Meet the Fèis Thatha Tutors 2025

Accordionist John Somerville has worked with many acts from the Scottish folk and roots scene including being a founding member of Treacherous Orchestra, Croft No Five, Box Club, Babelfish and the Cask Strength Ceilidh band. He has gained a reputation for pushing the boundaries of folk whilst remaining true to his native Highland roots. Hailing from Abriachan on the shores of Loch Ness, John’s playing has drawn influences from far and wide - from Highland and West coast music through to Border and Piping traditions, Ceilidh music, European Folk and Electronic Dance music. He now lives in Glasgow where he is in demand as a teacher, performer, arranger and composer.

Signy Jakobsdottir has over thirty years of experience. Recording and performing credits include work with Capercaillie, Donald Shaw, Michael McGoldrick, Patsy Reid and Josie Duncan. She plays a broad range of instruments from congas to cajon, darbukka to drum kit and uses bells, gongs and unusual percussion instruments to create atmosphere, texture and a unique sound. Class with Signy usually includes rhythm warm-ups using drumsticks and learning accents inside of different grooves, using percussion to create atmosphere and texture and building short pieces together.

Holli Scott is a versatile fiddler originally from Dunoon, where she first learnt to play at the age of 9. As a teenager, she honed her musical skills by participating in the Fèis Latharna and Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trails, where she became immersed in the lively Scottish traditional music scene. Holli’s playing blends her West-Coast roots with contemporary styles, creating a distinctive sound. Currently based in Glasgow, she now works as a performing musician and tutor, playing with various ceilidh bands and with her duo, ‘Rachel and Holli’. She also regularly plays with Indie-Folk band, ‘Waverley’. Her teaching style is focused on learning by ear to inspire confidence, enthusiasm and encourage students to discover their own unique sound.

More information coming soon.

Emma started learning the clarsach in primary school and went on to study music at university. After travelling around the world with a tiny clarsach, she returned to the Highlands and currently lives in Kingussie with her young family. She regularly teaches for Fèis Spè, Fèis Rois, the Clarsach Society and the Cromarty Arts Trust and performs all over Scotland. Emma loves sharing the experience of playing and experimenting on the clarsach with people of all ages.

Ruairidh Iain Buxton is a musician and Gàidhlig speaker. He grew up surrounded by Scottish traditional music and Gàidhlig culture. Hailing from the Coigach peninsula in the north west coast of Scotland. He plays a variety of bagpipes, flutes and whistles. Ruairidh currently plays with the West Coast trad band Ceol an Aire and Rhuvaal. He is graduate from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is a semi-finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2026 competition.

Craig is from Co. Clare, Ireland and is heavily influenced by Irish, and particularly Clare fiddle styles. Craig has lived in Scotland for the last eight years, and works as a musician in Glasgow. He plays with the trio Ape House, who won a Danny Kyle award in 2022 and will soon be releasing their debut album. He is a regular on the ceilidh and session circuits, and he is also an experienced fiddle teacher. Craig is passionate about arrangement, ornamentation, and the cultural history of traditional music. Craig is a semi-finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2026 competition.

Calum Maclean is an Aberfeldy-based broadcaster. He has a great interest in nature and connecting people to the depth of Gaelic history and culture connected with the outdoors. Calum grew up speaking Gaelic and regularly appears on BBC ALBA, where he is one of the main presenters on the SpeakGaelic series.

More information coming soon.

More information coming soon.

Carrie Forbes is a Gaelic Singer, Music Tutor and Voice Over Artist based in Tain. Carrie works with lots of different Fèis groups, teaching traditional Scottish music to early years and primary children. She is really looking forward to working with the Fèis Bheag children at Fèis Thatha again!

Sandra Mackay is a Gaelic speaker brought up on the Isle of Lewis and has sung Gaelic songs for as long as she can remember. Her career as a singer began with the band Tannas, and with them she recorded 3 CDs which she toured all over Europe, Sandra gave up touring after having her children and is now in demand as a Gaelic song tutor. She works with Fèis Spè, as well as many other Fèisean and festivals. She also teaches YMI at schools throughout the country.