Skipinnish singer stunned after band decide to replace him

One of Scotland's most popular traditional music bands have become embroiled in a row after announcing their singer was leaving.

A social media post by Skipinnish broke the news that singer Norrie "Tago" MacIver would not be part of the group for 2026.

However within hours MacIver, who has fronted the band since 2016, posted his own message online, saying he "didn't expect" to have to announce that he was leaving. Hundreds of replies to both posts by fans criticised the decision.

The band was first formed by Angus MacPhail and Andrew Stevenson in 1999 while they studied in Glasgow, and they have performed across the world since then, releasing 10 albums.

The group are just weeks removed from playing Scotland's biggest music venue, the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.

At the time of that gig, the group posted a message saying it was the "pinnacle of 26 years of Skipinnish, with no doubt."

MacIver told BBC Scotland News he had only learned of the decision by phone call on Tuesday night.

Three other members of the group - drummer Rory Grindlay, guitarist Euan Malloch and keyboardist Alistair Iain Paterson - have also all announced they are leaving the band.

Malloch said on social media his decision to leave had been made independently of the band replacing MacIver.

An update by the band on Wednesday, which was introduced as "changes and new beginnings", read: "We are sad to say that we'll be going into next year without Norrie MacIver.

"We are very grateful to Norrie for all he has brought to the band and wish him the very best in all his future endeavours.

"Norrie has a great solo tour on sale for next March and no doubt there will be plenty more exciting things after that as well as an upcoming appearance on BBC Alba's Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire."

The band, named after the place where MacPhail grew up on Tiree, added there would be "great tour announcements" to come in the near future.

However Mr MacIver's post later in the day suggested the departure was not nearly as amicable as his former bandmates had indicated.

In a message accompanied by a picture of himself standing onstage, he wrote: "To make it clear this is not my decision. Skipinnish have decided they want to let me go and move forward without me.

"I'm sorry there wasn't a final gig to say goodbye to all the amazing fans but that's how it goes. You've all been brilliant during the last 10 years. Thank you all so much for your support.

"Will take some time to process all of this but I wanted to make it clear that this is not what I wanted.

"The picture is my last gig, without knowing it."

He later told BBC Scotland News he had no idea he was set to be dropped, and that Tuesday's phone call was supposed to be regarding the other line-up changes in the group and plans for 2026.

He said he was "blown away" by the amount of supportive messages received from fans.

Mr MacIver was previously the singer with another trad band, Manran.

Skipinnish have not said who will replace MacIver as the singer.