The Tannahill Weavers

Schedule

Sat Mar 28 2026 at 07:30 pm to 10:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Franklin Junior High | Des Moines, IA

Advertisement
The Tannahill Weavers' repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original
ballads and lullabies.
About this Event

The Tannahill Weavers

The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland's premier traditional bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies. Their music demonstrates to old and young alike the rich and varied musical heritage of the Celtic people. These versatile musicians have received worldwide accolades consistently over the years for their exuberant performances and outstanding recording efforts that seemingly can't get better...yet continue to do just that.

The Tannahills have turned their acoustic excitement loose on audiences with an electrifying effect. They have that unique combination of traditional melodies, driving rhythmic accompaniment, and rich vocals that make their performances unforgettable. As the Winnipeg Free Press noted, "The Tannahill Weavers - properly harnessed - could probably power an entire city for a year on the strength of last night's concert alone. The music may be old time Celtic, but the drive and enthusiasm are akin to straight ahead rock and roll."

Born of a session in Paisley, Scotland and named for the town's historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, the group has made an international name for its special brand of Scottish music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. The Tannahill Weavers began to attract attention when founding members Roy Gullane and Phil Smillie added the full-sized highland bagpipes to the on-stage presentations, the first professional Scottish folk group to successfully do so. The combination of the powerful pipe solos, Roy's driving guitar backing and lead vocals, and Phil's ethereal flute playing breathed new life into Scotland's vast repertoire of traditional melodies and songs.

Three years and a dozen countries later, the Tannahills were the toast of Europe, having won the Scotstar Award for Folk Record of the Year with their third album, The Tannahill Weavers. Canada came the next summer, with thousands at the national festivals in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto screaming an approval that echoed throughout the Canadian media. The Regina Leader-Post wrote, "The Tannahill Weavers personify Celtic music, and if you are given to superlatives, you have to call their talent 'awesome'."

Since their first visit to the United States in 1981, the Tannahills' unique combination of traditional melodies on pipes, flute and fiddle, driving rhythms on guitar and bouzouki, and powerful three and four part vocal harmonies have taken the musical community by storm. As Garrison Keillor, the host of "Prairie Home Companion", remarked, "These guys are a bunch of heroes every time they go on tour in the States".

Over the years the Tannies have been trailblazers for Scottish music, and their tight harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements have won them fans from beyond the folk and Celtic music scenes.  In 2011 the band was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, and in 2018 they released their highly acclaimed 50th Anniversary album Òrach ("Golden" in Gaelic) on award-winning label Compass Records. In 2019 they were nominated for Folk Band of the Year at the Trad Awards, and in 2021 they were joined by Iain MacGillivray, Scotland's youngest Clan leader, on pipes and fiddle. Iain is involved in such high profile productions as Outlander and Men in Kilts, and has brought his own following to the band.As they approach their 57th anniversary, the Tannahill Weavers are firmly established as one of the premier groups on the concert stage. From reflective ballads to footstomping reels and jigs, the variety and range of the material they perform is matched only by their enthusiasm and lively Celtic spirits.


Venue Info

The auditorium is located at the corner of Franklin and 48th St. There is plenty of parking north of the building in the North parking lot that is closest to 48th St. and Hickman Road. This entrance has a handicap ramp and handicapped parking. Please do not park in the South parking lot. This lot is small and reserved for staff workers and the band and is not handicapped accessible.

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Franklin Junior High, 4801 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 39.19

The Celtic Music Association

Host or Publisher The Celtic Music Association

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Des Moines

Des Moines Comic & Toy Show - Free Event March 28-29 Merle Hay Mall
Sat, 28 Mar at 10:00 am Des Moines Comic & Toy Show - Free Event March 28-29 Merle Hay Mall

Merle Hay Mall

ART POKEMON
Des Moines Symphony Orchestra - The Wizard of Oz in Concert at Des Moines Civic Center
Sat, 28 Mar at 01:30 pm Des Moines Symphony Orchestra - The Wizard of Oz in Concert at Des Moines Civic Center

Des Moines Civic Center

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Wizard of Oz in Concert with the Des Moines Symphony
Sat, 28 Mar at 03:30 pm The Wizard of Oz in Concert with the Des Moines Symphony

221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA, United States, Iowa 50309

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
bbno$
Sat, 28 Mar at 06:00 pm bbno$

Val Air Ballroom

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
bbno$
Sun, 29 Mar bbno$

Val Air Ballroom

MUSIC
bbno$ at Val Air Ballroom
Sun, 29 Mar at 07:30 pm bbno$ at Val Air Ballroom

Val Air Ballroom

bbno$ (16+)
Mon, 30 Mar bbno$ (16+)

Val Air Ballroom

CALENDAR
Parking bbno$ (16+)
Mon, 30 Mar Parking bbno$ (16+)

Val Air Ballroom

CONTESTS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Season Tickets - Celtic Music Association 2025 - 2026 Concert Series
Thu, 25 Sep at 07:30 pm Season Tickets - Celtic Music Association 2025 - 2026 Concert Series

Des Moines

CONCERTS ENTERTAINMENT
A.J. Croce
Wed, 01 Oct at 06:00 pm A.J. Croce

Hoyt Sherman Place Theater

ART THEATRE
WILLIS in Des Moines
Wed, 01 Oct at 07:00 pm WILLIS in Des Moines

Wooly's

CONCERTS MUSIC
The Band Feel w\/ Emily How
Wed, 01 Oct at 07:00 pm The Band Feel w/ Emily How

1159 24th Street Des Moines IA 50311

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Leonid and Friends at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium
Wed, 01 Oct Leonid and Friends at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium

Hoyt Sherman Auditorium

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
AJ Croce at Hoyt Sherman Place
Thu, 02 Oct at 08:00 pm AJ Croce at Hoyt Sherman Place

Hoyt Sherman Place

CALENDAR
A.J. Croce
Fri, 03 Oct at 01:00 am A.J. Croce

Hoyt Sherman Place

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
American Aquarium w\/ Collin Nash
Fri, 03 Oct at 07:00 pm American Aquarium w/ Collin Nash

1159 24th Street Des Moines IA 50311

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Danae Hays at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium
Fri, 03 Oct Danae Hays at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium

Hoyt Sherman Auditorium

Jonas Brothers
Sat, 04 Oct at 06:00 pm Jonas Brothers

Casey's Center

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Jonas Brothers
Sat, 04 Oct at 06:00 pm Jonas Brothers

Wells Fargo Arena - IA

CALENDAR
Paul McCartney
Sat, 04 Oct at 07:00 pm Paul McCartney

Casey's Center

What's Happening Next in Des Moines?

Discover Des Moines Events