Sian

Originally brought together by the Blas festival in 2016, to celebrate the work of female bards, Sian comprises three of today’s most exquisitely giDed young Gaelic singers - Ceitlin Lilidh, Eilidh Cormack and Ellen MacDonald – accompanied by in-demand multi-instrumentalist (and fellow Gaelic speaker) Innes White. With direct connections among the singers to Lewis, Skye and North Uist, their arrangements match deep feeling for tradition with stunning, boldly imaginative harmony work, which has seen them likened to The Staves and even Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Their self-titled debut album, produced by Donald Shaw, was released in 2020.

“At once both ancient and modern, and never less than remarkable.” – The National

Eilidh Cormack, from the Isle of Skye, won the Ladies’ Gold Medal at the Royal National Mòd on her first aVempt at the age of 18 and was hailed Gaelic Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in 2018. Hailing from a family of well-known singers, she has been performing from an early age, both in concerts and at festivals such as Celtic Connections, Ligonier Highland Games in the US and Belladrum's Tartan Heart Festival. She worked alongside Simple Minds’ Ged Grimes and a host of other Scottish musicians to create the soundtrack to The Bard's Tale IV, an Xbox game released September 2018.

Ellen MacDonald has collaborated with many groups over the years following her graduation from the Traditional Music Course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on the Isle of Skye. Hailing from Inverness but with strong connections to North Uist, she has grown up collecting a wealth of Gaelic song. She is currently performing with trad music giants Dàimh and also appears oDen with Gaelic electronica pioneers Niteworks.

As a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, winner of the Traditional Gold Medal at the Royal National Mòd and with a Danny Kyle award under her belt, Ceitlin Lilidh has a wealth of experience performing all over the world as an ambassador to Gaelic song. She has performed nationally and internationally at renowned festivals including Celtic Colours, Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Milwaukee Irish Fest and Celtic Connections. As well as establishing a solo career, Ceitlin continues to immerse herself in a number of collaborative projects.