Scottish legend set for Edinburgh International Festival’s... - News

A lineup of world-class musicians at the forefront of their fields have been added to the Edinburgh International Festival programme. The performances this August will celebrate the joy of music-making with highlights including:

Scottish music icon, Dougie MacLean, headlining the free event, the Big Singalong
celebrated folk musician, Donald Shaw, leading the Ceilidh Sessions with traditional Gaelic music and dance
Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti, and jazz pianist, Joe Webb, leading improvisational sessions featuring emerging young talent

Free tickets are available from midday on Thursday 19 June.

Get free tickets on eif.co.uk

Dougie MacLean to lead the Big Singalong

Dougie MacLean is one of Scotland’s most beloved musical figures. He will lead the Big Singalong on Sunday 3 August. This is a free, outdoor event to mark the start of festival season in Edinburgh.

The Perthshire-born singer-songwriter and composer behind the iconic anthem Caledonia will start a mass singalong that welcomes all voices. The performance will be set against the stunning backdrop of Princes Street Gardens.

It is curated by the Artistic Director of Edinburgh’s Love Music Community Choir, Stephen Deazley.

Ceilidh Sessions set for Princes Street Gardens

The joy of music making continues the next day with The Ceilidh Sessions, also in Princes Street Gardens.

Scottish tradition meets baroque flair, as Norwegian folk ensemble Barokksolistene join forces with Donald Shaw, the founding member of Scottish folk legends Capercaillie. They will also be accompanied by Shaw's band.

Alongside beloved ceilidh tunes like the "Gay Gordons" and "Strip the Willow", Barokksolistene add Baroque music, sea shanties, and alehouse tunes to the mix for a truly international afternoon of music and dance.

Both events in Princes Street Gardens are presented with support from EventScotland.

Up Late Jazz Jam at The Hub

Jazz takes the spotlight at The Hub on the Royal Mile. Acclaimed pianist and composer, Joe Webb, will lead the Up Late Jazz Jam on Friday 15 August. Originally from Wales and now one of the most exciting forces on the UK jazz scene, Webb brings his distinctive energy and improvisational flair.

He honed his skills through his work with Kansas Smitty’s and as part of the Wynton Marsalis Quartet, with whom he made his festival debut last year. The late-night session sees seasoned professionals and fresh talent share the stage for an electrifying night of improvisation and raw creativity in action.

Nicola Benedetti leads Rising Stars

Renowned violinist and Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti, leads a cohort of the world’s most promising young musicians in Rising Stars: Classical Jam.

This spontaneous, informal concert brings emerging and professional musicians together for a dynamic, performance where audiences choose the repertoire.

This event is inspired by the behind-the-scenes energy of rehearsal rooms and post-concert jams that classical musicians usually enjoy off stage.

For the third year running, the International Festival’s Rising Stars programme unites up-and-coming young musicians with mentors for professional development and performance opportunities.

This year’s performances include:

Rising Stars of Woodwind with clarinettist, Mark Simpson, on 8 August
a return from the original 2023 cohort of Rising Stars in Benedetti and Sitkovetsky’s Tribute to Menuhin with NFM Leopoldinum on 11 August
the first cohort of vocalists in Rising Stars of Voice on 19 August

Find out more about Rising Stars at eif.co.uk

At the heart of our festival is a commitment to connection, providing a closer communion between artist and audience.

From our mass ceilidh dancing, to singing Dougie MacLean’s iconic anthem "Caledonia" at the top of our lungs in the Princes Street Gardens, to spontaneous jam sessions for jazz lovers and classical enthusiasts alike, these events invite everyone to take part in the magic of live performance.

We are all about celebrating artistry in its most human, communal form, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it with us in August.

Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival

Caledonia has become more than just a song, it’s a reflection of Scotland’s spirit.

Nearly 50 years on, it still speaks powerfully about what it means to find home, especially for those who are new to Scotland or have journeyed far.

Singing it together in Princes Street Gardens this August for the International Festival opening weekend isn’t just about music; it’s about connection.

It’s a way for people to feel they belong, to share in something bigger.

When thousands of voices come together, you feel that sense of welcome, of joy, of community.

That’s what Scotland is all about.

Stephen Deazley, Artistic Director, the Big Singalong

The Edinburgh International Festival is one of Scotland’s signature events, and we’re proud to support the Big Singalong and the Ceilidh Sessions as part of the festival’s opening weekend.

These events not only celebrate our rich musical heritage with icons like Dougie MacLean and Donald Shaw, but also play a vital role in growing the value of Scotland’s visitor economy.

Free, inclusive events like these are essential in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy and connection that live events bring.

Together with our enviable portfolio of cultural and sporting events, the Edinburgh International Festival reinforces Scotland’s global reputation as a world-class destination for tourism and events.

Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events, VisitScotland