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Click on the links below to get background details of various Scottish fiddlers. This is a large project which has just begun.

Last updated: 7th July 2005

Go to: A B C D F G H J L M O P R S T V W

Tom Anderson A giant in Shetland fiddling, Anderson was a pioneering collector of Shetland fiddle tunes and styles. He was a founder member of the Shetland Fiddle Band, better known as 'The Forty Fiddlers'. Among his many students are Aly Bain and Catriona Macdonald. He was also a prolific composer of tunes, Da Slockit Light possibly being the most well known.
Tom Anderson Discography | Shetland Fiddle Music Discography |

Jim Barrie Plays with the Wallochmor Ceilidh Band.
Discography |

James Barnett (1847-1898) From Kirkwall, Orkney.
Biography | See also Orkney Fiddle Music.

Magnus Brough 19thC fiddler from Shetland
Biography |

John Bruce (1720?-1785) John Bruce was a fiddler from Braemar originally, but later settled in Dumfries. Supposed to have composed the popular air Whistle O'er the Lave O't (abc).

The Cameron Men (1930s) Three fiddling brothers from the Newtyle area in Angus.
Discgraphy |

Angus Cameron ( A teacher.

John Cuthbert (1778-c1848) A fiddler from Crieff in Perthsire, who played with Niel Gow on occasion. Biography |

Ian Cutler Played with the Bully Wee Band.
Discography |

James F Dickie (b1886) James Fowlie Dickie was a resepcted fiddler in his time, and there are a couple of recordings of him (unfortunately recorded when he was well past his prime). He had a very idiosyncratic style, owing somewhat to his admiration of Scott Skinner.

George Faux Played with the Shetland group Hom Bru.

Chuck Fleming Originally from Loanhead, just outside Edinburgh, Chuck briefly graced the line-ups of The JSD Band and Five Hand Reel, Scotland's vanguard of folk-rock. He recorded an LP with Gerry Kaley in 1985, Shake Loose the Border.

Captain Simon Fraser (1773-1852) Born at Ardachie near Fort Augustus, Fraser is best known for his collection of Gaelic airs first published in 1815. He was also a skilled composer, and, according to Captain Macdiarmid (a respected fiddler of the day), "I never heard anyone make the fiddle speak Gaelic so beautifully." Amongst his best compositions are The Highland Troop, The Beauty of the North, and Caledonia's Wail for Niel Gow

Ron Gonnella Fiddler, publisher, composer, 1960s and 70s.
Discography |

Nathaniel Gow Fiddler, publisher, composer
Biography |

Charles Hardie (1849-1893) Son of William Hardie, and regarded as one of the best fiddlers of his day. Scott Skinner considered that Charlie excelled in slow airs and light reels and hornpipes, particularly Banks. He was a carpenter and also worked with an Aberdeen photographer named Wilson.

William J Hardie Grand-nephew of Charlie Hardie (see above), lived in Aberdeen.

Derek Hoy Edinburgh. Plays with Jock Tamson's Bairns.
Discography |

Hiram Hosie Fiddler from the 78rpm era.
Discography |

Gibbie Hutchison Fiddler from the Whalsay, Shetland.

Bobby Jamieson Shetland fiddler from Yell who played for his first dance in 1907. He was a founder member of The Cullivoe Traditional Fiddle Band.
See also Shetland Fiddle Music Discography

James C Johnstone Orcadian fiddler and composer.
Biography/Discography | Orkney Fiddle Music |

Ian Laing An Edinburgh Doctor.

Douglas Lawrence From Stirling. Winner of the 1977 National Fidlle Championship.

William Marshall One of Scotland's great fiddler/composers.
Biography |

David McCallum A fiddler from the 78 era.
Discography |

Peter Milne Composer of a small but heavenly canon of Scottish fiddle tunes.
Biography |

Donald Montgomery From Alloa.

Mackenzie Murdoch A fiddler from the 78 era.
Discography |

Orkney Fiddle Music
A short essay on fiddle music from Orkney.

Gary Peterson Played with the Shetland group Hom Bru.

James Stewart Robertson Founder member of the Edinburgh Strathspey & Reel Society and compiler of The Athole Collection.
Biography |

Lindsay Scott Joined The JSD Band in 1971 after being spotted playing fiddle at the Thurso Folk Festival.

Thomas B Shaw Scottish fiddler, composer.
Biography/Discography | Detailed Discography |

Shetland Fiddle Music Discography
The start of a Shetland discography.

Alec Sim Scottish fiddler, composer.
Biography |

James Scott Skinner Revered composer of over 600 tunes in the Scots idiom.
Biography | ABC collection

Rob Smith Shetland fiddler and composer of the celebrated tune, Sandy Bell's Hornpipe

George Stark Itinerant blind fiddler from Dundee who paid regular visits to Shetland between 1902 and 1938. He was often accompanied by a guitarist.

Yla Steven Edinburgh teacher. Recorded a few albums, both solo and with other artists.

Chris Stout Shetland fiddler and member of Fiddler's Bid.

Tom Spiers Aberdeen. Played with the group The Gaugers.

George I Taylor A celebrated fiddler from Aberdeen. Although Taylor played left-handed, his violin was strung normally. His father was the Left-Handed Fiddler of the famous tune by James Scott Skinner.

Carl Volti 19th Century contributor to Kerr's Merry Melodies.
Biography |

Willie Wright Founder member of Fife Strathspey & Reel Society