The North Atlantic Song Convention (NASC) returns to Edinburgh's Scottish Storytelling Centre from 6-8 March 2026 for three inspiring days celebrating traditional folk song and singing from across the North Atlantic Region.
Join us for cross-cultural programme of concerts, workshops, panel discussions, and intimate song circles that bring together singers, musicians, researchers, and enthusiasts from across the North Atlantic region and beyond.
Whether you're a seasoned performer, an academic researching folk traditions, a community song leader, or someone who simply cherishes the beauty of traditional song, NASC offers a genuinely inclusive space where every voice is valued.
Use the following hashtags on your social media posts:
#nasc2026
#northatlanticsong
https://www.facebook.com/northatlanticsong
Tickets are available on the Scottish Storytelling website. You are required to sign into the booking system to purchase a delegate pass or individual tickets.
You can buy a delegate pass for the whole weekend or else tickets for individual events. Purchase a weekend Delegate Pass to make the most of NASC (scroll to the bottom of that page). Passes are priced £45/£35 concession, with concessions including students, u26s, arts workers, those in receipt of income benefits and d/Deaf and disabled people.
Traditional Music Forum Members will receive a discount code which can be applied at the end of checkout. Please email the TMFS if you don't have your code.
Once purchased, or in your basket, your pass will allow you to book any of the free tickets for NASC events. Please book tickets for these individual events in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you have any questions regarding booking a ticket then please email the Scottish Storytelling Centre booking office or call them at: +44(0)131 556 9579.
You may download a basic programme in pdf format.
TIME & LOCATION
EVENT
10:30am-12:30pm
Meet at Scottish Storytelling Centre
Pre event Communal Walk / Sing
The early bird gets the worm! For anyone new to NASC or able to join this informal walk to Calton Hill. Note that this walk may take up to 2 hours and have some steep inclines. Participants are responsible for their own safety. Information & Tickets.
12:30pm-1:30pm
Storytelling Court
Registration and Networking
Register/buy tickets at the box office. Remember to select the events you will attend (required for numbers). Speak to NASC board members and meet previous and new attendees. Information & Tickets.
1:30pm-2:15pm
Theatre
Keynote Address - Angeline Morrison
Angeline is an award winning folk singer, songwriter, arranger and multi-instrumentalist with Jamaican, Hebridean and English heritage. She approaches the traditional songs of Old Albion with deep respect and curiosity, honouring the Ancestors who have traditionally been absented from the song canon. Her 2022 album The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience was The Guardian’s Folk Album of the Year.
Recently listed in MOJO as one of their “voices taking folk into the future”, Angeline believes in the power of enchantment for decoloniality.
This keynote explores the universality and healing power of song, and how song becomes a shared language that connects people across time, place, and culture.
If time, there will be an opportunity for Questions and Answers at the end of the keynote address. Information & Tickets.
2:30pm-3:45pm
Library
Scottish Gaelic Song Workshop - Claire Frances MacNeil
Claire Frances MacNeil, raised in Barra and Fort William, is a distinguished Gaelic singer and multi-instrumentalist renowned for her deep roots in Gàidhlig tradition. The first MMus Gaelic Song student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she is celebrated for her engaging performances and research-driven interpretations. Winner of the 2024 Royal National Mòd Gold Medal, Claire Frances has appeared at major festivals and works as a tutor, performer, and production assistant, sharing her passion for Gaelic music and culture. Information & Tickets.
2:30pm-3:45pm
Theatre
Panel Discussion: Singing with Sources - Ethics, Archives and Living Communities
With: Esbjörn Wettermark (moderator), Angeline Morrison, Hazel Marsh, Dave Francis.
Who do we credit, ask, and repay when we learn songs from recordings, books and living singers? This conversation focuses on permissions, attribution, language care, respectful adaptation and giving back to the people and places that carry the tradition.
The panel will start with a screening of the short film ‘A Basket Full of Eggs’ which follows Romani dancer and journalist Liza Mortimer as she explores the folk music archives at Cecil Sharp House to uncover her family's forgotten story. Information & Tickets.
