Highland Talent Rising: UHI Alness Showcases Emerging Talent
Does the Highlands have a steady stream of young musical and production talent coming through? Read on to find out.
UHI Alness Campus recently hosted its “Tea in the Car Park” open day — though the event was moved indoors due to weather concerns, the atmosphere stayed warm and vibrant throughout. With seven artists and bands performing, it was a fantastic showcase of the next wave of Highland talent.
Within Control
First up were Within Control, a three-piece band (usually a four-piece — hence, “Almost Within Control” might’ve been more fitting for the day!). Despite the absence of a member, the group powered through a strong three-song set. Lead singer Alex gave a powerhouse vocal performance, delivering confident and emotive vocals while playing acoustic guitar. With a tight rhythm section behind her, this trio set the tone perfectly for the day ahead. It’s worth highlighting how refreshing it is to see a female lead in the Highlands scene, where female vocalists are still few and far between.
The Eejits
Next came The Eejits, a talented trio consisting of two violinists and an acoustic guitarist. Their set featured two traditional Scottish tunes followed by “Dream Catcher,” a beautiful original composition by guitarist Polly Noble. Traditional Scottish music is deeply loved in the Highlands, but there’s always room for more — especially when it’s played this well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this trio gracing stages at The Gathering and other folk festivals soon.
Glass Foxes
Returning to the Alness Campus for a second year, Glass Foxes delivered a rock-infused set that was a welcome injection of energy. This four-piece band clearly loves what they do, and their sound reminded everyone that rock ’n’ roll is far from dead. Their performance was tight, lively, and full of promise — here’s hoping they keep pushing forward.
The Skelps
The Skelps, another three-piece, continued the rock vibe with a gritty edge. Their lead singer and guitarist stood out with some seriously slick guitar work — this guy has educated fingers and isn’t shy about showing them off. It was also brilliant to see both The Skelps and Glass Foxes featuring female drummers. Given how rare it is to see female drummers in the local scene, it was genuinely exciting to see more diversity behind behind the kit.
Alastair Martin
Next up was solo artist Alastair Martin, who opened with a Brazilian love song sung in Portuguese — unexpected, but beautifully delivered. He was later joined by the sublime Alashea on acoustic guitar for the rest of his set, creating a captivating musical pairing.
Alashea (Solo & with That Was Us)
Closing out the day was Alashea, first with a solo set and then joined by her band That Was Us. For me, Alashea was the undeniable star of the event. A gifted singer-songwriter with a sharp sense of humour and stage presence, she captivated the audience with every note. One highlight was her song “Fin’s Mum,” which she introduced with a cheeky backstory — admitting she had a crush on Fin’s mum, before gesturing to her guitarist and adding, “This is Fin.” The audience loved it.
Final Thoughts
This event was a brilliant reminder of the depth and diversity of talent coming through the Highlands. From rock to folk to world music, the future of the local scene looks bright — and thanks to platforms like the UHI Alness open day, we get to witness these rising talents in their early days. I, for one, can’t wait to see where they go next.
Huge thanks to Steve Bull, Robbie Dunsmore, Peter, Kara and Liam for their studious work that is paying off in spades.
Words and pictures © Alan Cruickshank
