There is a flourishing cultural arts scene on Skye which is widely recognised at national and international levels. The music, vocal traditions and the unique way in which we celebrate, form the foundations of the identity of the Gàidhealtachd. Highland traditional instruments include the pipes, fiddle, whistle, accordion, drums and clarsach, while Gaelic song, storytelling and step dancing are enjoying a limelight revival. Our social events continue to showcase a rich, inclusive local culture while providing opportunities for people to gather together in celebration, often with music, narration, dance, song, drink and food.
Piping
The Isle of Skye has a long history of piping and the importance of this traditional musical genre in the culture of the Island is showcased by a number of prestigious events and competitions. It is not unusual to hear the skirl of the pipes performed by young buskers in the centre of Portree and at some of the main visitor sites around the Island.
The MacDonalds and MacLeods, originally from the Isle of Lewis, brought with them to Skye their hereditary pipers who were highly revered by their clansmen.
Most famous were the MacCrimmons of Dunvegan, pipers to Clan MacLeod, who set up a piping school in Borreraig. The MacCrimmons are said to be the first pipers to compose piobaireachd music for a’ Phìob Mhòr, the Great Highland Bagpipe. The prestigious Silver Chanter competition was held in Dunvegan Castle each year until 2018 when, owing to a shortfall in funding, the National Piping Centre in Glasgow took on the running of the contest. After a spell of competitions in Glasgow, the Silver Chanter was returned to Skye in 2022.
Also famed for its piping history is the Clan MacDonald. The Clan Donald Lands Trust operates from Armadale Castle and was set up to support, encourage and develop all forms of Gaelic culture. The prestigious Piobaireachd competition, the Donald MacDonald Cuach, which began in 1986, saw five pipers from across Scotland compete for the cup each year. The competition moved online in 2021 after the pandemic but has not returned since.
The Skye Pipe Band originated from a group of piping enthusiasts after The Great War who called themselves Comunn Piobaireachd an t’ Eilean Sgitheanach. By the 1920s, the Portree Pipe Band was formed and reformed in 1956 as the Isle of Skye Pipe Band. This multi-award-winning band has a wide repertoire and meets regularly in Portree for practice and, during the summer months, performs every Tuesday in Portree’s Somerled Square. Their current Pipe Major is Alan MacKenzie.
A prestigious two-day piping competition is held each year at the Isle of Skye Highland Games in August.
Music makers from Skye
Scottish traditional music forms the backbone of Skye’s musical culture. Many of the nation’s popular trad artists have appeared on Skye stages in their earlier years and many love to return. For a performer, the small rural stage offers them opportunities to get back to their roots and a chance to move away from the big city venues of thousands to become close to their audiences. For the audience, this is a chance to encounter the big names in the genre performing at a local venue.
The Island’s musical celebrities include the famous piping MacDonald brothers Iain, Allan and Angus. Bands such as Gaelic rock band Runrig; Celtic fusion bands the Peatbog Faeries and Niteworks; Gaelic singers Anne Martin and Arthur Cormack; and Scottish-Electronic duo Valtos all call Skye their home.
Skye Live Festival
With its unique position on An Meall (the Lump) overlooking the Cuillins, Raasay, Trotternish and Portree, the Skye Live Festival takes place every year in May. This popular festival is a three-day-long celebration of music and Island life with an emphasis on Scottish contemporary folk music and electronica.
Blas Festival
Celebrating the music, song, culture and language of the Highlands, the Blas Festival delivers a packed programme of cèilidhs and concerts in venues across the Highlands in September as well as a comprehensive online programme with live-streamed events, workshops and Gaelic song sessions. The festival is organised by Fèisean nan Gàidheal in partnership with the Highland Council.
Live performance
There is a number of wonderful venues around Skye hosting quality live performing arts events in all genres. Scots trad is especially popular on the Islands and visitors will find many pubs and village halls holding regular music sessions throughout the year, especially in the summer months.
From the big stages like the Portree Community Hall with its capacity of 1,000 to Edinbane Hall holding just 50, there is usually something for everyone to be found in the Island’s venues. Most village halls have a programme of events taking place throughout the year.
Below is a list of venues hosting live public performances.
North
An Talla Mòr 1820, Portree — Popular pub and restaurant in Portree building a great reputation for regular live traditional music sessions, concerts and cèilidhs. The 1820 Trad Fest takes place at the end of March.
The Isles Inn, Portree — Live music in the bar throughout the summer season.
Talla Chille Mhoire, Kilvaxter, Trotternish — A lively and welcoming village hall in the heart of Skye’s northern Gaelic community. The hall has a wide programme of public events taking place throughout the year with music, talks, food and cèilidhs.
Edinbane Inn, Edinbane — Music sessions in the bar on most Sunday afternoons between 3pm and 5pm.
Ferry Inn, Uig — Occasional live music events in the bar.
Làs Port Righ — Cinema and theatre with regular performing arts events with national names in music, drama, comedy and literature taking place year-round.
The Old Inn, Carbost — A lovely old inn with a great atmosphere on the shores of Loch Harport hosting lively regular music in the bar by North Skye Music Sessions and others.
Portree Community Centre, Home Farm Road, Portree — The second biggest venue in the Highlands next to Eden Court in Inverness, the Community Centre holds an audience of 1,000; is a popular wedding venue; and provides centre stage for some of the best names in Scottish traditional music.
Skye Gathering Hall, Portree — Built in 1879 as a venue in which to host the Skye Ball at the Annual Gathering and Skye Games in August, the Gathering Hall is widely used by community groups and hosts a few live public events year-round.
Skye Accordion and Fiddle Club, Royal Hotel, Portree — The club meets in the Royal Hotel each week; holds regular music nights featuring professional musicians; and also provides a platform for local players to showcase their abilities.
The Stein Inn, Waternish — On the shore of Loch Bay, Skye’s oldest inn holds various events from music, films, pop-ups and weddings throughout the year in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Tongadale Hotel, Portree — a popular bar in Wentworth Street offering live music on some evenings.
Village halls occasionally hosting events — Braes, Dunvegan, Edinbane, Kilmuir, Minginish, Skeabost, Staffin, Uig, Waternish.
South
Am Praban Bar, Isleornsay — A lively bar adjacent to Hotel Eilean Iarmain hosting regular evenings of live traditional music with local musicians and singers in a friendly cèilidh atmosphere.
An Crùbh — A beautiful events space with stunning views over the Sound of Sleat to the mainland is occasionally used by performing arts promoters to host live events.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Sleat — The National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture has two great stages and is renowned for hosting quality performing arts events year-round. Their short course music tutors during Easter and summer comprise some of the biggest and best names in Scottish traditional music and they perform public concerts normally on a Tuesday night.
Skye Bridge Studios, Kyle of Lochalsh — An arts and learning centre with a small stage hosting residential and day courses, workshops, seminars, exhibitions, performances, presentations and festivals.
Talla Bhreacais, Breakish — A well-loved village hall used by a number of community groups offering everything from live music, Gaelic singing sessions, talks and cèilidh dances.
Talla Lusa, Ashaig — Folk sessions in an intimate setting.
Village halls occasionally hosting events — Breakish, Broadford, Elgol, Kyleakin, Kyle, Tarskavaig.
Promoters
Atlas Arts, Portree — delivers a varied programme of year-round events associated with visual art, including screenings, gatherings, residencies, meals, workshops and sharings.
Skye Chamber Music — Holds regular classical concerts from August to May at venues in and around Portree.
SEALL — is a performing arts promotion organisation hosting a year-round programme of live events in music, theatre, dance and comedy on stages across Skye and Raasay.