Mix Heather Small & Julie Fowlis and you’ve got singer songwriter Ainsley Hamill. Ainsley is one of the UK’s most distinctive and versatile singers, known for her remarkable voice, storytelling, and emotive style. Hailing from the West Coast of Scotland, Ainsley has built a career celebrated for its authenticity, merging traditional Scottish folk with a modern touch.

In early 2025, Ainsley released her much-anticipated third studio album, Fable, produced by Sam Kelly. Drawing inspiration from Scottish folklore and myth, Fable combines Gaelic, Scots, and original compositions with a rich tapestry of sounds from musicians Alistair Iain Paterson, Toby Shaer, Signy Jakobsdottir and Euan Burton.

Ainsley’s accolades include being a BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist, a Gaelic Singer of the Year nominee at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, and representing Scotland internationally at World Expo Dubai and World Expo Osaka as well as at Eurovision in Gothenburg. Her album Fable was nominated for Album of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards and has continued to attract national praise and exceptional audience response.

With roots shaped at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Ainsley carries a profound connection to Gaelic song and Scottish storytelling. She first came to prominence with the folk band Barluath, contributing original songwriting to their albums Source and At Dawn of Day. Alongside her acclaimed solo career which remains her main artistic focus she also performs with Fourth Moon, bringing a vibrant blend of Gaelic and English song together with her signature step dancing.

Her voice thick with velvet and mirk…hovering between the comforting warmth of The Breath and the whip-smart forlornness of early Adele…Hamill has a big intriguing voice, it’s Scottishness ever-present. Folk Album of the Month March 2021 – Not Just Ship Land -The Guardian Jude Rodgers

One of the best of her generation. RnR Magazine

Anyone listening to these songs today cannot fail to be moved and impressed (Not Just Ship Land) Mike Ritchie Fatea Magazine

Doors/licensed bar open 7pm

Music 7.30pm (with interval)

This event is sponsored by Andertons Music Co.

Our GI Music Lounge events are held as fundraising events for The Guildford Institute.