Many young people have come to know of Julie Fowlis through the music for the Disney movie Brave and for some that’s an introduction to Scottish Gaelic. Judging from the stalwarts of the local Gaelic community, including teachers from the city’s Gaelic Medium Education schools, who are in the room, many are attracted by her use of our national language.
This Scottish tour is unusual, as instead of the traditional format of a support band and then the main act, Julie Fowlis has two sets with a special guest appearing in the second half. Unlike most bands who tour to promote their recently released album, this tour is being recorded to become the next album, although the gorgeous t-shirts for it are already available and selling fast.
The guest at the Aberdeen concert is Kris Drever and performs at the start of the second half, explaining first the song Pilot Whales which was written for a BBC documentary about an amazing lady who moved to the Islands from London. Kris is a delightful addition to a stage already full of talented musicians. There is the amazing fiddler Duncan Chisholm, the marvellous Mike McGoldrick, known mostly for his part in Capercaillie, and Julie’s husband Éamon Doorley and his fellow Irish guitarist Tony Byrne.
Usually thought of as a Gaelic singer, this concert included Julie playing whistle, singing in Gaelic, English (and Galician in Gillebride MacMillan’s song Camariñas) and she even treated us to a blast of the bagpipes. The set includes Runrig, Beatles songs and the youngsters in the audience who are likely Brave fans will be pleased that Julie and Kris play the song that was used in the trailer for the blockbuster movie. Blackbird translated into Gaelic is a beautiful thing as is the final song Fodar dha na gamhna beaga.
At the merchandise table before the concert started some people chat away in Gaelic and it is lovely to hear some of Scotland’s national language in the beautiful and traditional surroundings of the Tivoli Theatre.
A fabulous evening enjoyed by all, as apparent from the singing along and seemingly endless applause.
Reviewed on 9 May 2026 | Image: Mary Anne Kenyon
