Speyfest has announced the first artists for its 2026 bill. The lineup includes Northern Ireland’s The Tumbling Paddies, Scotland’s Karen Matheson, Astro Bloc, and Dallahan.
The 29th edition runs Friday 24–Sunday 26 July 2026 in Fochabers, Moray, near Elgin in northern Scotland.
Speyfest Chair Ashleigh Macgregor shared: “Speyfest is all about bringing the very best in traditional music to this part of the world, so we’re delighted to have three outstanding acts make their debut performance next year. It’s incredibly important to us that we showcase new sounds in the area and champion the variety of world-class music on the scene today, so it’s only fitting that we are bringing trad music royalty to Speyside next summer. Music fans of all ages come to Speyfest and the 2026 line up will once again speak to the multi-generational appeal of this long-standing event. The festival is a year in the making, and it is great to be able to unveil the first of our plans for the summer as our community-driven festival continues to go from strength to strength.”
Beyond the headline acts, the 2026 program includes 30 performances across two stages, plus song and instrument workshops, crafts, a fun run, pub sessions, activities for children, yoga, and other community events.
Earlier this summer, the festival recorded attendance of 4,500 over three days, drawing visitors from Scotland, England, Sweden, Germany, and the United States. The local playing fields were transformed into a tented village for the weekend.
James M Alexander founded Speyfest in 1995. He had performed with the Fochabers Fiddlers and other Scottish traditional bands and identified Fochabers as a strong setting for a summer showcase of traditional music, dance, and crafts. The festival was conceived to give young musicians opportunities to meet and learn from leading performers visiting the area, with early support from the Fochabers Gala Committee, fellow musicians, the headteacher and pupils of Milne’s High School, and others.
Speyfest welcomes families and audiences of all ages. Supporters include private and public backers such as the Christie family and The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
More information: speyfest.com.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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