Guests Appearing

The guests which have been confirmed to appear at this year’s 2011 Traditional Music Weekend are:

The Bainbridges Ceilidh Band & Singers

The Marsden Rattlers Band from Tyneside were frequent visitors to Fife in the 1960’s, and Jim Bainbridge (melodeon & songs) was musical leader in those days. His sister Kathy (piano & songs) was a stalwart of Edinburgh University Folk Club at about the same time, and Jim’s wife, Francie, has been rattling her spoons for many years now!

Jim & Francie moved to Glentrool, in Galloway, some years ago, where they play regularly, and more recently, Kathy moved a little nearer the border, to just outside Hexham. Together they play traditional music from NE England, Scotland, Ireland and beyond, with songs from all of those places.

The Rattlers were re-formed for our 30'th. Birthday Celebrations last year, and the Bainbridge, all with East of Scotland ancestry, are looking forward to another excellent weekend of music in a place which has become a second home over the years.

Jim has many recordings, two of the most recent being ‘Light on The Water’ and ‘Galloway House’.

Jess Smith Story Teller & Singer

Jess is an internationally renowned storyteller, travelling all over the world to take part in festivals and to share her knowledge with the people that she meets. Jess actively encourages teaching storytelling as part of children’s education and has worked with many schools throughout the UK. Through this, she aims to promote a cultural awareness through storytelling. Jess has appeared as a guest at many festivals, from Scotland to England, Ireland and Australia! It is a pleasure to welcome Jess back to the Auchtermuchty Festival.

“One of Scotland’s most popular authors - a truly charismatic speaker with innate storytelling ability.” - Stirling Council

Jock Duncan Traditional Singer

Jock is one of Scotland’s great traditional singers. A farm worker from the North-East, Jock Duncan is a singer of the muckle sangs and bothy ballads of his native Aberdeenshire.

He inherited a rich repertoire of songs from his family and from other singers in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire. Jock was inducted into the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2006. Jock will appearing on the Saturday only and we are delighted to have him again as a guest. Don’t miss him this weekend!

Heather Haywood 
Singers, guitarists & Story Tellers

“Heather Heywood is widely regarded as a 'singers singer' and has earned the respect of many of the UK's top performers, most regarding her as among the very best of the current generation of Scotland’s traditional singers.”

All good folk musicians re-interpret their material in the light of their own experience and time and they make it their own. Heather Heywood, from Ayrshire, unquestionably has a rare and beautiful voice, but what distinguishes her singing from many other lovely voices is a quite exceptional depth of understanding about the material - new as well as old. Heather’s interpretative powers have been well known in her native Scotland for many years. Best known for her interpretation of traditional songs, her repertoire is wide with the bulk of her material coming from the Scottish tradition.  

Heather is being accompanied this weekend by her husband Pete, a fine singer and story-teller in his own right and also a publisher of the highly respected "The Living Tradition" magazine."

Alistair Ogilvy Singer

Alistair is originally from the Stirlingshire village of Strathblane, and is a fine traditional songster. Alistair feels the songs and music is inherent in him and has been inspired by singers like Gordeanna McCulloch, Rod Paterson and Maureen Jelks to name but a few. Alistair performs all over the country solo and with a band, been featured at many festivals, events and radio shows.

He was recently a finalist in the 'BBC Scotland young traditional musician of the year 2011' and was also 'TMSA young singer if merit'.

Alistair has been lucky enough to be on the same bill of many fine artists including Sheena Wellington who said: 

"Alistair Ogilvy was a revelation - what a beautifully melodic voice that laddie has coupled with a real understanding of what he is singing"

Alistair is extremely excited and privileged to be asked to sing at the festival alongside such esteemed performers.

Fiona Hunter Singer

As lead singer with Folk Band of the Year, Malinky, Fiona is much in demand as a performer. A native of Glasgow, Fiona graduated in 2004 with a BA hons in Scottish Music from the RSAMD, where she studied with the renowned Scots singer Alison McMorland. Since graduating she has performed extensively around the world with Malinky and performed alongside former RSAMD course leader and ex-Battlefield Band stalwart Brian McNeill, at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC. In 2008 & 2010 Fiona was nominated for 'Scots Singer of the Year' at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.

Scott Gardiner & Johnny Kemp
Singer with guitar accompaniment

Scott Gardiner is one of Scotland’s top traditional singers, and has been performing at concerts and festivals across the country since his schooldays.

Brought up on a farm near Forfar, he is best known for singing the bothy ballads and songs of the north-east. Career highlights include representing Scotland at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in the USA, winning the Bothy Ballad World Championship in Elgin, a nomination for Trad Awards Scots Singer of the Year, and a 20 year run of performances at the Kirrie Pensioners Christmas Party.

Scott is joined on the Saturday by ace guitarist Johnny Kemp. Who went through years in the wilderness of rock, blues and funk outfits, before working his way round to bothy. John plays bass with ceilidh band Teannaich, and is involved with various musical projects in his native Anstruther.

