A spirited new trad tune composed by a Royal Conservatoire of Scotland student will be unveiled at one of Scotland’s top malt and music festivals this week.

The piece by accordionist Duncan Ritchie is the winning entry in a new competition to mark 30 years of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Traditional Music programme and the opening of Lochranza Distillery, home of Arran Single Malt.

The distillery opened in 1995 and at 2.29pm on Sunday, June 29, it will celebrate the moment the new spirit first passed through the stills.

The RCS Trad@30 Arran Single Malt Composition Prize was open to students in the Traditional Music department at RCS. Students were invited to submit a piece based on the theme Worth Reflecting On, that celebrates both anniversaries, for a chance to win up to £1,500 and a starring slot at this year’s Arran Malt and Music Festival in Lochranza on Sunday 29 June.

Entrants were encouraged to explore ideas of memory, authenticity and personal growth – a nod to the journey the distillery has taken over three decades of whisky-making on the Isle of Arran.

“I feel overjoyed and humbled to win this competition,” said Duncan, who as well as playing the accordion is also a composer and arranger.

“There were so many great trad composers who put in applications, so I am thrilled that my tune got picked. Composing has been a passion of mine since I started music, that I’ve been developing over the years, so it’s a great joy that others are enjoying my music too.

“I’m looking forward to playing at the Arran Whisky Festival to celebrate the establishment of both Lochranza Distillery and the RCS Trad department, both celebrating 30 years. It will be an honour to provide the music.”

Duncan has performed across the UK, including at renowned festivals like Celtic Connections.

He is a member of Alba Challah, a quasi-folk band, who have had significant success across Scotland since forming in 2021. In 2023, he had the honour of being invited to play in Martyn Bennett’s Grit Orchestra in Edinburgh, alongside violinist Nicola Benedetti.

Professor Joshua Dickson, Head of Traditional Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “We are thrilled that Duncan has capped his BMus and MMus studies in Traditional Music at RCS with his winning composition in association with Arran Single Malt.

“Duncan brings a lovely traditional feel to his tunes and knows how to make them accessible to a wide variety of instruments, making them inclusive and playable in any setting. We wish him every success in his future endeavours.”

Stewart Bowman, Lochranza Distillery Manager said: “We’re absolutely delighted to award Duncan as the winner of our composition competition in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

“His piece truly stood out – it captures the spirit of tradition with a fresh perspective. We can’t wait to welcome him to Arran and hear his music come to life at the festival on our 30^th anniversary – it’s going to be a very special moment.”

Competition judges included singer-songwriter Findlay Napier and Gillian Frame, fiddle player, who were among the first graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Scottish Music at RCS, when it was known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Follow Duncan on Instagram @duncan__ritchie and @albachallah