One of Scotland's leading traditional musicians is to take up a pivotal role at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD).

Phil Cunningham, one of the biggest names in Scottish folk music, is to be the new artistic director of its Scottish traditional music course.

Cunningham, a multi-instrumentalist and composer who is perhaps best known for playing the accordion, will take up his new post at the RSAMD in September. "This is an exciting opportunity for me and I can't wait to work with the staff and students of the academy's Scottish music department," he said.

Professor John Wallace, principal of the RSAMD, said: "Phil Cunningham was right in at the beginning of the Scottish Music degrees in the academy as an adviser when we originally created the BA in Scottish traditional music and the piping degrees. It's so important that we keep a strong sense of continuity in these courses, that are torch-bearers for Scottish identity."