Skipinnish

Skipinnish bring their Highland folk to Usher Hall in Edinburgh on 23 May 2026. Formed in 1999 in Glasgow by accordionist-composer Angus MacPhail and piper Andrew Stevenson, the band has grown from a tight duo into a full live unit built around accordion, Highland pipes, whistles and fiddle, with a rhythm section that shifts from ceilidh drive to a more folk-rock pulse. Their songs are mostly in English but carry a strong Gaelic thread, drawing on Hebridean melody and dance tunes while keeping an ear for clear, singable hooks. Across albums released on their own Skipinnish Records, they have shaped a set that moves between sea-faring choruses, story-led ballads and brisk instrumental sets. On stage, the dialogue between pipes and box leads the way, with fiddle lines weaving in and harmonies lifting the refrains. It’s a show rooted in tradition and open to contemporary shapes, carrying the feel of a community gathering into a concert hall without losing the warmth or the momentum.