_{Philippe Cousin}

Yet another American singer: meet Kyle Carey. Born in New Hampshire, she was drawn to Scottish music – and Gaelic singing in particular – from a very early age. So much so that, whilst at university, she studied traditional Scottish Gaelic singing and music in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

_{Philippe Cousin}

Karen Marshalsay is from Scotland, and more specifically from Edinburgh. She is a highly acclaimed harpist, one of the few contemporary musicians to use the fingernail technique on Clarsach (Scottish harps) with gut and metal strings, as well as on the bray harp, which originates from the Scottish Lowlands; this little-known, more rhythmic instrument is better suited to ancient modal melodies and dances.

_{Philippe Cousin}

Also hailing from the USA, meet Seán Heely and Beth Patterson. Seán, whose family roots lie in Scotland and Ireland, speaks Gaelic, which allows him to include songs in that language on his albums. A violinist, harpist and singer, he is blessed with quite a fantastic talent.

_{Philippe Cousin}

For once, let’s welcome some Finnish musicians to this column. Aeldfire was formed through the collaboration of singer Salla Rimmi and musician Niilo Sirola (bouzouki, guitar, banjo, mandolin and bodhrán), who played and composed together for over ten years as part of the Finnish Celtic folk rock band Greenrose Faire.