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We are excited to bring the best of of the Sounds of Scotland to the 37th NH Highland Games and Festival. Please check back as we continue to present information on our full line-up of world-class musicians!

Albannach

Once again, the drums and pipes that captivate Albannach fans will fill the air at the NHHG! Albannach has been wowing and captivating crowds of concert goers since their first visit to the NHHG. Albannach is Scots Gaelic for "Scottish" or "Scotsman." That's exactly what the members of this band are. Albannach are all born and bred in Scotland and their purpose in life is to share their intriguing culture, history, and heritage with you by means of their music. Albannach are not just another "pipes and drums" band, indeed they bring you a new and exciting form of music. A championship piper, an extremely talented lead drummer, 2 bass drummers and a bodhran player bring you a brand new approach to pipes and percussion. You can't just sit and listen to Albannach, you must move as you enjoy their ever exciting and energetic perfomances!

Bruce and Walker

We welcome Ian Bruce and Ian Walker to the NH Highland Games & Festival this year.  Two of Scotland's finest singer songwriters have joined forces again after 25 years and are once again wowing audiences with their powerful performances.  Over the years, Ian Bruce and Ian Walker have enjoyed considerable award-winning success with their albums and their own original songs which have widely been sung and recorded by other artists.  Although the influence of their Scottish heritage shines through in their sets, which include songs from the tradition and Robert Burns, the mainstay of their performance is the quality of their self-penned and co-written songs.  While they both still continue to pursue solo careers, audiences will enjoy listening to the refreshing, potent blend of their voices and instruments which include guitaars, madoline, autoharp, percussion and even a banjo!

John Carmichael

Despite his world travels, John Carmichael still finds time to visit the NHHG. With his great musical talent, sense of humor and stage presence, John always in demand at venues throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US. A 2009 inductee into the Scottish Tradtional Music Hall of Fame, John Carmichael plays the accordion and is one of Scotland’s busiest Band leaders with the current popularity of Ceilidh Dancing. For many years John has played in theatre shows, performed Burns night speeches and music, and provided music for ceilidh and country dances all over the world.John's reputation for being able to 'call' dances is second to none. Former Scottish accordion champion, John has made extensive tours of USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle and Far East. He has been musical director for and toured with many of Scotland's top artists including Jimmy Shand, Andy Stewart, Kenneth MacKellar, Calum Kennedy and others. John has long been a fixture at the NHHG as master of ceremonies and giving the Address to the Haggis at the Tartan Dinner and entertaining crowds throughout the weekend. He is ever popular with all ages and we look forward to his return each year!

Celtica

The NH Highland Games welcomes Celtica to their inaugural performance. With the bright sound of their bagpipes, mighty drums and the power of a rock band, has been storming the stages of Highland Games and Festivals. Totally committed to each and every performance, the band has been playing throughout Europe. 2012 brings the band to Canada and the United States. Prepare to be fascinated as Celtic plays reels and jigs, passionate ballads, rebellious drinking songs, ancient love songs and rock classics!

Fellswater

Fellswater is a new, dynamic Boston-based Celtic music ensemble. The group was formed in 2008 after band members met during the album recording for Stormin' the Castle by the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums. Fellswater plays a wide range of instrumental music, from traditional to modern compositions, drawing from the heritage of many of the Celtic nations, especially Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany. Fellswsater features Elizabeth Ketudat on violin, Sarah MacConduibh on whistle and Irish flute, Jim MacConduibh on guitar, mandolin and bouzouki, and Matthew Phelps on smallpipes and border pipes. 2010 highlights included the release of Fellswater, the group's first full-length recording, and their performance debut at the New Hampshire Highland Games. 2011 saw them play the BRT Summer Solstice Festival and their "Road to the Scottish Highlands" concert at Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, NH. 2012 saw Fellswater make their stage debut at the Boston Celtic Music Festival at Club Passim and their headline concert debut at the Blackstone River Theatre. 

Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is a Celtic-Rock band from Glengarry County in Ontario, Canada. Taking their name from one of the worlds’ greatest monuments located on the border of what is now England and Scotland, Hadrian’s Wall has a loyal following, especially in Canada and among Scots/Irish Americans in the United States. They’re a rockin’ and reelin’ Celtic party band that have been entertaining audiences in North America, The Caribbean, and Europe for a decade and a half.

Hadrian’s Wall is Neil Emberg (Vocals, Acoustic Guitars), Richard Irwin (Vocals, Drums, Percussion), Terry O`Farrell (Vocals, Bass), Dave Gossage (Irish Flutes, Harmonica, Whistles and Electric Guitar), Ashley MacLeod (Vocals, Fiddle, Accordion) and Ewen McIntosh (Vocals, Mandolin, Guitar, Bass).

Natalie Haas

Natalie Haas is a s performer, recording artist, and teacher. Over the years, she has joined master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser for festival and concert appearances in Scotland, Spain , France, and throughout the U.S., including Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Scotland, the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Aberdeen, Scotland, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. She has also performed with Alasdair Fraser for the past several years at the NH Highland Games.  People may be familiar with the gorgeous, melodic cello sound,” says Fraser, “but they're surprised to learn that the cello used to comprise the rhythm section in Scottish dance bands. Natalie Haas unleashes textures and deep, powerful rhythms that drive fiddle tunes. We can "duck and dive" around each other, swap melody and harmony lines, and improvise on each other's rhythmic riffs. She has such a great sense of exploration and excitement for the music; it's a joy to play with her!"

