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The past decade has seen an exciting resurgence in traditional music in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. A new-found confidence in place, language and culture is almost palpable inthe north. It's maybe not surprising therefore, that some of the prime movers in this renaissance should find themselves together in a band that has variously been called the "Highland supergroup" and the "Gaelic dream-team". Cliar (pronounced "Clear") are a six-piece band based in the Highlands, instrumentally and vocally equally formidable. They have developed a unique closeharmony vocal sound backed up by an instrumental powerhouse thathas been described as "one of the most beautiful sounds in 21st CenturyScotland". The songs are from the tradition, many of them unusual or until-now forgotten, but sung with a fresh, contemporary approach which sets them firmly and relevantly in the present day. The tunes are a mix of traditional and new compositions from the band. All of it comes as the complete package, with the story -the humour and the heart-break - built in, the band's trademark ease and banter on stage crossing all cultural divides. Cliar are equally at home in the intimate atmosphere of the acoustic gig and the main festival stage. Thecombination is unbeatable – the finest Gaelic music around, coupled with the ability to put the message across beyond the bounds of language
The latest line-up is:
Arthur Cormack is one of the finest Gaelic singers of his generation. Since winning the Mod Gold Medal in 1992, he has sung world-wide with fellow Skye musician and former Cliar member Blair Douglas and with the highly-acclaimed MacTalla.
Ingrid Henderson is a multi-instrumentalist born and brought up in Lochaber, and joined Cliar in June 1999 to play piano and clàrsach. She won the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Young Traditionalist Award in 1990 at a frighteningly young age and is a graduate in Celtic Studies from Glasgow University.
Mary Ann Kennedy, daughter of singer Kenna Campbell, trained as a classical musician in Glasgow and Manchester, but remains true to the traditional music that has surrounded her all her life. One of a select number of singers to have won both Gold Medals at the National Mod, she is also twice winner of the International Celtic Harp competition in Lorient, Brittany. Mary Ann was given a Saltire Award for Lasair Dhe, the finale of the 1999 Highland Festival, involving Cliar and Gaelic choirs from all over the Highlands and Islands. She is also well-known as a radio broadcaster in Gaelic and English.
Maggie MacDonald, like Mary Ann, belongs to the Campbells of Greepe in the Isle of Skye, one of the foremost families of traditional Gaelic singers in Scotland. She has learned many of her songs from the family, especially the puirt-a-beul or mouth music for which they are renowned. She won her Gold Medal in 1994 and is the mother of the band, always making sure that empty stomachs are taken care of after the gig.
Hector Henderson, another of the Henderson clan of fine musicians is the newest addition to the band. Hector plays bagpipes and whistles.
Ross Martin, a fantastic guitarist is much in demand on the folk scene for his magical and lyrical playing. He is also a member of Daimh and is the lucky (only) guy in quirky contemporary band Harem Scarem. | 
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