BBC Alba will be broadcasting three programmes, broadcasting showings from Celtic Connections including Cuirm aig Celtic | Sian, a special concert marking the release of the band’s second album tomorrow (Saturday 31 January) at 9pm.
The acclaimed Gaelic vocal group includes Eilidh Cormack, Ceitlin Lilidh, Ellen MacDonald, and multi-instrumentalist Innes White. They recently held their sold-out performance at Barony Hall on Thursday 22 January.
Known for their powerful harmonies and contemporary arrangements, the group were accompanied by a host of fellow trad musicians including Alice Allen, Alastair Iain Paterson, Charlie Stewart, James Lindsay, Megan Henderson, Patsy Reid, and Mark Scobie.
The band’s strong island roots are conveyed clearly through their melody and Gaelic singing. With Ceitlin Lilidh and Innes White both being from Lewis, Eilidh Cormack growing up in Skye, and Ellen from Inverness but strongly in touch with her Uist connections, the band bring their wealth of knowledge and inspiration to the stage to celebrate the various genres traditional music can be blended with.
In an interview in December last year, Ceitlin told welovestornoway.com: “We’ve collaborated with lots of musicians not just in Scottish trad which is always great. There’s a really healthy trad fusion theme going on right now as well.”
Their performance brought the crowd to their feet for a standing ovation as they took their final bows on stage.
Alongside Sian’s sell-out performance, BBC Alba will also be broadcasting the live final of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2026, bringing Celtic Connections to a close on Sunday 1 February at 5pm from Glasgow’s City Halls.
Presenter Joy Dunlop will bring the festival’s closing night to audiences across the country in a finale that remains one of the most important platforms for showcasing emerging talent within Scotland’s traditional music scene. Six musicians will compete for the winning prize, including Calum MacGregor, Craig Harrison, Ewen Rorie, Gregor Niven, Iona Fyfe and Rachel Groves.
BBC ALBA also holds celebrations to highlight 25 years of new Gaelic songwriting with Cuirm aig Celtic | Òran Ùr on Saturday 14 February at 9pm. Presented once again by Joy Dunlop, this concert marks the culmination of BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s year-long Òran Ùr project, which has championed newly written Gaelic songs since the turn of the century. Brought together by Gillebrìde MacMillan, the programme includes leading Gaelic singers, with featured guests including Rachel Walker, Kathleen MacInnes, Iain ‘Costello’ MacIver, Kim Carnie, Karen Matheson, Mairi MacMillan, Seonaidh MacIntyre, Mairi MacInnes, Isobel Ann Martin and Ewen Henderson, alongside some surprise guests.
Calum McConnell, Executive Producer at BBC ALBA, said: “Celtic Connections is a key moment in Scotland’s cultural calendar and bringing these concerts to screen allows us to share that experience with audiences at home. It’s fantastic to see these performances captured so beautifully for broadcast, allowing viewers to enjoy the outstanding talent that appears on its stages each year.”
Celtic Connection Creative Director, Donald Shaw, said: “Through BBC ALBA, audiences will be able to enjoy a wide range of unique and incredible performances from across the festival, bringing together artists who have been part of Celtic Connections for many years alongside those appearing for the very first time. We’re immensely grateful to the team at BBC ALBA for their ongoing support. Our partnership with BBC ALBA is a valued part of Celtic Connections, and we’re delighted to be continuing it again this year.”
