Chris Amer

One of the most interesting voices on the Scottish music scene today, guitarist Chris Amer numbers among the new generation of musicians exploring the possibilities of improvised music in Scotland. He has established a reputation for his original playing style and his unique 7-string theorbed tenor guitar built by Taran Guitars, Fife. At Celtic Connections 2026, Chris launched his debut album, ‘Making Peace With What Is’, a collection inspired by his Grandfather’s photographs of life in mid-century Orkney. This music comes to Under Canvas this year, brought to life by peers Fergus McCreadie (piano) and Matt Carmichael (saxophone).

Salt House

Salt House have been a mainstay on the folk scene for over a decade. The band’s reputation as thoughtful and innovative interpreters of both old ballads and contemporary songs has been solidified with acclaimed album releases and extensive touring. Described as a "gentle, lulling delight" by The Guardian, Salt House blend heartfelt vocal and instrumental interplay, offering listeners a moment of reflection and connection. New songs that sound like they’ve always been here, ancient ballads woken up. Poems given melodies they’ve long deserved. Salt House's sound is influenced by the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, Northumberland and Shetland, the respective homes of band members Ewan MacPherson (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars), Anna Hughes (vocals, fiddle, viola, tenor guitar) and Jenny Sturgeon (vocals, keys, guitar). They incorporate their natural surroundings into the fabric of the music that speaks of a shared love of place, people, and evolving tradition. More about the band members: Jenny Sturgeon, who has a PhD in seabird ecology, is known for her introspective solo work and collaborations with Birdvox and Outliers. Through her creative output as a sound artist and songwriter she explores themes of landscape and human connections. Her solo project ‘The Living Mountain’ based on the writing of Nan Shepherd was released to wide critical acclaim. Anna Hughes, a versatile multi-instrumentalist and composer, draws on her transitory life experiences to create music that reflects forgotten landscapes and the wonders of the natural world. Working across multi-disciplinary projects Anna is a sought after collaborator as well as working with duo project Watersmeet. Ewan MacPherson, is a multi-instrumentalist and singer with over two decades of experience working at the forefront of the folk / trad music scene. He toured extensively with Shooglenifty for thirteen years, was a member of Malinky and Nu-Nordic Quartet Fribo. His session work includes working with a variety of artists from the British Isles and beyond. His most recent solo project album ‘Hushman’ was described by KLOF Magazine as “…a little masterpiece of confidence and understatement. Wonderful.” For those seeking a deeper understanding of Salt House and their individual artistic endeavours, we encourage you to explore their official website or connect with them on social media for updates on their music and upcoming performances.