Rebellious Truth 2025: Joy Dunlop and Fraser Fifield In briefSpeaker - Joy DunlopChair - Dr Lori Watson (Celtic and Scottish Studies)Title - No Wrong Path: A Gaelic Learning JourneyVenue - Traverse Theatre (in person) or online via live streamBook now on the Edinburgh Tradfest websiteThe 2025 LectureOur fifth annual Rebellious Truth lecture-recital in collaboration with Edinburgh Tradfest is by Gaelic singer, broadcaster, weather presenter, choir leader, language teacher, and step dancer, Joy Dunlop.Brought up in an English-speaking household in Connel, Argyll, Joy Dunlop was introduced to Scottish Gaelic at nine years old, when the Royal National Mòd was held in Oban. This performing opportunity grew into a love for Gaelic singing and an unexpected foray into Gaelic immersion learning that changed the course of her life completely.Up until that moment, the young Joy had been planning to pursue a career in medicine. This volte-face resulted in her studying at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (the Gaelic college on Skye), competing in the Royal National Mòd (it took her four years of entering to secure the coveted gold medal) and becoming the passionate advocate for her Gaelic language and culture she is today.The talk will give insight into her own Gaelic journey; from learning Gaelic songs phonetically, to being the face of multi-platform learning brand, SpeakGaelic. Joy will discuss her journey to fluency, and both the opportunities and challenges that she encountered on the way.The event will be chaired by Dr Lori Watson (Celtic and Scottish Studies) and will also include a smattering of music from Joy, and a special set by our Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser Fifield.About Joy DunlopJoy is a Gaelic singer, broadcaster and Scottish step-dancer. With her trademark poise and depth of knowledge, Joy’s warmth and enthusiasm have made her increasing in-demand in television and radio broadcasts alike; from presenting the weather on both BBC Scotland and BBC Alba to hosting the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.As a fluent Gaelic speaker, with an honours degree in Gaelic Language and Culture, audiences are often surprised to learn that she is did not grow up with the language at home. For anyone who has considered learning Gaelic (or any other language) she is the perfect role model.About Fraser FifieldFraser Fifield is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Scotland, performing on low whistle, saxophone, and bagpipes. His distinctive instrumental voice draws influence from many sources; Scottish folk is identifiably present but also Jazz, Indian, Balkan and more. He currently holds the post of Traditional Artist in Residence at Edinburgh University.From the mid-90’s, Fraser has worked with many artists in the Scottish folk scene, including Old Blind Dogs, Salsa Celtica, Capercaillie, and Karen Matheson, while further afield, Zakir Hussein, Afro-Celt Sound-System, Balkanopolis, and Nordanians.In 2014, his low whistle featured on Montenegro’s Eurovision entry song, followed in 2015 with an award from Hands Up for Trad for Innovation in Scottish Traditional Music. Celtic Connections Festival 2020 commissioned ‘Secret Histories’, performed in its opening concert by the 70-strong Grit Orchestra.Meet our Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser FifieldHow to attendThis is an in-person event at Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh.You can also watch the lecture live on Edinburgh Tradfest's website. A link to the live stream will be published closer to the date.Reserve tickets for the in-person eventRebellious Truth LectureAs part of the SSSA at 70 celebrations, Celtic and Scottish Studies partnered with Edinburgh Tradfest to live stream the first Rebellious Truth Lecture in May 2021.Through presentation and live performance, the Rebellious Truth Lecture explores the importance of traditional arts and the role of traditional artists of all backgrounds and practices in addressing societal concerns: environment, sustainability, identity, social cohesion, health, understandings of economy, employment, education, and diversity.Read our blog post about the first annual Rebellious Truth LecturePrevious lectures in the seriesSpeakerDateVenueThemeArchie Fisher12 May 2024Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Online (live stream on Edinburgh Tradfest's website)Once Upon A Song: Seven Decades of Scottish FolkMischa Macpherson7 May 2023Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Online (live stream on Edinburgh Tradfest's website)The mental pressures that traditional musicians face, and insights into the joys of playing the music you loveDr Úna Monaghan3 May 2022Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Online (live stream on Edinburgh Tradfest's website)121 Stories: The impact of gender on participation in Irish traditional musicKarine Polwart10 May 2021Online (live stream from St Cecilia’s Hall)Ecological observations relating to songs and creative projectsAre you interested in studying with us?Home of the School of Scottish Studies Archives, we are the longest established Celtic department in Scotland.Choose from a wide range of undergraduate degrees in Celtic, Scottish Ethnology, Scottish Studies, and Primary Education with Gaelic, or a range of postgraduate programmes, including our Masters by Research in Scottish Ethnology.Find out more about Celtic and Scottish Studies Tags Celtic and Scottish Studies May 11 2025 14.00 - 15.30 Rebellious Truth 2025: Joy Dunlop and Fraser Fifield Join us for the annual Rebellious Truth lecture by Gaelic broadcaster and singer, Joy Dunlop, with a performance by Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser Fifield. Traverse Theatre 10 Cambridge Street Edinburgh EH1 2ED Scotland, United Kingdom Reserve your ticket on the Edinburgh Tradfest website
