Sessions around Edinburgh
There’s an increasing number of regular pub sessions around Edinburgh – several of these have started with musicians from the Scots Music Group.
Do you of any other local sessions? Let us know
Monday evenings
Sandy Bells, Forrest Road (near Edinburgh University)
From 5pm
This session has plenty of fiddlers, several of whom are from SMG classes. Lots of slow tunes!
Colinton Inn, Bridge Street, Colinton
From 8pm to 10pm. This is a new session which was started by a group of SMG students in late August 2008. The session is in the downstairs room.
Alternate Mondays
Sandy Bells, Forrest Road (near Edinburgh University)
From 7–9pm
This session has a regular contingent of moothie players from the Scots Music Group’s 2 moothie classes, and is led by George Current, an ex-SMG tutor.
Tuesdays – daytime
Every 3rd Tuesday
Cafe Ceilidh – daytime sessions in St Colm’s Church, Dalry Road
From 1–3pm, term-time only. Details of dates are here
This session aims to provide a volunteer-run space open to all Scots Music Group musicians and singers to perform, try out tunes and songs (in groups or solo) in an informal and encouraging atmosphere. Friends and family are welcome to come along to listen
Come along and enjoy an afternoon of friendly songs and tunes!
There is a charge of £1.50 to cover the cost of room hire and tea/coffee
More information
Wednesday evenings
Slow Session in Bennets Bar, Leven Street, Tollcross (beside the Kings Theatre)
Starts around 9.15pm.
This is an inviting evening for players who are new to playing in traditional music sessions. It’s an encouraging space to come and try out playing in a session environment. During term times the sessions is led by Nigel Gatherer, who has been an immensely popular tutor with the Scots Music group for many years
The session is in the side bar, which has its own entrance in Valleyfield Street
Diggers Session in the Athletic Arms (known as the Diggers) on Angle Park Terrace, Shandon
Usually starts around 9.15pm.
This session has been running since 1994. Most of the regular musicians have been Scots Music Group students somewhere in their past. It has a welcoming atmosphere, a distinctly unusual repertoire of tunes, and occasional songs.
The session is held in the back room of the pub. As the pub is very popular with Hearts fans, it is occasionally cancelled on nights when there is a big home game.
We will update this page with any cancellations. These are very rare but you may want to check here to see if the session is on.
Tass Session in The Tass on the High Street, at the junction with Jeffrey Street
From around 9.15pm to exactly 11.45pm!
A couple of tables are reserved for the musicians, on the right just inside the main door.
This started as a SMG-led session, but has been independent for several years. Many regulars are current or past SMG students, and people new to the session scene are welcomed and encouraged, especially if they make themselves known. The pace is normally medium, most of the tunes are quite well-known, and there’s sometimes a song or two.
Hugely popular with the tourists in summer (who watch, take photos, and get their requests for Danny Boy knocked back).
Thursday evenings
The ‘Tiq’ session in the Antiquary, St Stephens Street, Stockbridge
Session starts around 9.15ish, last tune at 12.15
This is a led session, often full of up tempo reels & jigs, with an appreciative audience in the bar. If you play an acoustic instrument or sing whether you are a beginner, or an experienced musician, in any music genre, you’ll feel welcome at the ‘tiq. Come along, play, sing, enjoy, teach, learn, and make new friends.
If you have information on any other regular sessions in Edinburgh that you would like to see added here, please email the details to ros@scotsmusic.org