Karen Matheson

Karen Matheson
Matheson performing with Capercaillie at Celtic Rock 2007, Glamis Castle, Scotland, 31st August 2007
Background information
Birth name	Karen Matheson
Born	11 February 1963 (1963-02-11)
Origin	Taynuilt, Argyll, Scotland
Genres	Folk music
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1980s–present
Associated acts	Capercaillie
Website	www.karenmatheson.com

Karen Matheson OBE (born 11 February 1963) is a Scottish folk singer, who frequently sings in Scottish Gaelic. She is lead singer of the group Capercaillie and was a member of Dan Ar Braz's group L'Heritage des Celtes, with whom she often sang lead vocals, either alone or jointly with Elaine Morgan. She and Morgan received much acclaim for their joint lead vocal on the Breton language song "Diwanit Bugale", the French entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1996. She made a cameo appearance in the 1995 movie Rob Roy singing the song "Ailein duinn".

She grew up in the small village of Taynuilt in Argyll. She was awarded an OBE in the 2006 New Year's honours list.

Matheson also appeared as a guest musician on Spirit of the West's 1997 album Weights and Measures.

She is married to fellow Capercaillie member Donald Shaw, and they have a son named Hector.

Solo discography

• The Dreaming Sea (1996)
• Time to Fall (2002)
• Downriver (2005)
• TBC (Spring 2010)

External links

• Karen Matheson's website
• BBC report of 2006 honours list, including Matheson's OBE