I was in Scotland last week, a country which has always treated its folk music with a healthy mixture of respect and whisky-flavoured bonhomie.

Sure enough, last weekend's Sunday Herald colour supplement had a six-page cover feature on the current bunch of young(-ish) musicians that have chosen to embrace their country's folk heritage with a vengeance.

Folk fever is certainly rampant north of the border, and some of these tartan terrors will soon be heading our way.

I'll try and keep you posted when they do. Meanwhile, a hectic week is in store for the region, starting tonight with The Wilsons at Skelton's Duke William, and the start of Darlington's Spring Thing at the Arts Centre, which features nu-folk diva Kathryn Williams and Flossie Malliaville on Friday, myself on Saturday night, and John Tams and Barry Coope on Sunday, plus all manner of sessions and local talent throughout the weekend. Hope to see you there.

Teessider and 1970s singer-songwriter Claire Hammill is back on homeground at Hartlepool's Studio on Friday, while Saturday's choices are Roy Bailey at Washington's Davy Lamp, John Wright at Sedgefield Cricket Club, and The Old Aged Travellers at Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

I'm looking forward to my solo gig at Westoe Club on Sunday, and Clannad vocalist Moya Brennan is also solo at Gatehead's Sage on Tuesday.

BBC4 has a night of Celtic folk this Friday, starting with highlights from Glasgow's Celtic Connections and then yet another look at the history of Irish Folk Music.

If they remember to mention that the founder of The Dubliners, Luke Kelly, discovered folk music on a chance visit to Newcastle's Bridge Hotel folk club in 1961, maybe they'll consider doing a programme on the importance of our own region's folk scene next time around. It's surely about time someone did.