4:00pm-5:15pm
Library
Swedish Song Workshop - Óskar Freyr Guðnason
Krokar, blåtoner och krus (Hooks, blue notes and frills)
Join Óskar Freyr Guðnason, the up-and-coming star singer, for a workshop exploring the richness of songs sung in Sweden. Óskar will teach songs from his extensive repertoire of hymns, herding songs and lullabies and guide us through distinctive features such as ornamentation, phrasing, articulation and intonation. The workshop is open for all levels, whether you are familiar with or new to Swedish singing. Information & Tickets.
4:00pm-5:15pm
Theatre
Skills Sharing Session: Learning, Retaining, and Passing on Traditional Songs
Join Emma Björling (moderator), Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen, Gemma Khawaja, and Bennett Konesni for an insightful session exploring the diverse approaches to learning, retaining, and transmitting traditional songs. Each speaker will share their personal perspectives and methods, followed by an open discussion inviting participants to contribute their own experiences and practices. The goal is to encourage open exchange, practical learning, and a deeper appreciation of the ways traditional songs continue to thrive from one generation to the next. Information & Tickets.
5:15pm-5:45pm
Cafe
Connections & Conversations
Take time to relax and connect with fellow delegates in an informal setting. Enjoy a drink, exchange ideas, and make new acquaintances. This is a great chance to form dinner groups, share experiences, and build lasting professional and personal connections within the traditional song community. Information & Tickets.
7:00pm-8:30pm
Storytelling Court
Open Song Circle
Join us for a welcoming and inclusive gathering where everyone is invited to share songs, listen, or simply enjoy the atmosphere. You will hear songs from diverse languages and cultures from regions across the North Atlantic. This song circle encourages participation without pressure. Information & Tickets.
8:00pm-Late
The Waverley Bar
(just across the road from the Storytelling Centre - on St Mary’s Street).
North Atlantic Singing Session
Join fellow singers and song enthusiasts for an evening of shared songs, stories, and camaraderie in a cosy pub setting.
Note that this venue has stairs up to the first floor and could be challenging for anyone with mobility issues. Be aware that the venue can get loud and crowded. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
Due to the size of the venue, priority will be given to Full Weekend Pass-holders. £10/£8 for non weekend pass holders. Pay on entry (not available on website). Information here.
10:15am-11:25am
Library
Norwegian Song Workshop - Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen
Join acclaimed singer and folk musician Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen for an engaging workshop exploring the vibrant song traditions of Folldal, Østerdalen, and Trøndelag. Drawing on her award-winning career and deep family roots in Norwegian folk music, Synnøve will guide participants through a few choice songs whilst discussing singing techniques and approaches to singing traditional songs from Norway. Information & Tickets.
10:15am-11:25am
Theatre
Panel Discussion: Safeguarding Song: Traditional Singing and UNESCO's Living Heritage Framework
Join Steve Byrne, Esbjörn Wettermark, Claire Frances MacNeil, and moderator Tom Besford for a thought-provoking panel exploring the role of UNESCO’s Living Heritage Framework in preserving and promoting traditional singing practices. Panellists will discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in recognising song traditions as intangible cultural heritage, sharing insights from their work in research, policy, and community engagement. Information & Tickets.
11:30am-12:45pm
Library
Open Discussion: Leading and Supporting Participatory Singing – A NASC Approach to Positive Engagement and Sharing
Join NASC board members including Jana Lohróva, Molly Gawler, Dave Francis, and Emma Björling for an open discussion focused on effective ways to lead and nurture participatory singing sessions. Grounded in NASC’s commitment to inclusivity, respect, and cross-cultural exchange, this session will explore practical strategies for fostering welcoming environments where everyone feels encouraged to contribute and share songs. Panellists will discuss approaches to facilitation, building trust, and celebrating diversity within singing communities, drawing on experiences from North Atlantic traditions. Information & Tickets.
11:30am-12:45pm
Theatre
Irish Gaelic Song Performance and Q&A
Supported by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, this special session welcomes three traditional Irish Gaelic singers Cathal Ó Curráin, Ellen De Burca, and Órla Ní Fhinneadha to share their practice, regional styles, and the living traditions that shape their work. Hosted by Brian Ó hEadhra and Ceara Conway, the event will feature song performances, context on song lineage, and an open Q&A. Attendees will gain insight into Irish-language repertoire, ornamentation, and transmission within communities. Information & Tickets.
