Thistleradio

31/12/2025

Wish you a Happy Hogmanay* and all the best for 2026!
According to William Blake, "hindsight is a wonderful thing but foresight is better". We can't see what lies ahead across the musical horizon, but here's a chance to enjoy some of the music that was emerging 16 years ago, as we crossed the threshold from old year to new. Click below for my Mixcloud channel - listen and follow/subscribe! (*The Scots New Year's eve, celebrated with lots of unique traditons. Explore further: https://forest-healing.co.uk/articles/hogmanay-and-nature-connection)
https://www.mixcloud.com/FionaRitchie/the-thistle-shamrock-new-year-new-voices/

Open your heart to fresh sounds from some unforgettable voices and discover why Celtic singers and songs have such international appeal. Listen for Pauline Scanlon, Bodega, Cara Dillon, Loreena McKennitt. This episode, and the above descrition, originally aired January 7, 2010 on NPR. ~ 31st Decembe...

24/12/2025

A special treasure from the Thistle archives.: fiddler Bonnie Rideout chats about her musical Christmas and we meet Scottish children and seniors to reflect on their Christmas memories and hopes. Along with Bonnie there's also music from William Jackson, Maggie Sansone, Altan and more. Through all the winter festivals I wish you peace, joy, and hope.

A special treasure from the Thistle archives.: With traditional carols and seasonal favorites to enjoy, we chat with fiddler Bonnie Rideout about her musical Christmas and meet Scottish children and seniors to reflect on their Christmas memories and hopes. This episode, with the above description, o...

20/12/2025

As promised, a gift under your musical Christmas tree! Stream my special show here and follow my Mixcloud channel so you don't miss anything coming up. Hope this gets you in the spirit with music from Sting Tim Edey, Emily Smith, Al Petteway, Kim Roberston and more.

Join Fiona Ritchie for a winter walk along the banks of the River Tay in Scotland, accompanied by music from the Celtic Christmas repertoire. Among ancient trees and restored riverside woodlands, Fiona finds her favourite bench, and sits there to reflect upon the scenes of Midwinter. The location in...

18/12/2025

To celebrate my recently launched Mixcloud channel I'll offer an extra show this week: my Christmas special from last year, currently airing again on NPR Music. This show was awarded a silver trophy at the 2025 New York Festivals Radio Awards for Best Entertainment Music Special. Subscribe now to my channel (it's free) and you won't miss! https://www.mixcloud.com/FionaRitchie/

17/12/2025

More from the archives on Mixcloud:
Pete Seeger was chopping logs outside on a cold November day when I came to interview him for The Thistle & Shamrock in 2008. Then age 89, he was full of memories, reflections, and generous wisdom to share. The singer, songwriter, musician, and activist died in 2014. His voice lives on as an inspiration to people of all convictions who believe that music can make a difference.

"There is hope for the world." Pete Seeger. Hear the reflections of one of the great figures of American folksong, along with music from a remarkable life, recorded during Fiona's visit with Pete Seeger. This episode, with the above description, originally aired November 26, 2009 on NPR. Image: Fion...

09/12/2025

Our latest show from the Thistle archive has just dropped! Listen and view a full playlist of artists, tracks, albums and labels. Do subscribe to my Mixcloud channel (FionaRitchie) and you won't miss a beat!

If you bend a tradition too far could you break it? Decide for yourself as we listen to some groundbreaking music from Celtic roots that leads us forward in new and unexpected ways. Featuring Baka Beyond, Karen Matheson, Andy Irvine & Davy Spillane, Kim Robertson, Ross Ainslie and more. This episode...

04/12/2025

I'm planning to share my Special Thistle & Shamrock Christmas show from last year on Mixcloud! Click here www.mixcloud.com/FionaRitchie and SUBSCRIBE (free) to be alerted when this one-off show streams and you'll not miss an award-winning hour with guitarist Tim Edey singer-songwriter Sting, singer Emily Smith, multi-instrumental duo Al Petteway and Amy White, and more. Recorded out and about in the Scottish Midwinter. ❄️ (Below: Niel Gow, Scottish fiddler 1727-1807. Photo F.Ritchie)

03/12/2025

Our latest archive episode now streaming on Mixcloud includes musical legends Dick Gaughan, Eddi Reader, Christy Moore, Maighread & Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, John McCusker and more musical heroes who have paved the way. Subscribe/follow and don't miss any updates!

Meet some musicians who are best known on their home turf as we relish taking their music to wider audiences, including musical legends Dick Gaughan, Eddi Reader, Christy Moore, Maighread & Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and more. This episode, with the description, originally aired October 28, 2009 on NPR....

30/11/2025

For all those celebrating, I hope your Thanksgiving brought you fellowship, food, and gratitude. For those having a quieter time, I hope you found all you were seeking. I’m looking forward to sharing another episode from The Thistle & Shamrock archives this week, streaming straight to you on Mixcloud. Be sure to follow/subscribe (free!) so you don't miss any episodes!

Fiona Ritchie is on Mixcloud. Listen for free to their radio shows, DJ mix sets and Podcasts

27/11/2025

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving one and all and say hello to this beautiful boy: a rescued turkey near my home in Scotland. ❤️ 🦃

26/11/2025

We're heading back into the archives of The Thistle & Shamrock® to stream another show on Mixcloud. The latest show from back in 2009 features traditional and contemporary songs and singers, with Eddi Reader, Luka Bloom, Kate Rusby, Dougie MacLean, Michael Black, Karine Polwart and more. Follow/subscribe on Mixcloud so you don’t miss any episodes when they come out!

~ Traditional and contemporary song is thriving, with quality new releases coming out all the time. Enjoy a full hour of strong voices with Eddi Reader, Luka Bloom, Kate Rusby, Karine Polwart, Dougie MacLean, Michael Black and more. ~ This episode, with the above description, originally aired Octobe...

24/11/2025

I'm back on the airwaves through the streaming platform Mixcloud where I'm sharing the archives of the Thistle & Shamrock®. To start off, I've rewound 16 years to revisit shows from the fall of 2009. Last week it was an episode with essential Celtic tracks (in my opinion back then!), this week it'll be a collection of great singers including Luka Bloom, Kate Rusby, Karine Polwart and Dougie MacLean. Follow me at https://www.mixcloud.com/FionaRitchie/ so you don't miss any episodes. The latest one drops tomorrow. Tell your pals!