Global appeal for fiddle week as event gears up for return

SHETLAND Fiddle Week is preparing to return for a second year in August, with people set to travel from across the world to attend.

The five-day music school will be based in Lerwick over 4-8 August, with Lois Nicol, Kirsten Hendry and Alison Anderson among the tutors, as well as guitarist Robbie Leask.

Award-winning Shetland fiddler Jenna Reid, one of the organisers of Fiddle Week, will lead an all-student ensemble class preparing students for a performance at the end of the week.

An increased demand for student places has led to an early sell out of student packages, with 62 enrolled for the full week. Almost a third are travelling from abroad, including Australia, India, Canada, United States, and Switzerland.

Workshop venues include Shetland Museum and Archives, Islesburgh Community Centre and Scalloway Youth and Community Centre.

Lerwick Boating Club will host evening sessions across the week, with local musicians welcome.

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Local audiences meanwhile are invited to join the celebrations at two public concerts in Lerwick and Aith.

Lerwick’s ‘Big Kirk’ will also host an acoustic concert on Wednesday 6 August including performances from tutors, Shetland’s 2025 Young Fiddler of the Year Ami Grains and Shetland’s Heritage Fiddlers.

The week will close with a finale concert and dance on Friday night at Aith Public Hall.

The evening promises energetic performances from bands Filsket and CRAC (Callum Watt, Ryan Couper, Adam Johnson and Callum Nicolson), with Shetland Fiddle Week students and fiddler Iain Williamson also performing.

The night will finish with a traditional dance led by the Peter Wood Band.

Shetland Fiddle Week organisers Jenna Reid and Lynda Anderson said: “We’re overwhelmed with the response to our second year and can’t wait to welcome everyone.

“Our aim is to create opportunities for players of all levels to experience the joy of Shetland fiddle music firsthand. It’s about sharing tunes, stories, and laughter – keeping our musical legacy alive and thriving.

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“Connecting students with the wider community through concerts and sessions is key – giving them a chance to hear, meet and play with local musicians.”

Shetland Fiddle Week receives in-kind support from Shetland Amenity Trust, which donates use of spaces within Shetland Museum & Archives for the opening day.

Shetland Musical Heritage Trust sponsors workshops places for the winners of the 2025 young fiddler competition and will host a guided bus tour for students, exploring the North Mainland homeland of Dr Tom Anderson.

Tickets for both concerts will go on sale on Saturday (7 June) at 10am here.