Rebellious Truth 2025: Joy Dunlop and Fraser Fifield In briefSpeaker - Joy DunlopChair - Dr Lori Watson (Celtic and Scottish Studies)Title - No Wrong Path: A Gaelic Learning JourneyVenue - Traverse Theatre (in person) or online via live streamBook now on the Edinburgh Tradfest websiteThe 2025 LectureOur fifth annual Rebellious Truth lecture-recital in collaboration with Edinburgh Tradfest is by Gaelic singer, broadcaster, weather presenter, choir leader, language teacher, and step dancer, Joy Dunlop.Brought up in an English-speaking household in Connel, Argyll, Joy Dunlop was introduced to Scottish Gaelic at nine years old, when the Royal National Mòd was held in Oban. This performing opportunity grew into a love for Gaelic singing and an unexpected foray into Gaelic immersion learning that changed the course of her life completely.Up until that moment, the young Joy had been planning to pursue a career in medicine. This volte-face resulted in her studying at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (the Gaelic college on Skye), competing in the Royal National Mòd (it took her four years of entering to secure the coveted gold medal) and becoming the passionate advocate for her Gaelic language and culture she is today.The talk will give insight into her own Gaelic journey; from learning Gaelic songs phonetically, to being the face of multi-platform learning brand, SpeakGaelic. Joy will discuss her journey to fluency, and both the opportunities and challenges that she encountered on the way.The event will be chaired by Dr Lori Watson (Celtic and Scottish Studies) and will also include a smattering of music from Joy, and a special set by our Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser Fifield.About Joy DunlopJoy is a Gaelic singer, broadcaster and Scottish step-dancer. With her trademark poise and depth of knowledge, Joy’s warmth and enthusiasm have made her increasing in-demand in television and radio broadcasts alike; from presenting the weather on both BBC Scotland and BBC Alba to hosting the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.As a fluent Gaelic speaker, with an honours degree in Gaelic Language and Culture, audiences are often surprised to learn that she is did not grow up with the language at home. For anyone who has considered learning Gaelic (or any other language) she is the perfect role model.About Fraser FifieldFraser Fifield is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Scotland, performing on low whistle, saxophone, and bagpipes. His distinctive instrumental voice draws influence from many sources; Scottish folk is identifiably present but also Jazz, Indian, Balkan and more. He currently holds the post of Traditional Artist in Residence at Edinburgh University.From the mid-90’s, Fraser has worked with many artists in the Scottish folk scene, including Old Blind Dogs, Salsa Celtica, Capercaillie, and Karen Matheson, while further afield, Zakir Hussein, Afro-Celt Sound-System, Balkanopolis, and Nordanians.In 2014, his low whistle featured on Montenegro’s Eurovision entry song, followed in 2015 with an award from Hands Up for Trad for Innovation in Scottish Traditional Music. Celtic Connections Festival 2020 commissioned ‘Secret Histories’, performed in its opening concert by the 70-strong Grit Orchestra.Meet our Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser FifieldHow to attendThis is an in-person event at Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh.You can also watch the lecture live on Edinburgh Tradfest's website. A link to the live stream will be published closer to the date.Reserve tickets for the in-person eventRebellious Truth LectureAs part of the SSSA at 70 celebrations, Celtic and Scottish Studies partnered with Edinburgh Tradfest to live stream the first Rebellious Truth Lecture in May 2021.Through presentation and live performance, the Rebellious Truth Lecture explores the importance of traditional arts and the role of traditional artists of all backgrounds and practices in addressing societal concerns: environment, sustainability, identity, social cohesion, health, understandings of economy, employment, education, and diversity.Read our blog post about the first annual Rebellious Truth LecturePrevious lectures in the seriesSpeakerDateVenueThemeArchie Fisher12 May 2024Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Online (live stream on Edinburgh Tradfest's website)Once Upon A Song: Seven Decades of Scottish FolkMischa Macpherson7 May 2023Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Online (live stream on Edinburgh Tradfest's website)The mental pressures that traditional musicians face, and insights into the joys of playing the music you loveDr Úna Monaghan3 May 2022Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Online (live stream on Edinburgh Tradfest's website)121 Stories: The impact of gender on participation in Irish traditional musicKarine Polwart10 May 2021Online (live stream from St Cecilia’s Hall)Ecological observations relating to songs and creative projectsAre you interested in studying with us?Home of the School of Scottish Studies Archives, we are the longest established Celtic department in Scotland.Choose from a wide range of undergraduate degrees in Celtic, Scottish Ethnology, Scottish Studies, and Primary Education with Gaelic, or a range of postgraduate programmes, including our Masters by Research in Scottish Ethnology.Find out more about Celtic and Scottish Studies Tags Celtic and Scottish Studies May 11 2025 14.00 - 15.30 Rebellious Truth 2025: Joy Dunlop and Fraser Fifield Join us for the annual Rebellious Truth lecture by Gaelic broadcaster and singer, Joy Dunlop, with a performance by Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser Fifield. Traverse Theatre 10 Cambridge Street Edinburgh EH1 2ED Scotland, United Kingdom Reserve your ticket on the Edinburgh Tradfest website
May 11 2025 14.00 - 15.30 Rebellious Truth 2025: Joy Dunlop and Fraser Fifield Join us for the annual Rebellious Truth lecture by Gaelic broadcaster and singer, Joy Dunlop, with a performance by Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser Fifield.
