Iseabail Strachan is an accordionist, singer and banjo player from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Having been immersed in Gaelic language and culture from a young age, she began playing music in her childhood and into her teens. During her twenties she did not play as much music, not having gone down the typical pathway of studying music many of her peers did. She studied French, travelled, worked, started teaching herself the guitar, ukulele and finally the banjo and played about with composing and recording music at home. She did not perform much in her twenties. Since returning to Skye to work in the arts as a co-ordinator, producer and community musician in recent years, she has been playing more music for dancing, composing, performing and collaborating with various musicians.
She released her first collection of songs and tunes, Uiseag Aiseig, on 29th March 2025 at an intimate concert and launch at her local hall, Talla Bhreacais in Skye.
Uiseag Aiseig, pronounced "ooshak ashik", means skylark of Ashaig. The album is a collection of tunes and songs Iseabail has been playing and singing over the past few years. Her music takes influence from the natural world, her home village of Ashaig in south Skye and her travels to North Carolina. The album, co-produced by Iseabail and Barry Reid of Rose Croft Studio in Muir of Ord, features various musicians from Skye and Lochalsh including Donald Livingstone on guitar, Sarah-Jayne Shankland & Lis Phillips on fiddle, Keri Skye on bass and her sister Ester Strachan on fiddle. This recording project was made possible thanks to funding from Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig, funded by Creative Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig and administered on their behalf by Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
Iseabail performs regularly with her sister Ester and with various other musicians from Skye. She also organises events and ceilidhs in the community to bring people together.
As well as performing, Iseabail works a music tutor. She wants to see a world where music is accessible to everyone, irrespective of age, background and ability. She has this year been supported by Tasgadh Small Grants for Traditional Arts to offer subsidised group accordion lessons for girls and now teaches 8 girls from Skye & Lochalsh every week. She offers both 1 to 1 and group lessons in accordion on Zoom and in-person. Lessons are available for all ages and abilities.