Artist Isla Ratcliff to play in Crieff

Celebrated Scottish artist Isla Ratcliff is set to play in Perthshire later this month.

The musician will be entertaining at Crieff Folk Club on Thursday, April 27 as part of her first ever headline solo tour this spring.

She will showcase material from her debut album The Castalia, as well as singing a selection of new songs featuring Ellen Gira on cello and Iona Reid on piano.

Hailing from Edinburgh, Isla is wellknown on the Scottish music scene as an “extremely versatile composer, arranger, fiddle player and singer”.

Much of her inspiration comes from her love of traditional music, and the powerful sense of community it holds when bringing people of all backgrounds together.

Audiences at Crieff Folk Club can look forward to witnessing Isla’s “impeccable” fiddle playing, as well as hearing her soulful voice.

She said: “The Castalia was a joy to create. I fell in love with the music, culture and people of Cape Breton, and by channelling my time spent there into this record, it makes the whole experience come to life again every time I play it.

“The music on the album is all about bringing people together, and it celebrates the power of music in doing so.

“I can’t wait to perform it to the lovely people of Crieff, and experience that feeling of togetherness and community that only live music can bring.

“I’m excited to be singing on tour too, as well as playing fiddle. I’m really looking forward to performing with Ellen, who features heavily on the album, and Iona, both of whom are fantastic musicians.”

Isla has performed at Celtic Connections, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the BBC Proms. She was also a semi-finalist in the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2022 competition and was nominated for Up and Coming Artist of the Year 2022 at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.