Edinburgh Tradfest: #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay

World Play A Strathspey Day returns for its third annual concert on Saturday 2 May 2026.

This celebration of one of Scotland's most distinctive musical forms invites musicians from around the world to make a recording of themselves playing or singing a strathspey and upload it to social media with the hashtag #worldplayastrathspeyday. It's a brilliant day of music across social media!

This year's gig at Edinburgh Tradfest features some of Scotland’s most exciting tune players. They are: Eilidh Shaw, Dylan Cairns , Sam Mabbett and Angus Lyon. Audiences can expect a great range of strathspeys and other Scottish tunes showcasing the depth and variety of this beloved tradition.

Eilidh Shaw (fiddle)

Eilidh Shaw is a fiddle player and singer from Taynuilt, Argyll, known for her beautifully wild West Highland style. She has been a central figure in the Scottish traditional music scene for over 30 years.

Eilidh joined legendary acid croft band Shooglenifty as their fiddler in 2018, succeeding the late Angus R. Grant. She is also a long-standing member of pioneering folk act The Poozies, and was a founding member of influential cult folk explosion group Harem Scarem in the 2000s. In the 1990s and 2000s, she played in Keep it Up with Simon Thoumire, Kevin Mackenzie and Malcolm Stitt, making two albums with the band.

Her debut solo album Heepirumbo (1997), recorded with guitarist Ian Carr, is widely considered a classic of the genre. She frequently performs and records with her partner, guitarist Ross Martin, with whom she has released two duo albums: Birl-esque (2017) and Stay Here All Night (2025), the latter produced in their home studio in Morar during lockdown. Taught by the renowned fiddler Aonghas Grant, Eilidh continues to be one of Scotland's most distinctive and influential traditional musicians.

Dylan Cairns (fiddle)

Dylan Cairns is a traditional fiddler, guitarist and hurdy-gurdy player based in Glasgow. Along with his current projects The Capstan Quartet and 3ManJob, he has performed across Europe with a number of acts including Dallahan, Iona Fyfe, Sketch, and his duo with Sam Mabbett. His playing has been described as 'melodic wonder' by Graham Rorie of Gnoss.

In 2021, Dylan co-founded the Folks' Music Project CIC with Neil Wood, providing low-cost traditional music education to children and adults in the greater Glasgow area. The project has seen success in building new traditional music communities in Neilston and Barrhead and was nominated for Community Project of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2022. Through his performing, teaching and community work, Dylan continues to champion accessible traditional music across Scotland.

Sam Mabbett (accordion)

Sam Mabbett is an accordionist from Oxford who has lived in Glasgow for seven years. He was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award in 2023, where he served as an ambassador for the diatonic accordion.

Sam's musical journey began in English traditional folk music and dance through his parents' involvement in the scene. He spent summer holidays at folk festivals, teaching himself melodeon at age eight and playing for Morris dancing. He joined the National Youth Folklore Troupe of Englandat ten, gaining valuable performance experience, and his annual visits to Folkworks in Durham exposed him to the Northern English and Celtic styles that remain central to his passion. His influences include piano accordionists Sem Seabourne, Karen Tweed and Andrew Waite, as well as diatonic players like Dave Munnelly and Jos Kelly. A career highlight came when he played with The Canny Bandat the BBC Na Trads. Sam is a member of Blazin' Fiddles and continues to tour, collaborate and compose music.

Angus Lyon (piano)

Angus Lyon is a musician, producer and composer based in Scotland. He is a member of Blazin' Fiddles and The Halton Quartet, and has recorded and performed alongside Yusuf Islam(Cat Stevens), Paul McCartney, Bobby McFerrin, Craig Armstrong, Blue Rose Code, Eliza Carthy, Matt Costa and Bella Hardy.

Through his brilliant duo with fiddler Ruaridh Campbell, his work with the marvellously pigeonhole-resistant Halton Quartet, and his achievements as producer on myriad recordings, Angus is one of the traditional music scene's most creative talents. Currently recording and producing music from his studio, Gran's House, he reveals a skill for smartly turned melody, effortlessly blending banjo, vibraphone, fiddle and saxophone with a penchant for jazz fusion and a weakness for party soul-funk. His work demonstrates a rare ability to move seamlessly between traditional music and contemporary experimentation, creating soundscapes that are both innovative and deeply rooted in musical tradition.

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