13 Facts About Karen Matheson

Karen Matheson OBE was born on 11 February 1963 and is a Scottish folk singer who frequently sings in Gaelic.

Karen Matheson is the 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 with Elaine Morgan.

Karen Matheson made a cameo appearance in the 1995 movie Rob Roy singing the song "Ailein duinn".

Karen Matheson grew up in the small village of Taynuilt in the region of Argyll, western Scotland.

Karen Matheson was appointed an OBE in the 2006 New Year's honours list.

Karen Matheson performed a solo in Secret Garden's song "Prayer" in the 1999 album Dawn of a New Century.

Karen Matheson is married to fellow Capercaillie member Donald Shaw, and they have a son.

On 2 February 2010, Matheson made an appearance on Celtic Woman 4, then on 16 October 2015, Karen Matheson released her fourth solo album, Urram, on Vertical Records.

In support of the new album, Karen Matheson planned 7 shows in Scotland in December 2015 and January 2016, one show in January in Dublin, Ireland and 5 shows in the UK in February 2016.

On her official web site, Karen Matheson announced in March 2016 that she would embark on an 11-date Spring 2016 UK tour, visiting mainly Scotland, starting on 15 April 2016 in Perth, Scotland and ending on 18 June 2016 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland.

Karen Matheson announced on 1 July 2016 that she would perform one show on 19 July 2016 at Ionad Cois Locha, Dun Luiche, Ireland, together with long-time friends and music partners Donald Shaw and Manus Lunny, during the Trad Trathnona, County Donegal's Summer of traditional Sessions.

On 12 February 2021, Karen Matheson released her fifth solo album.

On 12 September 2022, Karen Matheson sang a Gaelic psalm as part of a Service of Thanksgiving for the late Queen Elizabeth II, at St Giles' Cathedral in the Old Town, Edinburgh, which was attended by HM King Charles III and other members of the British Royal Family.