Milly Coltherd grew up on a farm just outside Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. With a father who is both a racehorse trainer and a stock farmer, she spent her childhood fully involved in farm work from riding horses, mucking out stables, checking sheep, feeding cattle and tackling the chaos of lambing season.
“There’s no real routine on the farm,” Millie said. “Every day's different, and that’s what I love. Between the horses and the farm, there’s always something to do.”
Amid all that, another interest quietly took hold. Milly’s parents first noticed her singing at primary school when she performed a solo at the Christmas concert.
“They were surprised,” she laughed. “I wasn’t the most academic, so it was nice to show them I could do something well.”
Singing lessons began in P6, followed by classical training in S1. Soon she started singing at local events and joined the Selkirk Amateur Operatic Society, where she played the lead in the musical Annie.
One highlight she remembers is preforming by candlelight at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh with the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
Today, Milly divides her time between the farm and her music. She mainly performs covers but also writes her own songs and hopes to keep developing as a songwriter. She enjoys performing solo but also loves the energy of singing with other musicians.
Her farm background shapes her taste too - she’s drawn to country and traditional Scottish songs that remind her of home. Sometimes she even practises in the lambing shed, with her little sausage dog Evie as her keenest critic.
From farm to first dance
Milly’s first wedding performance was at age 10, singing at her cousin’s big day. In 2022, she launched her own wedding singing business and now performs at seven to 12 weddings a year, alongside other events.
“The best part of wedding singing is seeing the happiness it brings,” she said. “Being part of someone’s special day is just lovely.”
Her favourite songs are slow, romantic classics, with Elvis Presley’s 'Can’t Help Falling in Love' a regular request. One moment that stands out was singing 'Caledonia' for a close friend as she walked down the aisle. Milly prides herself on tailoring her sets to each couple so every performance feels personal and meaningful.
She offers a range of packages for different parts of the day:
Ceremony package: 20 minutes of acoustic songs for guests arrival, a bridal entry song, 2–3 songs during the signing and an exit song.
Drinks/canapés: Acoustic sets during champagne and canapés for two 45-minutes sessions.
Wedding breakfast: Entrance song of choice, followed by two 1-hour sets, with requests taken before the day.
With her experience and broad repertoire, Milly can adapt to almost any style or preference.
Her favourite venue? Schloss Golf Course outside Kelso. “It’s beautiful,” she said.
Milly behind the mic
When she’s not singing or on the farm, Milly enjoys good food and time with her dog. The best advice she’s had from her singing teacher still sticks: “Make the most of it, feel the music, enjoy the company, and you’ll make memories.”
Her bookings keep growing, but she’s still taking requests for spring and has availability through summer and later in the year.
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