For Scotland, the late 18th and early 19th century was a time of profound and uncomfortable changes.  Economic and social structures were altered dramatically as the Industrial Revolution brought factories and mechanization to Scotland's rural world. At the same time, the Scottish Highlanders were being driven from their lands by the English conquerors, forced into the Lowlands, forbidden to practice their familiar customs. It was a difficult time, often a brutal time...and yet, this was a time of great poets, the likes of Robert Burns and Robert Tannahill. And it was a time of great music.

The Tannahill Weavers' diverse repertoire reflects the duality of Scotland's musical heritage. It embraces both the mystical quality of the Highlander's Celtic music, and the rollicking, sometimes even brawling, qualities of the Lowlander's Anglo-Scots tunes.  The Tannahill Weavers' arrangements blend the beauty of the traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. The penetrating sound of the Highland bagpipes is a thread of ancient memory running through it all.

The Tannahills have turned their acoustic excitement loose on audiences with an electrifying effect.  They have that unique combination of traditional melodies, driving rhythmic accompaniment, and rich vocals that make their performances unforgettable.  Over the years the Tannies have been international trailblazers for scottish music, and their tight harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements have won them fans from beyond the folk and Celtic music scenes.  They are firmly established as one of the premier groups on the concert stage.  From reflective ballads to footstomping reels and jigs, the variety and range of the material they perform is matched only by their enthusiasm and lively Celtic spirits.  

Photos above (l to r): Tannahill Weavers, Slide, Beoga