A CARDROSS musician will take to the stage at Europe’s largest winter music festival in Glasgow in the new year.

Singer-songwriter Ainsley Hamill will join more than 1,000 fellow musicians from across the world taking part in Celtic Connections for the 18-day showcase of events spanning traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul and world music from Thursday, January 19 until Sunday, February 5.

The UK’s premier roots music festival will brighten up the dark and gloomy winter nights with hundreds of performances, landmark musical collaborations, talks, workshops, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions.

Ainsley will be right at the heart of the action, joining international sensations, rising stars and homegrown talent alike in entertaining loyal audiences flocking to the city for the annual event.

The talented singer-songwriter has a long list of recognitions to her name, including BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist and Gaelic Singer of the Year Finalist at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.

She represented Scotland at the 2019 Eurovision Choir Contest in Gothenburg, and has appeared at festivals all over the world.

Ainsley will feature in the Scott Wood Band with Vincular by Ron Jappy gig at Drygate Brewery on Thursday, January 26, alongside Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys at Oran Mòr, and as part of Gun Sireadh Gun Iarraidh - The Frances Tolmie Collection on the final Friday of the festival.

Celtic Connections 2023 will be the 30th edition of the world-famous festival, and will recognise the advancements and achievements of the last three decades and all that organisers have overcome to bring people together in a defining cultural celebration.

It will also acknowledge and celebrate the resilience of the Scottish music scene, and the live entertainment industry, in the face of adversity.

Read more: Cardross singer's new album inspired by "forgotten people"

Donald Shaw, creative producer for Celtic Connections, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming audiences from near and far to the 30th edition of Celtic Connections in Glasgow - it’s set to be a really special start to the new year.

“We’re always thrilled to be able to showcase brilliant Scottish artists from across the country and we’re looking forward to seeing them entertain crowds on this international stage this January.”

Tickets for Celtic Connections 2023 are available from celticconnections.com.