UHI North, West and Hebrides has announced its first-ever Traditional Music Residency, taking place from 20–22 March 2026 at Cnoc Soilleir in South Uist.
The residency offers an immersive weekend of traditional music-making, bringing together confident players of fiddle, piping, accordion, and guitar for intensive workshops, informal sessions and shared learning.
The programme is rooted in the landscape, culture, and Gaelic traditions of South Uist, offering participants a unique opportunity to deepen their music skills while drawing inspiration from place.
The residency will be led by a distinguished team of tutors: Allan Henderson, Iain MacDonald, Ewan Robertson, and Pàdruig Morrison, each renowned for their contribution to traditional music performance and education.
Allan Henderson, in particular, has been looking forward to hosting a traditional music residency at Cnoc Soilleir for some time, said:
“As a music lecturer with UHI North, West and Hebrides, I am delighted to see this residency up and running. We are eager to show off our brand-new facilities and where better to have this event than in a community where traditional music is still a living, breathing facet of everyday life?”
Designed for competent instrumentalists aged 16 and over, the residency combines instrument-specific tuition with opportunities for collaboration, listening, and reflection. Alongside structured workshops, participants will be encouraged to engage in informal music-making and to experience island life.
This residency marks an exciting new addition to UHI North, West and Hebrides’ traditional music provision in South Uist, where students can study the HNC Music course at Cnoc Soilleir. The course supports students to develop their performance, creative, and industry skills, and enables students across the region to access high-quality music education.
The event is being organised by Archina Maclellan, Engagement Lead – Uist and Barra at UHI North, West and Hebrides. She said:
“I am really excited about our upcoming event, which has been a year in the making. We can’t wait to welcome musicians to South Uist for an inspiring weekend of traditional music, cultural exploration and island hospitality.
“We have specialist tuition from leading Scottish musicians and the backdrop of one of the Hebrides’ most spectacular landscapes, the residency promises an unforgettable creative experience.”
A special residency rate is available at Uist Travel Accommodation, located just four minutes’ walk from Cnoc Soilleir. For further information and to book tickets for the Uist Music Residency, please visit the Eventbrite page.
For details of all the music courses you can study at UHI North, West and Hebrides:
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