Thoren Ferguson
Thoren is an award winning fiddle player, composer and actor who leads The Jacobites, he plays the fiddle and calls the dances in the band.
He’s been playing Scottish and Irish trad and folk music since the age of 8, and was taught by the legendry Yla Steven. During that time he’s won several prestigious fiddle competitions in Scottish traditional music across the country.
In 2018 he was invited to compose ‘Armistice’, the music for the international music event Iplay4peace, in which hundreds of performers across the World came together to play at the same moment in time to mark 100 years since Armistice day.
He’s performed to HRH Princess Royal, composed ‘The Lads of Quintinshill’ and ‘The Somme’ and he’s played the critically acclaimed Wilfred Owen violin at events across the UK and by Wilfred Owens graveside in 2018 as part of the Armistice Commemoration.
He's also an actor, and has worked on TV, Film, theatre and radio over the years with recent TV credits including ‘Rebus’, ‘Vigil’, ‘Shetland’, ‘Emmerdale’, ‘Guilt’, ‘Payback, ‘The Spanish Princess’ and ‘The Midwich Cuckoos’, and film credits including ‘Consecration’ and ‘Matriarch’.
Ciaran Mcghee
Ciaran is a renowned folk singer/songwriter with over a decade of being in demand on the Edinburgh folk scene. He’s known for his powerful rich singing voice and as one of the hardest working musicians around.
He’s the lead singer, guitarist and caller in The Jacobites and he has an unrivalled repertoire of Scottish/Irish folk and rock/pop songs. With his love for guitar pedals and musical expression he creates stunning layers of sound making it sound like we’re a 5-piece band.
He’s recorded, released and performed 3 albums of original Scottish music. He’s performed and directed in 4 sell out fringe shows in 4 years and has lectured in America on Scottish folk songs and folk lore, and continues to perform at gigs all over the world.
He has a passion for Scottish and Irish music including the songs of burns and was invited to play at the Burns birth place museum in 2021.
Stuart Spence
Stuart is a versatile and experienced musician who’s been active on the Scottish and European music scene for over 20 years playing major music festivals like Celtic Connections for BBC Introducing, T in The Park, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Rockness, and Wickerman. As well as international festivals such as the Rotterdam Art Music Festival and Mestralia Festival.
Stuart has worked with various bands over the years and supported some great acts like, East 17, Girls Aloud, Jason Donovan, InMe, Fighting with Wire, Busted, Span, Kula Shaker, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Frightened Rabbit and Sucioperro plus many more including some top unsigned bands. Stuart was also the house drummer for the annual Miss Scotland event and has done various work for charity foundations such as Ronald McDonald and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Stuart was also the drummer for the house band on the BBC Hogmanay show led by Scottish folk legend Phil Cunningham MBE and has featured with Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire.
He’s played live on radio, TV and featured on studio albums and singles over the years. He’s also a busy educator with a passion for education, teaching one to one, group lessons and in schools and colleges across the country.
Stuart’s latest creation is the band ODIA, a worldwide collaboration project which has featured on BBC introducing for Celtic Connections, Traveling Folk and BBC Radio Scotland.