“The desire to create is the potential to inspire”

Elsa Jean McTaggart Christmas

Music is what I love to do and now it is what I do.
This makes me insanely happy!

Born in 1977 the 5th child of 11, Elsa Jean McTaggart was brought up on a Rustic Croft on the mountainside overlooking Tay Valley, Aberfeldy, Perthshire. With no electricity or even running water in the house for many years. Instruments, books, animals and siblings were the main sources of entertainment.

She bought a cheap violin at the age of 17, but was never part of a music scene until the age of 20.

Having always learnt by ear, at the age of 22 she received her first pay and aimed only to work as a musician from there on in. Traditional music was the only open door at that time and she was very fortunate to play music with a variety of talented musicians from all genres.

Elsa completed a Masters in Irish Traditional Music in Limerick university in 2004

Elsa Jean McTaggart

In 2008, Elsa organized and performed her first full-length concert with a backing band. A landmark achievement of what she would like to do with her music. In 2010, she toured as a fiddle player and support act to Finbar Furey of the Furey brothers.

After that 6-week tour in Scotland Elsa began to promote her original music. 2011 saw an exchanging of vows to the wonderful Mr. Lister and the first of many tours (the Red Shoes tour) began.

Elsa Jean McTaggart and Gary Lister

Gary Lister grew up in Kirkcaldy, Fife, and learned the Piano accordion from the age of 7. His passion was music and his dream was to become a music teacher, unfortunately, with no other pupils interested in music at Higher level, he was unable to study and gain qualifications necessary to take it further.

By the age of 17, Gary was regularly playing in bands at weddings and also accompanying Scottish dancing …  music became a part-time/ weekend job…. Until Elsa came along! Now a full-time musician, Piano, Keyboards and vocals, Gary organizes the touring in every aspect.

Elsa Jean McTaggart - The Three Bridges - Fife, Scotland

In 2016 Elsa and Gary officially moved back to Scotland and completed their first International Tour (The coming home tour) with great success. They followed the tour with a Scottish Folk set and a new album ‘, Lassie Will Ye Go’, released at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2016. That was followed by a new tribute to the songs and life of Eva Cassidy ‘The Story’ in 2017.

There is nothing like pressure to keep you on your toes! Both these shows and also Elsa’s original music ‘Sings, Strings and other Things’ will continue to be developed with the addition of a new acoustic band ‘Hebridean Fire’ which brings the long-awaited fusion of music from two (of 8) McTaggart sisters when ‘Miss Irenie Rose’ joins Elsa on stage.


Elsa Jean McTaggart toured with Finbar Furey of the Fureys, in 2010 and has since toured extensively with her original music and ‘Mercenary Fiddler’ Show, completing a successful international tour in 2015. Elsa received an award for her song-writing on the ‘Edinburgh Tonight’ Show 2012 and was presented with the Three Weeks Editors Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013. The Scottish Folk album received rave reviews at the time of its launch in August 2016 including ‘Album of the month’ and ‘favourite album of the year’ by East Coast FM.

For a list of our public appearances please look at our calendar. We can also adapt our material for private shows including corporate events, functions, gatherings and weddings. If you are interested please contact Gary Lister (0044) 07890074307 or email garydavidlister@hotmail.com

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