Key Points
- Horse McDonald, hailed as one of Britain’s finest vocalists, returns to Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom for a one-night-only performance.
- The exclusive concert features Horse with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) as part of Celtic Connections 2026.
- The show celebrates the 30th anniversary of the 1995 collaboration, the first orchestra performance at the Barrowland Ballroom.
- Special guests to be announced; tickets available via Celtic Connections channels.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 18, 2026 – Horse McDonald, the acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter known as a Celtic legend, will take the stage at the Barrowland Ballroom for a rare one-night-only show with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and special guests.
This landmark performance highlights Celtic Connections 2026, running from 15 January to 1 February across multiple Glasgow venues, drawing over 110,000 attendees for more than 300 events featuring 1,200 artists.
What is the story behind this special Celtic Connections performance?
The concert marks the 30th anniversary of Horse’s groundbreaking 1995 collaboration with the SCO at the Barrowland Ballroom, the first time an orchestra performed at the iconic venue, according to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
As reported by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra of SCO.org.uk, the event also coincides with the 35th anniversary of Horse’s debut album The Same Sky, with tracks from it and follow-up God’s Home Movie re-imagined alongside selections from her career.
Who is Horse McDonald and why is this show significant?
Horse McDonald reunites with long-time collaborator Paul Leonard-Morgan conducting the SCO, building on original arrangements by Audrey Riley that fused classical and contemporary music.
What did Horse say about the reunion?
Horse stated:
“Music brings us together, no matter how diverse. Returning to the Barrowland with the SCO, where it all began, is incredibly special, for those who were there in 1995 and for a new generation of fans,”
as quoted by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
What role does this play in Celtic Connections 2026?
The festival transforms Glasgow into a hub for folk, roots, and world music with headliners like Emmylou Harris, Buena Vista All Stars, Lucinda Williams, and Skerryvore at venues including Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, and the newly refurbished Citizens Theatre, per St. Enoch Centre and VisitGlasgow.
Audiences can expect cross-cultural collaborations from Scotland to Brazil and Iraq, with tickets on sale through www.celticconnections.com.
