Horsecross Sessions

Led by some of the very finest traditional musicians around, these informal sessions are open to all players to join in - and for absolutely anyone to come along, have a drink and enjoy some great music.

First and third Sunday of the month at 7.30pm in Greyfriars Bar. Free entry.

This session will be led by Mhairi MacKinnon and Grant McFarlane.

Mhairi Mackinnon (Fiddle), originally from Perthshire, is an exciting and innovative fiddle player with fresh ideas, flair and a passion. For many years, she had studied with Dunkeld fiddle player, Pete Clark and the Dunkeld & District Strathspey and Reel Society, before she accepted her place at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music; where she was tutored by Blazin’ Fiddles, Iain MacFarlane. She developed her unique and creative approach whilst turning her hand to every fiddling style she could, especially the West Highland style which is a major influence on Mhairi’s repertoire and ornamentation.

Mhairi’s graceful approach and charm has seen her as a session musician for many artists all over Scotland and has recorded on numerous albums and EP’s. She has also toured all over Germany, Ireland, France, Dubai and America; playing at many festivals and gigs with numerous bands and as a soloist. As a member of many current folk and traditional projects, Mhairi has played at events such as Festival Interceltique de Lorient and the 2012 London Olympics.

Mhairi is currently studying a degree in Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has already made her own pathway as a professional musician on the traditional/folk music scene.

Mhairi’s Influences: Alisdair White, Patsy Reid, Aiden O’Rourke, Chris Thile, Flook, Crooked Still, Lau, Maeve Mackinnon, Punch Brothers, KAN…

A recent graduate of the Scottish music course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Grant McFarlane is a dynamic young accordionist who performs and teaches extensively around Scotland and further afield.

His latest venture with folk ensemble, CherryGrove, has seen him supporting established bands such as Manran and Breabach and having performed at Olympic Park during the height of the games in 2012 and at Festival Interceltique in Lorient in 2013, they are quickly establishing themselves as one of Scotland’s most exciting new bands.

With a passion for composing, one of Grant’s tunes won a competition to be the soundtrack for the Royal National Mod 2013. As a result, his ceilidh band, Scotia, who are widely sought after on the dance band scene, opened the Mod in his hometown of Paisley last year.

Grant is also promoting traditional music on an international scale having been part of musical collaborations in France, Germany and the USA.