Bryce Johnstone Scottish mouth-organ

I was born in Leslie Fife into a piping family. My father and two brothers were involved in pipe bands. My first introduction to the “moothie” was through my mother, who played a few tunes at home. I have been attending festivals since the mid 70’s starting in the Kinross era. I started competing and winning several times at Keith, Kirriemuir, Newcastleton and Auchtermuchty. I have taken workshops at the British Harmonica Championships, Bristol and played in the evening concert.

I now play on the accordion and fiddle club scene and have recently brought out my second CD called Sook ‘n’ Blaw. I have also some compilation tracks on other CDs and DVDs.

Sheila Kinninmonth Story Teller

Sheila is based in Fife, Scotland and is a qualified nursery nurse with a degree in Early Childhood Studies. For the past 25 years she has worked with pre-school and early primary aged children in school, nursery and playgroup. Sheila is also a network member of the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

“I tell mainly traditional stories from around the world including Scottish folk and fairy tales which celebrate the Scots language....”

“... I have always used storytelling to entertain and educate the children in my care and consider storytelling an important part of the curriculum for all children.”

Wattie Robson & Les Sneddon
Border Fiddler & Guitarist

Wattie Robson (Fiddle) Born 27/07/47
Fiddle lessons at 5yrs old for almost 6 months, piano lessons for the same. Played cornet in town band from 12yrs old for a few years. Went back to Fiddle at 21. Guested at various festivals for T.M.S.A. with Bob Hopkirk & Tam Hughs. Played in various bands: Eric Goodfellow, Jock Borthwick (S.C. dance bands ) Country Gold (C.&W. band); Irish Band from Carlisle; John Wright Band touring Holland/Germany/Belgium/ G.B.

His favorite fiddler who he shared the stage with at Rothbury festival in the 80s was Sean Mcguire.

Les Sneddon (Guitar/Vocals) Born (much later)
Following his fathers footsteps, Les was performing as a youth in many musical productions. The high-light of this being on stage with the Yehudi Menuin youth orchestra at the age of 15 in Haddington. He was a member of many bands following this, with a strong ‘folk’ influence, performing on radio and on C.D.s.

Influenced by Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) / John Martyn and by no means last ‘Peerie-Wuille-Johnstone’ the famous Shetland-Shuffle guitarist. Les feels privileged to have spent several days with Peerie Wuille culminating in a three hour guitar session.

Duncan Mc.Rae Traditional Singer

My father was a shepherd and I was born in Glenmaick. My parents weren’t singers but there was plenty music in the house in accordions and penny whistles etc. We moved around Perthshire a lot and I finished my schooling at Coupar Angus J S School.

When working as a tractorman with J&T McGregor at West Banchory I saw Bothy Nights on Grampian TV and dug out all the song books and learnt the songs and sang to the seagulls whilst ploughing!

I joined the REME, got my trade as Blacksmith/Welder and after 6 years service went to work with G&R Smith, Acharn.

In January 1974 I moved to Coaltown of Balgonie Smithy and have been there ever since. When I met Bobby Sutherland at Thornton Church we started a concert party entertaining WRI, Guilds and old folks’ homes etc. I was influenced by Hamish Imlach who I met in Germany and also Charlie Allan. Sheena Wellington introduced me to Child Ballads etc.

I have won trophies at Auchtermuchty, Kirriemuir, Keith and Strichen and Aberdeen this year.

Neil Paterson
Scottish Small Pipes

Neil Paterson took up the Scottish small pipes in 1991 having saved up every penny he earned to buy a set of Hamish Moore’s pipes. A subsequent encounter with local Singer/songwriter John Watt led to the pair performing as a duo in Folk clubs and festivals for a few years. Since then Neil has worked with many traditional singers and bands including Pete Shepheard, Tommy Bonar and Jock Duncan as well as Jack Beck, Sheena Wellington, Tich Frier, Colin Ramage and Gaberlunzie. In July 2011 he will have played with ‘The Carlos Nunez band’ and ‘The Chieftains’ at Skagen Festival (Denmark). Neil also plays tin whistle and Guitar. Much of his playing in recent years has been with ‘The Orwell Ceilidh Band’ along with his wife, Gail, on accordion. He also plays with ‘Cairdeas’, an exciting music and song trio which also includes Colin Ramage and Iain Anderson.

Càirdeas Traditional Singing Group

Hailing from central Scotland, Càirdeas (pronounced car-dis) are a lively, entertaining and highly accomplished trio featuring three Scottish traditional musicians; Colin Ramage, Neil Paterson and Iain Anderson. Originally formed for a tour of Switzerland they now perform at top international festivals, corporate events, British embassies, Caledonian societies and Scottish celebrations all over the world. Oh, and just incase you wondered, Càirdeas means ‘friendship‘ and ‘kinship‘ in Scottish Gaelic!

Workshops, competitions, sessions, concerts, open-air dancing, ceilidhs... for all ages!

Come along and join us for a great weekend of traditional music and song with some of the very finest singers and musicians in the country!