Calum MacPhail

Born in the Scottish Highlands, first in Fort William and then in Inverness, Calum MacPhail roots himself in the musical tradition of northern Scotland while opening it to more contemporary forms. An accordionist and singer, he moves between traditional Scottish folk, Celtic songs and touches of country pop, with a repertoire that alternates between dance tunes, ballads and more personal writing. In 2014 Calum MacPhail co-founded the group Hò-rò, a trad folk outfit notable on the Scottish scene, with which he develops a regular presence in the United Kingdom and in Europe. In parallel, he pursues a solo path centered on his own compositions and publishes At Last... in 2023. His piece 7 Years Old, distinguished at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2021 in the Original Work of the Year category, approaches a more intimate and social register, far from the festive frame often associated with traditional music. On stage, Calum MacPhail performs just as well in festival contexts as in halls and ceilidh formations, notably with Highland Fire Ceilidh, reflecting a strong rooting in the collective practices of Scottish music as well as a desire to broaden his language toward a contemporary writing.