your diary, and make your payment soon to secure a place. This is our 3rd year, and the previous 2 events have been in high demand. Places are limited due to the size of the venue. Guests in 2026 are Ken & Chris Wilson (Teesside), Shona Donaldson (Huntly) & Steve Byrne (Arbroath).

For the bargain price of £65 you will get unlimited tea/coffee & biscuits all weekend, Friday singaround 2000-2300, Saturday 1000-2300 (also with lunch, evening meal and concert), and Sunday singaround 1000-1300. There’s a bar of course. For help, information and to reserve your place and get how-to-pay details, email: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jan 26 - 06:18 AM

Since we've got as far as Broughty Ferry - isn't the Foundry Bar session in Arbroath still going?

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: Johnny J
Date: 29 Jan 26 - 09:38 AM

Permanently closed, as far as I'm aware.

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: GUEST,Rob mad jock Wright
Date: 02 Feb 26 - 06:02 PM

In Edinburgh there is a great list of venues to chose from , all different. Pick up local info sheet for when you arrive.
The Royal Oak , Infirmary st,
The Captains bar, just up the road from it,
The legendary Sandy Bells.

Perth area has a few good spots for music of all genres, the Twa Tams on Scott Street.
The earn hotel in bridge of earn, and the Tipsy Coo are possibilities.
Check Facebook for info.

McGregors in Inverness on a Sunday.

Subject: RE: Venue recommendations for Scotland trip?
From: GUEST,Rob mad jock wright
Date: 02 Feb 26 - 06:05 PM

As for bands ..
The list is endless…
Mad Ferret,
Breabach,
Blazing fiddles
Anna Massie