Hannah Fisher: 300 Years of Niel Gow and Sally Simpson

Acclaimed Scottish fiddler Hannah Fisher celebrates the enduring legacy of legendary Perthshire musician Niel Gow, three centuries after his birth. Deeply connected to the landscape and traditions that shaped Gow’s music, Fisher brings a fresh perspective to some of Scotland’s most treasured fiddle repertoire, tracing the influence of a musician whose melodies continue to resonate today. Known for her work with artists including King Creosote, Karen Matheson, Dougie Maclean and Idlewild, Fisher combines deep traditional knowledge with a warm, engaging performance style.

Honouring one of Scotland’s most influential musical figures within the welcoming atmosphere of Celtic Connections, this special concert offers a fascinating journey through the heritage, beauty and lasting impact of the Scottish fiddle tradition.

Edinburgh-born fiddle player Sally Simpson places connection to place, people and stories at the heart of her creative practice. Known for her work with Westward the Light, Heisk and Malin Lewis, she spent much of 2026 in theatre, with a season at Shakespeare’s Globe in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the inaugural London run of the new folk musical Ballad Lines, and cover work on Sting’s The Last Ship and Hadestown in the West End. In this performance she brings these strands together in a more intimate setting, stepping out alone to preview material from her debut solo album, Retreat, produced by Sarah-Jane Summers. Inspired by Scottish and Scandinavian fiddle traditions, the album presents her own solo sound for the first time.