Our history

Canasg was founded as an independent music publishing partnership, in Edinburgh in 2000. From the outset, we sold music online only, and in PDF format only. At the time, this was very innovative; now, of course, everyone is doing it.

Canasg is named (in Gaelic) after the fragrant and bright yellow gorse (or whin, or furze) bush that decorates the hills of Scotland for most of the year.

The original Canasg partners were Peter Hill, Sheena Phillips and John Wexler, who met through the Edinburgh-based Rudsambee Company of Singers. Since John’s death in 2022, and Peter’s retirement from Canasg, the website is now run by Sheena, with the help of John’s son Daniel Wexler.

Thanks to Elanor Wexler and Janis Ross for the use of their images on this website.