Skerryvore

Skerryvore originated from the island of Tiree, Argyll and Bute, in 2000, founded by Daniel Gillespie and Fraser West. They initially performed ceilidh music at various functions. The band expanded with the addition of Martin Gillespie and Alec Dalglish, touring small venues across the Scottish Highlands and Islands by 2003. In 2004, they officially adopted the name Skerryvore, inspired by the Skerryvore lighthouse, and began work on their debut album. Their first album, “West Coast Life,” released in 2005, was produced by Allan Henderson and primarily featured arrangements of traditional tunes. This release helped establish their presence in the Scottish music scene and led to increased performance opportunities.

Following their debut, Skerryvore expanded their lineup in 2006 with fiddler Craig Espie and bassist Barry Caulfield, enriching their musical range. Their second album, “On the Road,” released in 2007, incorporated a brass section, offering a rockier and funkier interpretation of traditional music. The band’s growing popularity led to appearances at larger festivals such as T in the Park and international engagements, including representing Scotland at the 2008 Ryder Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. In 2009, their company, Skerryvore, received the PSYBT Young Entrepreneurs of the Year award, recognizing their business acumen in the music industry.

Skerryvore’s third album, “Skerryvore,” released in 2010, featured predominantly original compositions and received critical acclaim, including the Scottish New Music Awards Album of the Year and the Frankie Miller Songwriter of the Year for Alec Dalglish. The band also earned the “Best Live Act” award at the 2011 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Subsequent albums like “World of Chances” (2012) and “Chasing the Sun” (2014) showcased their stylistic evolution, blending traditional influences with country, Cajun, jazz, and rock elements. Collaborations with producers such as Chris Kress of the Dave Matthews Band further diversified their sound. Their 2015 “Decade” album, celebrating ten years, featured live recordings and new tracks like “Happy to be Home” with Sharon Shannon, accompanied by a limited edition single malt whisky in collaboration with the Bruichladdich distillery. Skerryvore continued to achieve success, including organizing the “Oban Live” festival and winning “Best Live Act” again in 2016 and 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their single “Everyday Heroes” reached number one on the Scottish Singles chart and won the Original Work of the Year award at the 2020 MG ALBA Scottish Trad Music Awards.