Spring concerts near you

Sarah McQuaid

Sunday 17th May 2026

Rosehall Village Hall, 7 pm

Sarah McQuaid’s lush, velvety voice combines with her engaging personality and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience. Her live performances are full of warmth, wit, and intimacy, and have earned her loyal followings on both sides of the Atlantic. Tickets at the door or to book, please get in touch by email. BYOB and raffle.

Calum Stewart / Sophie Stephenson / Luc McNally

Tuesday 19th May 2026

Dornoch Cathedral 7-8pm

Internationally acclaimed Uilleann Piper and Flautist Calum Stewart is known for his powerful, expressive playing style and lyrical compositions. Joined by Luc McNally (bouzouki), a formidable force in the Scottish traditional music scene, and percussive Scottish Step Dancer Sophie Stephenson, the trio creates a vibrant, dynamic performance blending music and dance. Their repertoire draws from Calum’s albums True North (2023) and Tales from the North (2017), weaving together traditional tunes and original compositions inspired by the landscape and heritage of the North of Scotland. Sophie’s rhythmic footwork adds a striking visual and percussive element, creating a captivating, high-energy show, inter-woven with emotive, slower pieces and spoken-word.

Tickets available here.

Blind Lighthouse: Highland Album Launch Party

Saturday 23rd May 2026

Ardgay Public Hall, 7pm - late

Blind Lighthouse are a Scottish Highlander and an American Southerner bringing together distinct accents and melodies. They are planning a big old celebration in Ardgay! Live performance of the new album, Q&As and a BYOB after party. Tickets are free but you must reserve your spot here

A Taste of Eastern Europe in Ross-shire: Budapest Café Orchestra

Friday 5th June 2026

The Duthac Centre, Tain, 7:30pm

The St Duthac Arts and Book Festival is delighted to be hosting The Budapest Café Orchestra to Tain for the first time ever on 5th of June. Known as an eclectic group, the 4-piece perform gypsy & folk-flavoured music from all around the world, including traditional Balkan, Russian, Hungarian and Romanian with jazz nuances. Tickets are £20 each and include either a glass of wine or a soft drink and can be booked here.

The Budapest Café Orchestra comprise:

Christian Garrick (violin, darabuka) One of the world's most celebrated jazz violinists. He is a busy studio session musician with wealth of movie soundtracks to his name such as Les Miserables, Borat, The Imaginarium of Dr Parnasus, Chocolat, Brideshead Revisited, La Vie En Rose, Chicago, Big Fish, An Ideal Husband, Final Portrait and Tomorrow Never Dies. He plays the solo violin voice to the popular BBC Poldark television series and is a regular guest soloist on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing. Christian has played with favourite artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Nigel Kennedy, Bireli Lagrene, Dolly Parton, All About Eve, Duffy, Van Morrison, Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth. He plays violins by John Dilworth and a Neolin by Bodo Vosshenrich.

Eddie Hession (button accordion) Accordionist exemplar Eddie Hession is a former British accordion champion and runner-up in the World championships. In his illustrious career he has accompanied Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Chris Rea.

Kelvin Cantlon (double bass) Kelly is an original & founding member of the BCO. He found early fame as a Vagabond with northern soul sensations Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. In those early rock n roll years he played opposite all the greats from Queen to David Bowie. Later Kelly joined Johnny Wakelin's band appearing all over Europe with the hits 'In Zaire' and 'Black Superman'.

Adrian Zolotuhin (saz, guitar, balalaika, domra) He is a regular collaborator with composer Howard Moody and his orchestra La Folia, and appears on the soundtracks of films & TV dramas including The Silver Skates, The Lost Prince, Our Kind of Traitor and Kursk. At home in Hampshire he operates the formidable Imperial Balalaika Orchestra of Overton made up of the local budding youth playing dozens of instruments from his Russian family's vast collection.