Black Cuillin [MP3]

Duncan Chisholm is one of Scotland’s most recognised and accomplished fiddle players, known for his powerfully cinematic and deeply expressive music.

Over a career spanning several decades, Chisholm has established himself not only as a virtuoso instrumentalist but also as a visionary composer and producer who has brought new life and international acclaim to Scottish traditional music.

Born and raised in the Highlands of Scotland, Duncan Chisholm’s music is deeply rooted in the landscape that surrounds him. He began playing the fiddle at a young age, heavily influenced by the Highland piping tradition and the music of his Highland Gaelic-speaking heritage.

His playing style reflects the soul of the Highlands— its grandeur, its melancholy, and its rugged beauty.

These formative influences would become the hallmark of his sound, even as his career evolved to embrace more experimental and atmospheric directions.

Chisholm gained early recognition as a founding member of the folk-rock band Wolfstone, one of the pioneering groups that helped modernise Scottish traditional music in the 1990s.

Wolfstone’s electrified approach combined traditional melodies with drums and electric guitars, helping bring Highland music to a broader, younger audience. As the band’s fiddler, Chisholm’s soaring, passionate style became a central element of their sound, showcasing his ability to blend tradition with innovation.

While Chisholm made a name for himself with Wolfstone, it is his solo work that has cemented his place as one of the most important contemporary voices in traditional music. His acclaimed Strathglass Trilogy-consisting of the albums Farrar (2008), Canaich (2010), and Affric (2012)—is widely regarded as a masterpiece. Named after the Strathglass region where the paternal line of his family has lived for centuries, the trilogy explores themes of place, memory, and emotional resonance through music.

Each album in the trilogy captures the essence of the Highland landscape, using layered string arrangements, ambient textures, and field recordings to create an immersive listening experience. The music, though instrumental, tells stories that speak deeply to listeners, whether they are familiar with the Highlands or not. Chisholm’s ability to evoke emotion without words is a testament to his artistry.

Duncan Chisholm has received numerous awards for his contributions to Scottish music.

He has won Album of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards multiple times, and his work is regularly praised for its beauty, craftsmanship, and depth. He has also been nominated for BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, further solidifying his international reputation.

In 2023 Duncan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Highlands and Islands for his work in the creative arts.

Beyond his solo work, Chisholm is a frequent collaborator with other top-tier musicians in the Scottish folk scene. He has worked extensively with Gaelic singing sensation Julie Fowlis and with composer Donald Shaw. He co-writes with the piper Ross Ainslie and with multi-instrumentalist Hamish Napier.

His versatility as both a performer and composer has made him a sought-after contributor to many studio recordings and live performances.

He has also composed music for film and television. His work often straddles the line between folk and cinematic soundscapes, making it particularly effective in storytelling mediums.

What sets Duncan Chisholm apart is his ability to use the fiddle not just as a melodic instrument, but as a tool for painting vivid emotional landscapes. His music is often described as “haunting” and “transcendent,” capable of stirring profound feelings of nostalgia, longing, and awe.

He is deeply committed to honouring the past, however this is never at the expense of innovation.

In doing so, he ensures that Highland music remains alive and relevant, not just preserved.

Duncan Chisholm stands as a bridge between the ancient and the modern, between tradition and creativity. His music invites listeners to experience the Highland soul in a personal and profound way. Whether through his evocative solo recordings, his high-energy collaborations, or his stirring live performances, Chisholm continues to be a beacon of artistic excellence in the world of traditional music.