Origins and early development
FARA is a fiddle-led Scottish folk group founded by Orkney musicians Jeana Leslie, Catriona Price and Kristan Harvey. The trio first performed under the name FARA in 2014 at Orkney Folk Festival, opening the festival’s late-night club. The name FARA is taken from the island of Fara in Scapa Flow, reflecting the group’s Orcadian roots.
The founding members shared schooldays in Orkney before pursuing further study at leading conservatoires. Between them, they attended the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music, undertaking courses that encompassed traditional folk music, classical performance, improvisation and contemporary composition. Their collective background in both traditional and formal training has shaped FARA’s distinctive ensemble sound.
From the outset, FARA’s performances centred on tight fiddle interplay, intricate arrangements and repertoire rooted in the traditions of Orkney and wider Scotland. The early response at Orkney Folk Festival led to further bookings, including appearances at major events such as Celtic Connections, Shetland Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival and Tønder Festival.
Line-up and musical backgrounds
In 2019, FARA welcomed Highland pianist Rory Matheson to the line-up, following the departure of original fourth member Jennifer Austin. Rory Matheson, a finalist in BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2018, hails from the north-west Highlands. He developed his musicianship through the Fèis Rois youth programme before studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under leading folk pianists Mary McCarthy and James Ross.
While at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Matheson broadened his stylistic range through the study of jazz and blues, developing a diverse melodic and harmonic vocabulary across both acoustic piano and digital Nord models. His addition expanded FARA’s sonic palette, providing harmonic depth and rhythmic drive to complement the trio’s layered fiddle arrangements.
Kristan Harvey is also a member of Blazin’ Fiddles, one of Scotland’s most established fiddle groups. Catriona Price has received a Dewar Arts Award, and Kristan Harvey has been awarded the title of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. Jeana Leslie was a Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner as part of a duo with Siobhan Miller. Individually, the members have undertaken guest and session work with artists including Belle and Sebastian and Nicola Benedetti, as well as performing with Orcadian folk-rock group The Chair.
Style and repertoire
FARA’s music is rooted in the fiddle traditions of Orkney and the wider Scottish Highlands and Islands. Their arrangements are characterised by close-knit harmonies, rhythmic precision and a balance between tradition and contemporary composition. The interplay between the three fiddles forms the core of the ensemble’s sound, with piano providing harmonic structure and dynamic contrast.
The group’s repertoire includes traditional tunes from Orkney and Scotland alongside original compositions. Their approach reflects both a respect for inherited material and a commitment to renewing and extending the tradition through new writing and arrangement. The blend of Orcadian and Highland influences has become a defining feature of the ensemble’s identity.
Performances and recognition
Since their formation, FARA have toured extensively across the United Kingdom and internationally, appearing at major folk festivals and concert venues. Early festival bookings beyond Orkney included Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Shetland Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival and Tønder Festival in Denmark. These appearances established FARA as a prominent presence within the contemporary Scottish folk scene.
The individual accolades of the members, combined with their conservatoire training and professional experience, have reinforced the group’s standing within British folk music. Their performances are noted for musical precision, ensemble cohesion and a strong connection to the traditions of Orkney.
Appearance at Bromyard Folk Festival 2026
FARA are scheduled to appear at the Bromyard Folk Festival in 2026. Founded in 1968 to support and promote traditional folk music, song and dance, the festival has long presented artists who combine deep regional roots with contemporary creativity.
FARA’s fiddle-led exploration of Orcadian and Highland traditions aligns closely with the ethos of Bromyard Folk Festival. Their performance will bring the distinct musical heritage of Orkney and the north of Scotland to Herefordshire, continuing the festival’s long-standing commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of folk traditions within the United Kingdom and beyond.