Ainsley Hamill

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

In 2025, Ainsley released her third studio album, Fable. Drawing inspiration from Scottish folklore and myth, the album combines Gaelic, Scots and original compositions with a rich tapestry of sounds from musicians Alistair Iain Paterson, Toby Shaer, Signy Jakobsdottir and Euan Burton. Each track weaves a narrative resonating with ancient stories and contemporary relevance.

Ainsley’s accolades include BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist, Gaelic Singer of the Year nominee at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, and representing Scotland at Eurovision in Gothenburg. Her festival appearances span a decade at Celtic Connections and international stages including Festival Interceltique de Lorient. She currently performs with Fourth Moon, blending Gaelic and English material with signature step dancing.