After much anticipation and encouragement from fellow musicians and fans alike, two of Scotland’s foremost musicians joined forces in 2016 to form one of the most formidable duos in recent Scottish music history.

Following on from the success of their debut album Symbiosis, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton released their second album Symbiosis II in spring 2018 to huge critical acclaim. Winners of the best duo category at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2017 and nominees for the same award in 2018, Ross and Ali have been working hard on creating a repertoire full of new and original material.

With panoramic soundscapes, the full 4-piece touring band revolves around skilfully played guitar, cittern, whistles and bagpipes, which are the bedrock of the award-winning duo’s sound, as well as musical arrangements that include strings, the extensive use of synthesisers, drum kit and bodhran – all resulting in a much bigger touring sound as they continue to build adventurous and epic arrangements.

Ross and Ali’s live performances deliver music with an energy and passion that can only come with a shared and rich musical history – the music they create is both exciting and beguiling with an undeniable synergy that can only be forged from a lifetime of friendship.

‘Skilful acoustic instrumental playing is elaborated and developed into bold, funky, adventurous arrangements that sometimes transform into full on Folk Rock, like Treacherous Orchestra on Acid.’ fRoots

‘Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton must surely be two of the most prolific young men around in Scottish music at the moment. Working on a dizzying variety of (often award-winning) projects their output never seems to falter. Symbiosis II is another superb addition to the catalogue…lyrical and breathy, writhing and sinuous, beefy and muscular – and every shade in-between.’ folking.com

‘Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton have once again proven themselves to be not only masters of Scottish traditional music but at the very forefront of the movement that continues to breathe new life into the music, inspiring the next generation. Symbiosis II is truly hypnotic.’ Folk Radio