Support for Scottish Traditional Music

A new National Performing Company will be set up to champion Scotland’s traditional music sector.

A public consultation has now been launched seeking views on how such a flagship organisation will raise the profile of Scottish folk music around the world.

Early feedback is being sought from the traditional music community and wider audiences to understand priorities for future support of the sector and what a national performing company might look like.

First Minister John Swinney held a reception for the trad music sector at Bute House this week and attended the Sound of Scotland folk music showcase at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall. The Scottish Government has also launched an online survey to gather views and Culture Secretary Mairi McAllan will chair a roundtable with leaders in trad music.

A National Performing Company for traditional music will be the sixth to be formed in Scotland, joining the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

The First Minister said:

“Traditional Scottish music has a unique, rich sound reflecting our history and regional diversity. It connects our past to our present and is loved across Scotland and around the world.

“That is why I pledged that in the first 100 days of this government we would make progress on forming a National Performing Company to protect the legacy of trad music and help it to thrive. Giving it the same platform to other performing arts will support established and emerging talents to grow.

“If you are a local performer, group or organisation from anywhere in Scotland, please let us know how this can work best for you, representing and supporting traditional music.”

Background

According to a VisitScotland survey in 2024, almost four in five Scots (79%) said Scottish traditional music gave them a sense of cultural connection, while 88% believed it is important that it is preserved for future generations. Music businesses in Scotland reported a turnover of £27.4 million in 2023.

The consultation on a National Performing Company for Traditional Music is available to complete online.

Taic do Cheòl Traidiseanta na h-Alba Chaidh na h-ath cheumannan fhoillseachadh airson Companaidh Taisbeantais Nàiseanta a stèidheachadh.

Thèid Companaidh Taisbeantais Nàiseanta ùr a stèidheachadh airson roinn ceòl traidiseanta na h-Alba a bhrosnachadh.

Tha co-chomhairleachadh poblach ga chumail an-dràsta, ’s e a’ sireadh bheachdan air mar a dh’adhartaicheas companaidh shuaicheanta dhen t-seòrsa seo ìomhaigh ceòl traidiseanta na h-Alba air feadh an t-saoghail.

Thathar a’ sireadh bheachdan ro làimh bho choimhearsnachd a’ chiùil thraidiseanta, agus bho luchd-amais san fharsaingeachd, airson tuigsinn gu dè seòrsa phrìomhachasan a th’ ann gus taic a chumail ris an roinn san àm ri teachd, agus cò ris a dh’fhaodadh companaidh taisbeantais nàiseanta a bhith coltach.

Chùm am Prìomh Mhinistear John Swinney cuirm do roinn a’ chiùil thraidiseanta aig Taigh Bhòid an t-seachdain seo, agus bha e an làthair aig The Sound of Scotland, taisbeanadh ciùil thraidiseanta aig Talla na Banrighinn ann an Dùn Èideann. Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba cuideachd air suirbhidh fhosgladh air-loidhne airson beachdan a thrusadh, agus cumaidh Rùnaire a’ Chultair Màiri NicAilein coinneamh còmhla ri prìomh luchd-riochdachaidh ciùil thraidiseanta.

Bidh Companaidh Taisbeantais Nàiseanta airson ceòl traidiseanta na siathamh companaidh dhe a leithid ann an Alba, às dèidh stèidheachadh Taigh-cluiche Nàiseanta na h-Alba, Opara na h-Alba, Ballet na h-Alba, Orcastra Nàiseanta Rìoghail na h-Alba, agus Orcastra Seòmar na h-Alba.

Thuirt am Prìomh Mhinistear na leanas:

“Aig cridhe ceòl traidiseanta na h-Alba, tha fuaim shònraichte, bheairteach anns an cluinnear eachdraidh agus diofaran roinneil ar dùthcha. Tha an ceòl a’ ceangal ar n-ama a dh’fhalbh ris an latha an-diugh, le meas mòr, mòr air aig daoine thar Alba agus tron t-saoghal air fad.

“Sin as adhbhar gun do gheall mi gun dèanamaid adhartas, taobh a-staigh 100 latha bho chruthachadh an riaghaltais seo, air stèidheachadh Companaidh Taisbeantais Nàiseanta leis an gabhadh dìleab ciùil thraidiseanta a dhìon agus taic a chumail ri fàs na roinne. Ma bhios i cho faicsinneach ’s a tha na h-ealain thaisbeanail eile, cumaidh seo taic ri soirbheas nan tàlantan stèidhichte is ùra againn.

“Ma tha thu nad neach-taisbeantais, buidheann no companaidh bho àite sam bith ann an Alba, nach innis thu dhuinn mar a ghabhas seo a chur air dòigh san dòigh as fheàrr dhut, airson ceòl traidiseanta a riochdachadh ’s a chuideachadh.”

Cùl-fhiosrachadh

A rèir suirbhidh le VisitScotland ann an 2024, thuirt faisg air ceathrar às gach còignear ann an Alba (79%) gun tug ceòl traidiseanta na h-Alba seòrsa de bhuntanas cultarail dhaibh, agus bha 88% de dhaoine dhen bharail gu bheil e cudromach ceòl traidiseanta a ghlèidheadh do ghinealaichean ri teachd. Dh’innis gnìomhachasan ciùil ann an Alba gun do rinn iad tionndadh-airgid de £27.4 millean ann an 2023.

Faodar pàirt a ghabhail sa cho-chomhairleachadh air Companaidh Taisbeantais Nàiseanta airson Ceòl Traidiseanta air-loidhne.