11:30am-12:45pm
Theatre
Irish Gaelic Song Performance and Q&A
Supported by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, this special session welcomes three traditional Irish Gaelic singers Cathal Ó Curráin, Ellen De Burca, and Órla Ní Fhinneadha to share their practice, regional styles, and the living traditions that shape their work. Hosted by Brian Ó hEadhra and Ceara Conway, the event will feature song performances, context on song lineage, and an open Q&A. Attendees will gain insight into Irish-language repertoire, ornamentation, and transmission within communities. Information & Tickets.
1:30pm-3:45pm
Storytelling Court
Library
Theatre Stage
Open Song Circles
We’ll host three concurrent song circles so you can choose a smaller, more intimate space that feels comfortable. Each circle will be welcoming and lightly facilitated, with room for sharing songs, listening, and joining in when you wish. There’s no pressure to sing—drop in, settle, and take part at your own pace. Information & Tickets.
4:00pm-5:15pm
Library
Worksongs Workshop - Bennett Konesni
Join Bennett for a participatory singing session exploring songs that make work lighter, stronger, and more joyful. Actively singing in the sea shanty, farming, and forestry traditions of his native Maine, USA, Bennett draws on 30 years of experience leading and learning worksongs in his home fields, forests, and aboard boats, as well as research across more than a dozen countries. Information & Tickets.
4:00pm-5:15pm
Storytelling Court
Scots Song Workshop - Steve Byrne
Drawing on his work with Malinky, the School of Scottish Studies, and Tobar an Dualchais, Steve Byrne will offer a practical session covering core repertoire, styles, and language, with brief historical context and plenty of guided singing. Suitable for all levels—come to listen, join in, and gain insights into Scotland’s rich Scots song tradition. Information & Tickets.
7:00pm-8:30pm
Theatre
Concert - The North Atlantic Song Connection
Enjoy an intimate evening of traditional song from across the North Atlantic—unamplified, immediate, and unforgettable. International and local singers will gather together on stage to share ballads, work songs, and chorus favourites in a celebration of voice, language, and place. Audience members are warmly invited to join in true NASC style. Information & Tickets.
Singers include: Steve Byrne (Scotland); Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen (Norway); Angeline Morrison (England); Bennett Konesni (USA); Claire Frances MacNeill (Scotland); Óskar Freyr Guðnason (Sweden), Ellen De Burca (Ireland), Órla Ní Fhinneadha (Ireland), Cathal Ó Curráin (Ireland).
8:00pm-Late
The Waverley Bar
(just across the road from the Storytelling Centre - on St Mary’s Street).
North Atlantic Singing Session
Join fellow singers and song enthusiasts for an evening of shared songs, stories, and camaraderie in a cosy pub setting.
Note that this venue has stairs up to the first floor and could be challenging for anyone with mobility issues. Be aware that the venue can get loud and crowded. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
Due to the size of the venue, priority will be given to Full Weekend Pass-holders. £10/£8 for non weekend pass holders. Pay on entry (not available on website). Information here.
10:30am-11:30am
Storytelling Court
North Atlantic Song Convention - Annual Meeting and Future Planning
Join us for the NASC Annual Meeting, where attendees can share their experiences, reflect on the convention, and help shape the future of the North Atlantic Song Convention. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow participants, exchange ideas, and discuss next steps for fostering collaboration and celebrating the song traditions of the North Atlantic region. Information & Tickets.
11:30am-1:30pm
Storytelling Court
Song Circle Finale
Bring the North Atlantic Song Convention to a heartfelt close with our final song circle. Whether you’d like to sing, listen, or simply soak up the atmosphere, this is the perfect way to wrap up the convention in true NASC spirit. Information & Tickets.
Angeline Morrison is an award winning folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work explores the overlooked histories within traditional song. Her acclaimed album The Sorrow Songs was The Guardian’s Folk Album of the Year. A distinctive voice in contemporary folk, she brings depth, curiosity and a powerful artistic vision to her performances.
