Fèis an Tairbeirt guitar tutor Calum McIlroy has reached the final of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition with a set that included guitar, mandolin and voice.
The 26-year-old, who is from Aberdeenshire, has been tutoring youngsters at the fèis for a number of years.
He has also composed chords to accompany traditional music and songs in Fèis an Tairbeirt’s recently relaunched song book Ceòl Erra-Gháidheil.
A spokesperson for Fèis an Tarbert said: “Fèis an Tarbert are delighted and wish to congratulate our guitar tutor, Calum McIlroy who has reached the final of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition.
“We wish Calum every success at the final of the competition.”
Twelve musicians performed for a jury at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay headquarters, and six were selected to go through to the final, which will take place on February 4, 2024, in Glasgow’s City Halls as part of the Celtic Connections Festival.
Calum told the BBC website: “The thing I like most about traditional music is the social bonds you are able to form almost immediately with other musicians, and I don’t think that can be found in other types of music.
“I have been very fortunate over the last few years to have the opportunity to play with a wide variety of musicians.
“I first learned about traditional music in my school ceilidh band in Aberdeenshire, and after I left school, I went on to play with the North East Folk Collective and took part in the Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail in 2016/2017.
“After finishing my diploma in music in Aberdeen, I moved to Glasgow to study on the BMus Traditional Music Course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
“There, I was tutored in guitar by Kevin MacKenzie, Jenn Butterworth, Innes Watson, and Ali Hutton; and in Scots song by Rod Paterson and Fiona Hunter.
“Since graduating, I have been very busy tutoring through various organisations, such as Fèisean nan Gàidheal and Falkirk Traditional Music Project.”