Edinburgh Tradfest: Ellie Beaton

Ellie Beaton is a captivating, award-winning folk singer hailing from the North-East of Scotland.

With a commanding voice that ripples with warmth and confidence, Ellie effortlessly embodies the timeless spirit of Aberdeenshire’s vibrant singing style whilst blending inspirations from across the globe.

Born and raised in Rothienorman, nestled in the heart of Aberdeenshire, Ellie has carved a name for herself as one of the most promising voices in Scotland’s folk scene.

In February 2025, Ellie was crowned winner of the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2025, four years after becoming the youngest recipient of the MG Alba Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards.

Brought up in a Doric-speaking home, she has a natural flare for incorporating her own dialect into her music, using the platform of song to highlight the Scots Language. However, she is equally at home performing songs from across the folksong realm, taking inspiration from both English and Doric speaking artists.

In recent years, Ellie has toured across the UK and Europe performing in both intimate settings and large festivals, captivating audiences with her natural Aberdeenshire flare.

Although being predominantly a folk singer, in 2024, she graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Vocal Studies, paving a future career in both folk and classical music.

Ellie is currently working on her debut album, which will blend the traditions of the North-East and her recent life in Glasgow.

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