Oxstock 2026

Karine Polwart is a writer, musician, and storyteller whose work evokes a richness of place, hidden histories, scientific enquiry and folklore. She intimately conjures beauty and magic, sorrow and darkness with lyricism and tenderness. She is currently Dr Gavin Wallace Fellow for 2025-26 via the Fruitmarket, Edinburgh and Creative Scotland. Her research and writing under the brief Attached to Land is focused on the coastal edge lands and stone ridges of the Forth Valley, East Lothian and Borders.

Jemma Neville is a writer and journalist. Her book, Constitution Street, finding hope in an age of anxiety, tells the real-life stories that connect a group of diverse neighbours on a street in Leith, won The Creative Edinburgh Award. She has written for The Guardian, The Times and The Observer on issues such as maternal healthcare, the environment and time-capsules.

Brought up in rural Galloway, Robyn is an award-winning singer and song leader, known for her deeply emotive performances of traditional song in the Scots, English and Gaelic languages. She has collaborated with many of Scotland’s finest instrumentalists and leading ensembles and, accompanied by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, she has performed at Proms in the Park and for the BBC’s Burns Night celebrations.

Her most recent solo album – Songs of Robert Burns, a collection of the much-loved songs of Scotland’s national bard – has been met with critical acclaim. She shares her talent and passion for traditional music with audiences and communities across Scotland, and internationally.

Blue Rose Code is Edinburgh-born songwriter Ross Wilson, a contemporary alt-folk artist and songwriter, described as ‘a meeting of Van Morrison and a young John Martyn, shipwrecked with a bunch of Motown records’.

Influenced by folk, jazz, soul and pop, Wilson has shared the stage with many celebrated writers including Bert Jansch, Kris Drever, King Creosote, John Renbourn and James Yorkston.
Heard regularly in session for the BBC, STV, Alba, TG4, Virgin Radio, live performance is where Blue Rose Code connects most strongly strongly with an audience. A nomad, both geographically and musically, Ross writes from the heart, and his 2017 album, The Water of Leith, addresses themes of love, loss, travel, home, accepting the past and embracing the future.

Led by musical Director, Margaret Bridge, a mezzo-soprano and conductor from Dublin, Ireland, Lauder Community Choir sing a variety of music including pop, classical and folk. In 2018, the Choir won the Mixed Choirs class at Glasgow Music Festival.

The church at Channelkirk, the oldest church in Lauderdale, was founded between the 7th and 9th Centuries and provides a beautiful and historic backdrop for the choir to perform in.

Jenna’s musical journey was shaped by early tuition from legendary Shetland musicians Tom Anderson and Willie Hunter, and she is renowned for her distinctive tone as a performer and composer. Jenna tours internationally with Blazin’ Fiddles, one of Scotland’s most celebrated traditional music groups.

Her long standing musical partner, Harris Playfair, is an expressive pianist and composer. Together Reid and Playfair are celebrated for their dynamic energy and deep musical connection.
She has released several acclaimed albums, most recently One Day, which captures the unparalleled musical relationship between two of Scotland’s most virtuosic traditional musicians.

Open all weekend from midday to midnight, The Tower Hotel in Oxton will host a number of musicians and performers on Saturday and Sunday. Free and no need to book.

Our festival is grateful for support from DLX, Dunlaw and Toddleburn Trusts and support from the National Lottery.

This event is proud to be PRS registered.