A line-up of top Scots singers and musicians are to take to the stage for a tribute concert 250 years on from the birth of a Renfrewshire icon.

The event is in honour of Paisley’s weaver poet and songwriter Robert Tannahill, whose work achieved recognition following his death in 1810 and continues to be celebrated throughout the town’s cultural life.

The concert, which is part of the Celtic Connections festival, is taking place on Thursday, February 1 at 8pm in the Strathclyde Suite at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

It will see Malinky's Fiona Hunter, Deaf Shepherd's John Morran, and rising star Cameron Nixon perform fresh settings of weel-kent and unknown Tannahill songs like The Braes o' Balquhidder and Gleniffer Braes alongside little known treasures.

Dr Fred Freeman, a professor of Scots language and traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and producer of the five-volume CD series of songs of Robert Tannahill, is keen to see people from Renfrewshire coming along.

“I've spent over 10 years producing, on CD, all of the songs of Robert Tannahill and this is the final album which we're calling the 250th anniversary edition," he explained.

“We have a concert on February 1 and I've got my singers and players (playing) who are all major prize winners from top groups.

“I'd like to generate as much interest as possible in it from Renfrewshire folk coming along.”

Tannahill, who was born in Castle Street in 1774, left school aged 12 and was apprenticed to his father as a handloom weaver.

Following the completion of his apprenticeship, Tannahill worked in Bolton for two years before returning home in 1801. 

Most of his poetry dates from his return to the town, which saw him compose as he worked at the loom.

The performances on Thursday will be interwoven with commentary by Dr Freeman, with instrumental accompaniment and interludes from Phil Alexander (accordion), Adam Bulley (mandolin), Marc Duff (whistles/bodhran), Angus Lyon (keyboard), Frank McLaughlin (guitar), Euan McLaughlin (fiddle/banjo), and Chris Wright (cittern).

“It’ll be a big event,” added Dr Freeman.

“The Strathclyde Suite is the major venue at Celtic Connections and I have launched all of the Tannahill CDs over the years at Celtic connections.

“This is the final volume in the series and we'll have recorded over 100 songs.

“The songs are superb and I’d like to see more Renfrewshire folk aware and interested in him."