Alasdair Fraser

Alasdair's richly expressive playing transports listeners across a broad musical spectrum, ranging from haunting laments from the Gaelic tradition to classically-styled airs, raucous dance tunes, and improvisations based on traditional themes. His vast repertoire spans several centuries of Scottish music and includes his own compositions, which blend a profound understanding of the Scottish tradition with cutting-edge musical explorations. He weaves through his performances a warm and witty narrative, drawing from a deep well of stories and lore surrounding Scotland's musical heritage. One of the perennial favorites of NHHG.

Roy Johnstone

For close to 30 years, Roy Johnstone has been captivating audiences with his music and compositions. Not only is he one of the most accomplished fiddle players in Atlantic Canada but he has also received accolades for both his music compositions and his studio production. "Roy Johnstone has the heart of a poet, the spirit of an adventurer and plays like the Devil." Atlantic Gig Magazine. "Roy has that often rare combination, a superb musician and a brilliant entertainer with a tremendous capacity for reaching out and touching members of his audience with his artistry." Jack MacAndrew, Media Concepts producer. "One of the Island's most accomplished fiddlers." Doug Gallant, the Guardian. Roy returns this year with Steve Sharratt bringing the music of the Maritimes - Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island and more.  Don't miss it!

Searson 

Searson is Erin, Heather and Colleen Searson, three multi-talented sisters that play a variety of instruments and are all expert step dancers. Piano, organ, fiddle, tenor guitar and bass are all highlighted in their live performances. Acclaimed drummers and percussionists round out the live show.  

Growing up in the Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada all three sisters began to study music at a very young age, performing locally and competing at Step Dance & Fiddle Contests.  Since the age of 4, Erin has been classically trained through the Royal Conservatory of music in piano. Colleen has been studying violin and fiddle methods from all styles around the world since age 9, and Heather, from the age of 11 studied with veteran bass instructors while all three sisters began step dance lessons before the age of 9.  This prepared Searson to grow and expand as they became accomplished performers and musicians and increasingly began to tour across borders and overseas. Searson has always realized that they have had a passion for writing, recording and performing live and have been a full time touring band for several years now.

SEARSON has recorded 6 albums throughout their career so far. Fade and Shine, (2012) is their best album to date, a 16 track instrumental and vocal album of original material. Their previous albums, A Different Kind of Light (2008), Ignite (2009) were all written entirely by SEARSON as well. Recorded at French Kiss Studios in Pembroke, ON, Canada with a formidable producer, Jordon Zadorozny (Blinker The Star, Melissa Auf Der Maur). "Although the audience was barely reserved with the first two groups and showered the musicians with applause, it went off with the Canadian group SEARSON. The spectators were carried away by the cool rhythms, the roaring percussion, the funky....electric bass sounds. Above all, Colleen Searson turned out to be a true devil's violinist. She played her fiddle so that the bow threatened to glow."Diathelm Textoris, Lunen, Germany

Never road weary, SEARSON has a relentless tour schedule ahead. "Touring and performing our original music for live audiences is the best reward we could get for years of music lessons and practicing." said Erin. "Touring with my sisters has given us a lifetime of memories that we could never imagine living without."

Steve Sharratt

An Islander by choice, Steve Sharratt is an award winning musician and writer who has called Prince Edward Island home since moving from Ontario in 1980. He's penned songs for the likes of the Cape Breton Rankins, has won numerous awards for both his journalistic and fictional writing, and has enjoyed having numerous songs recorded by an array of Maritime and Canadian singers. With fiddler Roy Johnstone, Steve has nade musical tours of Scotland and the Isle of Skye. They were invited to Scotland by the Highland Council to perform and record a compilation CD commemorating the departures from Skye and landings in Orwell, P.E.I. of the "Selkirk" settlers. Together they were commissioned to write music to celebrate the 200th anniversary of that treacherous crossing in 1803 for 800 Highland Scots. Along with Roy Johnston, Steve returns to the NHHG in to wow audiences.

The Brigadoons

The Brigadoons have been entertaining across Canada, the United States and on cruises in the Caribbean for over 25 years! People in the area have grown up with their music and their children are now doing the same. Denis Carr leads the group and is the longest serving member; Reg Portieous and Dan Leroux keep the sound going with Ashley MacLeod and Pat Kelly added to the mix whenever they are available. 

The Brigadoons are still performing that traditional sound and while new songs are being added to their repertoire, they still perform all of the old favourites: Glengarry My Home, The Martintown song, Pipers of Glengarry at the request of their loyal fans.

Charlie Zahm

Charlie Zahm is one of the most popular soloists at Celtic music festivals, Maritime and Early American music events anywhere east of the Mississippi. With a baritone voice some have described as "coming along once in a generation," Charlie has become one of the most successful performers on the Celtic festival circuit, weaving magical moments of Scottish and Irish history for the listener and viewer, with passion for the performance and a chosen repertoire pleasing to all members of the family. A master of the guitar as well, Charlie brings an authentic love and respect for the music he sings—and with dashes of humor and a light in his eyes, he will draw you into the stories of his songs!

Since he's been old enough to sing, Charlie has been entertaining audiences with the beautiful Celtic songs and melodies he first heard in the largely Scottish province of his mother's birth, Ontario, Canada. Keenly aware of his own heritage, which includes healthy doses of Scottish and Irish blood on both sides of his family, Charlie has collected several hundred popular (as well as beautiful and obscure) selections and performs them for thousands of fans up and down the Eastern Seaboard and across America. Today, as one of the most sought-after Celtic singers on the East Coast (he is one of the few singers in the world to be invited to sing live with Scotland's "Black Watch"), Charlie performs regularly at concerts and festivals, on television shows and Celtic-themed Caribbean cruises, where his 6'4" frame and powerful baritone make him one of the most memorable performers around. The NHHG welcomes Charlie Zahm back again this year!