Ryan Young is a Scottish fiddle player working within the traditional music of Scotland. His playing is noted for its distinctive tone and phrasing, with an approach that places melody and expression at the centre of the music.

He first came to wider attention with his debut album, produced by four-time GRAMMY winner Jesse Lewis (Béla Fleck, Yo-Yo Ma), establishing the foundations of a career that has since developed an international reach. He has toured extensively across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, and is recognised for a style that draws on both Scottish and Irish traditions.

Young is a multi award-winning artist and has received multiple nominations at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, including back-to-back nominations in recent years and most recently for Musician of the Year in 2025. He has also been a finalist in both the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.

His recordings have received consistent critical attention, with The Scotsman awarding five-star reviews across his work. In live performance, he has been described as “a force of nature.”

Young’s third studio album, due for release in May 2026, is produced by and features Martin Hayes. Recorded with engineer Patrick Phillips (The Gloaming, Peter Gabriel), the album includes contributions from Stuart McCallum (The Breath, Cinematic Orchestra) and Louis Campbell (Sam Lee, Sam Sweeney).

Reflecting on the project, Hayes said: “I had the pleasure of being in the studio with Ryan as producer of this latest recording. For the most part I just sat back and enjoyed the music as it unfolded. I have known Ryan and his music for many years, and it has been wonderful to witness its continuous evolution. On this recording you can hear his ability to inhabit the tunes fully and let them speak with honesty and depth. This is a deeply felt and soulful recording, drawing on both the Scottish and Irish traditions.”

“...a force of nature” ***** (5 STARS)

'...in a concert that was as soulful as it was electrifying.' - The Strad 2024

“I have known Ryan for many years and have watched his steady progress from student to accomplished fiddle player. He has created his own unique way of playing and is finding great emotional depth in his native Scottish Music. Ryan Young is an up and coming musician who is gaining more and more well deserved recognition. I feel that he has the potential to make a very significant contribution to the Scottish tradition.” - Martin Hayes

“In live performance, Young can appear possessed by his music. This may be a studio recording....but it captures Young in full, zestful flight, crisply accompanied by guitarist Craig Irving. Echoes of Irish mentor Martin Hayes - the swooping lilt and slow burn - can be heard...” ***** (5 STARS) The Scotsman

“Ryan’s music is inflected with a magical, lyrical quality. When he plays he radiates a hypnotic effect that is truly wonderful”
- Duncan Chisholm

'Being a fiddler myself I have heard many, many up and coming fiddlers from Scotland, but I am blown away by this singular musician...
Ryan, I feel, is a musician with a great gift. He has followed down a path that is his alone with the music. His playing is unique and soulful. I’ve heard him in concert and can only liken the experience to being lifted and taken on a journey. His playing is at once moving and thrilling, and he sweeps the audience along with him.’ - Liz Carroll 2022

“Hayes has already declared himself an admirer, as has acclaimed Irish- American fiddler Liz Carroll, which pretty much tells you all you need to know about this remarkable musician” - ***** (5 STARS) RnR Magazine

‘Every once in a while a flashing musical comet appears and sweeps everything in its path. This is the case of the young Scottish violinist Ryan Young, virtuoso with precision and inventive playing...’ - Festival No Border, Brest 2022