'Fiercest' folk musician whose 'lost' music was re-released to tell life story at Scottish festival

Mr Gaughan, who is legally blind and is unable to play the guitar following a stroke, will appear in conversation with Dr Lori Watson at this year’s Edinburgh Tradfest to talk about his life, career and love for Scotland’s big ballads.

Last year, his music, which had largely been lost, was tracked by fellow musician Colin Harper, who launched a crowdfunding campaign to re-release the tracks.

The event, Dick Gaughan: Muckle Sangs is this year’s Rebellious Truth talk presented in partnership with Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

It will also include a special music set by University of Edinburgh Traditional Artist in Residence, in Celtic and Scottish Studies Fraser Fifield.

Dr Watson of the Celtic and Scottish Studies department at the University of Edinburgh said: “Talking of the muckle sangs, Dick Gaughan's traditional ballads such as Glenlogie or Floo'er o Northumberland are a masterclass in Scots song interpretation.

“There is a deep understanding of the lives, experiences and relationships in the songs as well as the demands of the ballad form. Dick Gaughan is one of the finest, fiercest, and most compassionate storytellers in song that Scotland has seen.”

Born in Glasgow in 1948, Mr Gaughan moved to Leith at just 18 months old, and began playing in the folk clubs of Edinburgh in the late 60s. In 1970 he turned professional and made his first solo album in 1971.

His career saw him recording albums for himself and others, composing music for films and working as an actor and theatre music director. In the early 80s he worked with 7:84 (Scotland) Theatre Company and released his LP Handful of Earth, widely regarded as a classic and quoted by many artists as a seminal influence on their own work.

His own songs have been recorded by, among others, Billy Bragg, Mary Black and Capercaille, and he was an early member of Boys of the Lough and Five Hand Reel. In the 1990s, he founded Clan Alba, a supergroup also featuring Mary Macmaster, Brian MacNeill, Fred Morrison, Patsy Seddon, Davy Steele, Mike Travis and Dave Tulloch.

Last year, Mr Harper sourced 126 audio and 31 video tracks recorded by Mr Gaughan between 1969 and 1991, mainly recorded during live gigs and performances, as well as BBC session and concert recordings. The music includes over 100 distinct pieces of repertoire.

His work was released in January, with a launch concert dedicated to his music at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.

The event will be presented in person and livestreamed.

Edinburgh Tradfest 2026 will run from 1 May to 11 May. Full programme including folk film and storytelling will be announced on 17 March.