Article Source: Skerryvore
Last Updated: 30 April 2025 12:34
A special one-off event celebrating the 20th anniversary of beloved Scottish band Skerryvore is getting even bigger, organisers have announced, with an increased capacity and special guest acts added to the bill.
Skerryvore XX will take place at Floors Castle in Kelso on Saturday 31 May 2025 and despite already being the legendary band’s biggest show to date, it is growing even larger. With over 5,000 tickets already sold, event organisers have decided to make an additional 2,000 tickets available for extra attendees to experience this spectacular Scottish Borders event.
The band has already seen incredible levels of global demand for the concert, with fans from five continents snapping up tickets to be part of the milestone celebration.
The contemporary eight-piece will be joined throughout the night by an array of musical friends they have made over the last two decades as they worked their way to the top of Scotland’s music scene.
Fellow Tiree natives Trail West, known for their high-octane West Coast tunes, join the bill having played at festivals across Scotland alongside Skerryvore for the last 15 years, while beloved British-born Irish country music singer Nathan Carter will also make an appearance. Nathan released a cover of Skerryvore’s song Simple Life more than ten years ago.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums, renowned for their awe-inspiring displays of precision and musicality, will also bring something special to Skerryvore XX. In August 2024, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo received an incredible reaction when their version of Skerryvore’s hit song Take My Hand was performed to audiences as part of the Show’s finale.
Two sensational female Scottish duos will also be at the centre of the party in Kelso. The Laurettes – who the band met when they played their hometown festival Tiree Music Festival – and The Eves, who have played support slots with Skerryvore the length and breadth of the country, will each take to the Skerryvore XX stage across the evening.
Exciting Isle of Skye electronic folk fusion force, Valtos, will also have Kelso crowds on their feet this May. Shortlisted for this year’s BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year, Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald will be showcasing their genre-defying sounds at the event.
Local Borders talent Western End, who joined Skerryvore on their recent winter tour, will kick off the evening with a set that’s sure to get their hometown crowd going. Skerryvore have also promised fans some extra surprises across the night.
Skerryvore’s Daniel Gillespie said: “As part of our musical journey over the past 20 years we have been very fortunate to travel the world and cross paths with so many incredible musicians along the way. From artists we first met in the bars and halls of the west coast of Scotland to bright new talents who are thriving in the amazing Scottish music scene, we wanted to fill the Skerryvore XX stage with host of musical pals that we know will help make it an extra special day for everyone making the journey to the castle.”
The band’s front man Alec Dalglish said: “We still can't believe that so many people are travelling from all over the world to celebrate with us so it is amazing that we can increase the capacity and welcome even more people to join the party – it's going to be a very special way to celebrate 20 years of the band."
With a mix of bagpipes, fiddles, accordions, whistles, guitar and vocals, underpinned by driving bass, drums and keys, Skerryvore represents the best in contemporary Scottish traditional music and has evolved into one of the country’s leading musical forces.
They have reached number one in both the Official Scottish Album and UK Folk Albums charts, entered the top 40 in the Official UK Charts, performed in 30 countries and picked up national airplay from the likes of BBC Radio 2.
Skerryvore XX is now expecting attendances of around 7,000, with buses running direct to the event from major hubs including Edinburgh, Newcastle, Berwick, Hawick and Galashiels.
The nearby Borders Event Centre has space for up to 300 campervans for those looking to spend the night in Kelso, and day and overnight parking will be available at the castle.
Skerryvore XX will take place on Saturday 31 May 2025. Tickets are on sale now at skerryvore.com/xx
Image credit: credit Kevin Kerr
Gilded Balloon has unveiled a huge line-up of comedy stars to take part in a special ‘40 Years of Fringe’ in conversation series, to celebrate the venue’s 40th anniversary.
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MOREAhead of its programme launch on 2 July, EIFF venues will include Filmhouse, Cameo Cinema, Vue Omni and a new pop-up screen at National Galleries Scotland: National.
READ MOREOne of Edinburgh’s most popular city centre restaurants has started a new dining chapter at its famous Castle Street venue.
READ MOREIHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) today announces the opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh - Haymarket, a 195-room flagship hotel bringing a fresh energy to the city’s West End.
READ MOREPupils from local Edinburgh primary schools swapped the classroom for beekeeping as they had the chance to visit Fort Kinnaird’s thriving beehives for a day buzzing with educational fun.
READ MOREEdinburgh started to unwrap its annual Christmas present, with the announcement of this year’s festive celebration dates and a first hint of what to expect this year.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti performed alongside guitarist Plínio Fernandes as part of a series of NHS Festival Sessions.
READ MORECineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.
READ MOREThis summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MOREThe Bothy Boutique in central Edinburgh is the retail arm of The Breakfast Bothy, a small grassroots charity supporting people in the community who are experiencing homelessness.
READ MOREDrummohr Camping and Glamping Site at Musselburgh was named Camping Site of the Year in the 2025 Scottish Hospitality Awards.
READ MOREWith the Fringe Festival right on the doorstep, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is once again hosting a fantastic array of shows and activities!
READ MOREPupils at Newtongrange Primary School have even more reason to celebrate the end of a successful academic year, having just been awarded the UNICEF UK Gold Award.
READ MOREEdinburgh’s landmark cinema Filmhouse has today revealed images of its new screens and spaces ahead of its public reopening tomorrow Friday 27 June.
READ MORESummerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MOREDrawings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Titian will be among 45 Italian Renaissance drawings going on display in Scotland for the first time this October.
READ MOREEdinburgh Climate Festival returns on 28th June. A free festival that aims to celebrate & inspirate climate action in our local communities.
READ MOREThe biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MOREThis weekend, in celebration of Edinburgh Pride, Pret A Manger is turning up the sparkle with an in-shop glow-up station!
READ MORECheck out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!
READ MORECafe Calton, located at the top of Calton Hill and offering panoramic views of Edinburgh, has opened in Edinburgh.
READ MOREMichael Harrison, in association with Cameron Mackintosh, is delighted to announce the full casting for a major UK and Ireland tour of MISS SAIGON, including a run at Edinburgh Playhouse.
READ MOREA lineup of world-class musicians at the forefront of their fields are today added to the Edinburgh International Festival programme.
READ MOREA community-owned woodland in East Lothian is undergoing a remarkable transformation thanks to a grassroots replanting project supported by Loganair’s GreenSkies Community Fund.
READ MOREDuck & Waffle Edinburgh is proud to announce its vibrant celebration of Edinburgh Pride, honouring the city's LGBTQIA+ community.
READ MORELost Shore Surf Resort, Scotland’s most exciting new holiday destination, is making waves for families this summer - with free surf lessons and sessions for kids throughout July.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Film Festival has announced that the six short films created as part of the inaugural NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab will have their World Premieres this year.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.
READ MORE