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Scotland and Northern Ireland Office

Our team lobbies on behalf of members and the wider industry on issues that affect musicians – on a local and national level, at councils and at Scottish and Northern Irish parliament. We work closely with other music industry organisations, and represent the employment interests of members in the region.  We’re proud of our significantly increased membership in Northern Ireland – and how we’ve been developing the representation of musicians there. We are growing our presence with musicians working in dance and electronic music production and composition.

Scotland and Northern Ireland Office

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Get involved with your Region

Watch an overview of the Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Committee

In this short video clip, hear from Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional Committee members about why it's important to get involved and what issues, whether they be local or national, are typically discussed at Committee meetings.

Scotland news

Two young musicians in a home studio, one at a desk recording on keyboard with microphone, the other sat behind her playing an acoustic guitar.

MU Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Freelance Creative Workers in Scotland

The MU is calling for immediate action following the publication of a damning new report by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and Scottish creative industry unions, which revealed that only 6% of over 800 creative freelancers surveyed would describe their working conditions as “good”.

Published: 03 June 2025

Read more about MU Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Freelance Creative Workers in Scotland
Exterior long shot of Caird Hall, Dundee., where Congress takes place.

MU Represents Scottish Musicians at STUC Congress 2025

Last week we attended the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) with MU Delegates Ronnie MacNiven, Ben Lunn and Calum Baird, who discussed the value of music education, fair work for musicians, the need for stability of the arts, and more. All of our motions were passed unanimously.

Published: 06 May 2025

Read more about MU Represents Scottish Musicians at STUC Congress 2025
A woman sat at a piano, smiling as she teaches a young girl how to play.

Help Protect Instrumental Music Services in Scotland

Instrumental Music Services across Scotland are under threat. Help protect their existence and the livelihoods of their workforce by contacting your local authority councillors and MSPs, to demand that government grants to cover instrumental music tuition are used only as they are intended.

Published: 28 October 2024

Read more about Help Protect Instrumental Music Services in Scotland

Upcoming events in Scotland

Last chance to book

Stacked rocks on the shore against a clear blue sky.
13 Oct 2025

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives.

Online Member only
Read more about Guided Meditation

Last chance to book

Upcoming

Stacked rocks on the shore against a clear blue sky.
20 Oct 2025

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives.

Online Member only
Read more about Guided Meditation

Fair Play Venues is Scotland

Here’s a list of grassroots music venues in Scotland. We recommend contacting these venues if you’re looking for places to perform.

SEALL

A rural performing arts promoter which works across different venues on the Isle of Skye.

Isle of Skye
Read more about SEALL

Mono

A 300 capacity venue hosting live events around two nights a week.

Glasgow
Read more about Mono

The Hug and Pint

A handmade pizza restaurant and bar with an intimate, 120 capacity, basement live music venue open 7 nights a week.

Glasgow
Read more about The Hug and Pint

The Tolbooth

A city centre-based contemporary music and arts venue, with programmes featuring music from established performers of all genres, as well as upcoming artists and bands.

Stirling
Read more about The Tolbooth

Bloc+

A 183 capacity basement venue that hosts live music and club nights seven nights per week.

Glasgow
Read more about Bloc+

Find musicians

Search for musicians and music teachers working in Scotland & Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland news

Close up of legs running on a treadmill.

Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits

Following the success of our discounted hotel room benefit, we’re now offering MU members exclusive access to reduced-rate gym memberships with The Gym Group — one of the UK’s leading fitness providers.

Published: 01 August 2025

Read more about Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits
A bouquet of flowers resting on an empty theatre seat.

Stop the Closure of Riverside Theatre in Northern Ireland

The MU is concerned to learn of the proposal to close The Riverside Theatre in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, and urges members to get involved by signing the petition and joining the peaceful protest taking place on Tuesday 3 June 2025.

Published: 02 June 2025

Read more about Stop the Closure of Riverside Theatre in Northern Ireland

Upcoming events in Northern Ireland

Last chance to book

Stacked rocks on the shore against a clear blue sky.
13 Oct 2025

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives.

Online Member only
Read more about Guided Meditation

Last chance to book

Upcoming

Stacked rocks on the shore against a clear blue sky.
20 Oct 2025

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives.

Online Member only
Read more about Guided Meditation

Fair Play Venues in Northern Ireland

Here’s a list of grassroots music venues in Northern Ireland. We recommend contacting these venues if you’re looking for places to perform.

The Court House

A 200 capacity, central independent venue, which offers paid weekly or monthly residencies, support and headline slots.

Bangor
Read more about The Court House

Meet the Musicians’ Union Scotland & Northern Ireland Team

The Musicians’ Union team in Scotland and Northern Ireland is here to support musicians and creative workers across the region. Our experienced staff understand the realities of working in today’s music industry and are ready to help you protect and grow your career.

From musician contracts and freelance advice to legal support for musicians and guidance on live music regulations, we provide practical support tailored to the needs of professional and emerging artists. Whether you’re based in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Belfast, or anywhere in between, our team is on hand to advise and represent you.

As an MU member in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you’ll benefit from expert advice, workplace representation, and access to a wide range of services designed to support your work.

If you’d like to learn more about Musicians’ Union membership in Scotland and Northern Ireland, or to arrange a meeting with your local team, please get in touch.

 

The team

Photo of Caroline Sewell

Caroline Sewell

Regional Organiser

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Photo of Louise Stanners Pow

Louise Stanners Pow

Regional Officer

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Photo of Charlene Hegarty

Charlene Hegarty

Regional Officer

Northern Ireland

Photo of Becci McGuinness

Becci McGuinness

Regional Services Assistant

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Contact us

We are here to provide advice to musicians based in Scotland and Northern Ireland, from guidance on their careers to legal issues – and if needs be, helping them to acquire further advice and representation through legal officials.

MU employees are combining working from home and the office. This means that meetings and visits to an MU office are strictly by appointment only, and will need to be arranged in advance by contacting us.

Send an enquiry

Contact info

0141 341 2960 Office hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 5:30pm
Musicians' Union, Rab Noakes Suite, 8 Landressy Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1BP.