A CARDROSS musician is one of eight of Scotland’s young folk musicians embarking on a tour set to start in Helensburgh.

The finalists and winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Competition 2016 are set to start the tour in Helensburgh on Tuesday, May 30 before visiting the Isle of Lismore, Fort William, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Orkney.

Following the tour the group of eight will be in the studio working on an album, due for release in July.

One member of the talented group is Ryan Young, from Cardross, who plays the fiddle. Ryan graduated with an MMus in Scottish Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2016 and as well as being a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician in both 2015 and 2016, he was twice a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards.

He began recording his debut album in September with Grammy award-winner Jesse Lewis, which is set to be released this year.

Ryan will perform alongside winner Mohsen Amini from Glasgow, Claire Hastings from Dumfries, Hannah MacRae from Lochaber, Jessica Burton from Orkney, Murray Willis from Lismore and Robbie Greig from Edinburgh.

The group will be joined by accompanist Jean Damei.

Audiences will be treated to a mix of new material written and composed by the young musicians as well as arrangements of traditional tunes.

The album will be recorded and mastered at the renowned Castlesound Studios, Pencaitland, East Lothian.

Sarah Mcadam, creative learning officer at Creative Scotland, said: “The TMSA Young Trad Tour is a great opportunity to celebrate the exciting young talent emerging from Scotland’s traditional music sector and as a launchpad for young musicians at the beginning of their careers.

“The depth of talent within the line-up of the 2016 Finalist tour is a testament to this, with 2016 Young Traditional Musician of the Year winner, Mohsen Amini, having since been nominated for ‘Musician of the Year’ at the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

“We’re looking forward to following the tour and the paths that the finalists take in their future careers.”

The tour kicks off on Tuesday, May 30 at The Tower in Helensburgh. For tickets, or further information on the tour, visit www.tmsa.org.uk or contact the TMSA national office, at office@tmsa.org.uk or tel: 0792 253 3915.