Live music at the Tree House: Rhona Macfarlane

Rhona Macfarlane is a rising Scottish singer-songwriter whose emotive voice and evocative storytelling have been described as ‘casting a gentle spell over her audience.’ Macfarlane creates a deeply immersive and emotional soundscape, whether through gentle guitar and intimate vocals or expansive, cinematic arrangements with soaring strings, crafting worlds that feel both vast and personal. Her work has been described as “building an atmosphere of tranquillity and respite”, drawing listeners into a space of reflection and serenity.

Hailing from the small North-east seaside town of Montrose in Scotland, Rhona Macfarlane was brought up in a musical household where creativity was boundless. Her early years were spent immersed in music, whether that was through Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell or Rickie Lee Jones on the record player, or the sounds of family playing piano, violin, guitar, bagpipes or clarsach. With ancestors from St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides, Rhona’s childhood included frequent trips to Harris where she was surrounded by folk music and her Grandmother’s Gaelic songs.

She began learning violin and piano at an early age and into her teens picked up the guitar and began songwriting.
Through songwriting opportunities such as “Hit the Road” and classical music experience with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland she quickly became enchanted by the world of songwriting while also developing a deep passion for the violin which she subsequently went on to study at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This environment influenced her songwriting to hold elements of classical music, the folk tradition of storytelling at its centre but in turn manages to deliver it in an entirely modern light.

Macfarlane released her highly anticipated debut album, As The Chaos Unfolds, in January, 2025. The album, recorded in the Autumn of 2023 at Watercolour Studios in the serene Scottish Highlands, was co-produced by Macfarlane and Matt Ingram. As The Chaos Unfolds is an evocative collection of songs that captures the essence of a “coming of age” experience. Written during her mid-20s—a time of profound personal change—the album delves into themes of love, identity, mental health, and the often-chaotic journey of navigating early adulthood.

Singles from the album received widespread radio play from the likes of BBC Radio 2, Radcliffe and Maconie on BBC 6, BBC Ulster and numerous BBC Scotland shows such as single of the week on the ‘Afternoon Show’, Ricky Ross ‘Another Country’, Travelling Folk, Iain Anderson and BBC nan Gàidheal. Macfarlane also featured live on BBC Radio Scotland Pacific Quay sessions as part of Celtic Connections 2025.
The album received a four-star review from The Scotsman and was the featured album of the week on the BBC Radio Scotland Iain Anderson show.

“A gorgeous song” Angela Griffin, BBC Radio 2 
“It’s so topical, it’s so new and she’s very talented. Just really love this very much, just a lovely voice” Ricky Ross, BBC Scotland
“A lovely thing” Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 6 Music
“Woozy bass and a gentle strum are the foundation for Macfarlane’s beautiful voice, which winds its way through a tranquil tune.” Americana UK
“Macfarlane’s peaceful instrumentation, is elevated through her serene string arrangements which blends with her beautiful vocals to build an atmosphere of tranquillity and respite.” Folk Radio UK
“those wonderful strings, that sends shivers down the spine.” At the Barrier
“We love this EP because it’s such a wonderfully astute account of life.” Right Chord Music
‘Better When You’re Around’ by Rhona Macfarlane is uplifting and joyous,” Right Chord Music
“a sense of something new and uniquely hers… Macfarlane has the soul of someone years beyond her age.” Indie Music Center
“Rhona Macfarlane was the consummate singer-songwriter and mesmerised the Free-Range Folk stage with a distinctive voice, equally capable of lilting or soaring to fulfil the vision of her songs. A fantastic all-round performance, Rhona Macfarlane has real promise.” MNPR Festival Review
“Singer-songwriter Rhona Macfarlane, whose emotional and reflective storytelling casts a gentle spell over her audience.” The modernrecord.com

There will be soft drinks available - feel free to BYOB, we have glasses and corkscrews, etc.

7pm doors for a 7.30pm start

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