Bennett Konesni is a singer, farmer, sailor, researcher, and cultural organiser from Maine. Through his Worksong Project he revives songs for field, forest, and sea. He leads Bagaduce Music, performs widely, and shares traditional and original works across the US and Europe.
Claire Frances MacNeil, raised in Barra and Fort William, is an acclaimed Gaelic singer and multi-instrumentalist. The first MMus Gaelic Song student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and winner of the 2024 Mòd Gold Medal, she performs, teaches, and researches widely, sharing her deep commitment to Gaelic song and culture.
Óskar Freyr Guðnason is a Swedish singer and composer whose work blends Nordic vocal traditions with contemporary influences. A graduate of the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, he has quickly become a striking voice in the folk scene, noted for his creative integrity and vivid, expressive interpretation of song.
Steve Byrne is a renowned Scots singer, researcher, and multi-instrumentalist from Arbroath. A founding member of Malinky, he is widely respected for his scholarship, his work with the School of Scottish Studies, Tobar an Dualchais, and TRACS, and his deeply rooted interpretations of Scots song, language, and tradition.
Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen is a leading young Norwegian folk singer from Folldal, rooted in the traditions of Folldal, Østerdalen, and Trøndelag. A graduate of the Norwegian Academy of Music, she is a Folkelarm prize-winner, a two-time Landskappleiken elite-class champion, and a nominee for the Norwegian Grammy.
Cathal Ó Curráin is a singer and multi-instrumentalist from Gaoth Dobhair, Donegal, Ireland. An award-winning emerging artist, he draws deeply on the musical and linguistic traditions of his community. He performs widely as a soloist and with several ensembles, noted for his expressive singing and distinctive Donegal style.
Hazel Marsh is Professor of Cultural Politics at the University of East Anglia, England. Her interdisciplinary work focuses on social and cultural justice, popular music and activism, community arts, and Romani cultural contributions. She has led research across Latin America, India, and the UK, using arts-based and decolonising methodologies.
Órla Ní Fhinneadha is a distinguished sean nós singer and broadcaster from Connemara, Ireland. Known for her expressive ornamentation and deep connection to the Irish-language tradition, she has performed widely, taught internationally, and presented on TG4. She is recognised as one of the leading voices in contemporary sean nós singing.
Femi Oriogun-Williams is a London-based singer, writer, and researcher whose work explores voice, storytelling, and community traditions. With a background in theatre-making and participatory arts, he engages with folk repertoires through contemporary perspectives, creating performances that balance curiosity, social insight, and a strong commitment to inclusive creative practice.
Ellen de Búrca is a sean nós singer and musician from Cill na Martra in the Múscraí Gaeltacht, Ireland. A graduate of the Aisling Gheal scheme, she sings in the Múscraí tradition and plays tin whistle, harp, and flute. She is currently completing her B.Ed at Coláiste Mhuire gan Smál and undertaking an Erasmus year in Salzburg.
Gemma Khawaja is a multidisciplinary artist and traditional singer from the English Midlands, now based in Norfolk. A puppeteer, theatre maker, and musician, she is known for her strong unaccompanied voice and deep engagement with songs of the British Isles. She won the 2013 Islington Folk Club Trad2Mad competition.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is based at 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR and is just a five-minute walk from Waverley train station and central bus/tram stops. The bus station is a ten-minute walk away.
There are many hotels, hostels and self-catering options in the centre of Edinburgh. Use your normal travel app to find accommodation or use Google Travel.
Early booking is advised to avail of the best prices for accommodation and travel.
Situated half way down the Royal Mile in the centre of Edinburgh, the Scottish Storytelling Centre is a modern building attached to the John Knox House Museum.
The building is fully wheelchair accessible with lift access to all floors and hearing loops in Reception and performance spaces.
The Centre is comprised of a ground floor Reception area and exhibition space, a 99-seat theatre on the basement level and two meeting rooms/workshop spaces on the upper floors.
If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone +44 (0) 131 556 9579 or email reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com