RuMac to bring Scottish folk fusion to Hornbill festival and Tolly Club in debut India tour
Times of India | 1 December 2025
KOLKATA: Scottish musician Ruairidh Maclean, known by his stage name RuMac, is set to captivate audiences at the renowned Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, followed by a performance at the Tollygunge Club in Kolkata. This marks RuMac's debut visit to India, where he will bring his unique blend of traditional Scottish folk and contemporary soundscapes to the vibrant cultural landscape of the country.
The Scottish accordion player started playing traditional Scottish music before slowly drifting into a strange mix of genres. He performs everything from traditional Gaelic songs to heavy metal rock. There’s no telling what sound will come out of his mouth and box, but slowly the world is becoming aware of his anarchic unique performances, and they can’t get enough of it.
On his homepage, www.rumacmusic.com, RuMac describes himself: "I'm a mad guy from Ullapool who plays the accordion and shouts a lot..."
The Hornbill Festival, taking place from December 1 to 10, 2025, is a significant cultural event in Nagaland, celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of the region. This year, the United Kingdom is a country partner for the festival's 26th edition, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural ties between the UK and Nagaland. RuMac's performance at the festival is supported by the British Council, which is committed to fostering cultural exchange and artistic collaboration between the UK and India.
Following his performance at the Hornbill Festival, RuMac will grace the stage at the Tollygunge Club in Kolkata on December 4, 2025. This event, presented in partnership with the British Council and the Tollygunge Club, promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, celebrating artistic mobility and cultural storytelling. RuMac's genre-fluid approach and powerful storytelling are expected to resonate with audiences, offering a high-energy and engaging musical experience.
British Council director (East and Northeast India) Debanjan Chakrabarti expressed his enthusiasm for RuMac's visit, stating, "We are delighted to welcome RuMac to Kolkata as part of his debut India visit. His innovative approach to music, deeply rooted in tradition, embodies the spirit of creative exchange that the British Council champions. We are pleased to partner with the Tollygunge Club to create opportunities that connect artists, audiences, and institutions across borders."
Songit Bagrodia, president of the Tollygunge Club, echoed this sentiment, saying, "The Tollygunge Club is honoured to host RuMac's debut showcase in India. We look forward to an exceptional evening of music and cultural engagement."
RuMac himself shared his excitement, stating, "I’m thrilled to be performing in India for the first time, in a part of the world I’ve never had the chance to visit before. I’m especially looking forward to my show in Kolkata at the Tollygunge Club and to bring a little bit of The Highlands of Scotland along with me; hopefully, you’ll like what I do! Slàinte!"