With their Kingston Trio-like approach to traditional Scottish music and uplifting three-part vocal harmonies, the McCalmans have been at the forefront of Scottish folk music for more than three-and-a-half decades. In addition to having released more than 22 albums, the trio has been featured in six major television series and numerous BBC network radio broadcasts.

Formed by multi-instrumentalist Ian McCalman on his first day at Edinburgh School of Art, the McCalmans' only personnel change came when Hamish Bayne was replaced by guitar, mandolin, mouth organ, and flageolet player Nick Keir. The third member remains Dundee-born and Fife-raised guitar, mandolin, and bodhran player Derek Moffat. While McCalman mostly plays guitar and bodhran, a highlight of the band's performances is his playing what he calls a "weirdolin," combining a 12-string guitar and a Mexican gitarra. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi