Box and Fiddle Archive
  • Home
  • Musician Biographies
    • Surnames A to B >
      • Mickie Ainsworth
      • Tom Alexander MBE >
        • 1998 - 40 Years in Showbiz
        • Oct 2008 - 50th Anniversary
        • Oct 2008 - 50th Anniversary
        • 2009 Guest of honour
        • 2009 Guest of Honour
        • Nov 2013 Jack's Obituary
      • Paul Anderson of Tarland
      • Dr Tom Anderson MBE
      • Willie Atkinson
      • Freeland Barbour
      • Dave Barclay
      • George Bell
      • Bill Black >
        • 2006
        • March 1983
      • Jimmy Blair
      • Jimmy Blue >
        • Oct / Nov 1990
        • February 2000
      • Joan Blue (1987) >
        • Joan Blue (2016)
      • David Bowen
      • Robin Brock >
        • Oct 1982
        • Feb 1982
        • Mar 2014
      • Bill Brown (CD Reviewer)
      • Bobby Brown (Adam Rennie Quartet)
      • Bobby Brown (Canada) >
        • March 1982
        • April 1997
        • January 2007
        • May 2011
      • Felix Burns
    • Surnames C - D >
      • Stuart Cameron
      • John Carmichael
      • Rab Carruthers
      • Iain Cathcart
      • Bobby Coghill
      • Bobby Colgan
      • Jack Cooper
      • Charlie Cowie
      • Jim Crawford
      • John Crawford
      • Bobby Crowe
      • David Cunningham Snr
      • George Darling
      • Jack Delaney
      • Keith Dickson
      • Blair Douglas >
        • Run Rig Dance Band
      • John Douglas
    • Surnames E to G >
      • Jimmy Edwards
      • John Ellis
      • Robin Ellis >
        • Robin Ellis
      • Jack Emblow
      • Bill Ewan
      • Colin Finlayson
      • Angus Fitchet
      • David Flockhart
      • Ewan Galloway
      • Graham Geddes
      • Ron Gonella >
        • Mar 1994
        • Oct 1982
      • Rob Gordon
      • Niel Gow
      • Billy Grant (drummer)
    • Surnames H - J >
      • Jim Halcrow >
        • Jim Halcrow
      • Derek Hamilton
      • Stan Hamilton
      • William Hannah
      • Matthew Hardie
      • Addie Harper
      • Isobel Harper
      • Bobby Harvey
      • Bill Hendry
      • Ian Holmes
      • Max Houliston >
        • Jan 1983
        • March 1992
      • Tom Hughes (1986)
      • Alastair Hunter
      • Graham Jamieson >
        • Dec 1983
      • Jim Johnstone >
        • March 1982
        • Sept 1992
    • Surnames K to L >
      • Ron Kerr
      • Charlie Kirkpatrick
      • Andrew Knight
      • Sandy Legget
      • Judith Linton
    • Surnames Mac - Mc >
      • Alex MacArthur
      • Alasdair MacCuish
      • Alistair McCulloch
      • Fergie MacDonald
      • Bobby MacLeod >
        • Memories of (2009)
      • Jim MacLeod
      • Rory MacLeod
      • Neil McMillan
      • Iain MacPhail >
        • May 2003
        • Sept 1982
      • Fraser McGlynn
      • Nicol McLaren
    • Surnames M >
      • Dougie Maxwell
      • Gus Millar
      • Graeme Mitchell
      • Dennis Morrison
      • Ian Muir
      • Bert Murray
      • Ken Mutch
    • Surnames N - P >
      • Paddy Neary
      • Craig Paton
      • Gordon Pattullo >
        • Gordon Pattullo (40th Anniv)
      • Iain Peterson
      • Ian Powrie >
        • The People's Journal
        • Sept 1983
    • Surnames R >
      • Andrew Rankine
      • Frank Reid
      • Tony Reid
      • Adam Rennie
      • John Renton
      • Donal Ring
      • Jim Ritchie
      • Arthur Scott Robertson
      • Graham Ross
      • Lindsay Ross
    • Surnames S >
      • Stan Saunders
      • Sir Jimmy Shand >
        • April 1982
        • Feb 1998 (90 Years old)
        • Feb 1999 (Knighthood)
        • Jan 2001
        • Feb 2001 (Tributes)
        • Oct 2003 (Sculpture)
        • Sept 2016 (Auction of Memorabilia)
      • Neil Sinclair
      • James Scott Skinner >
        • April 1993
      • Robbie Shepherd >
        • October 1985
        • M.B.E. March 2001
        • 2006 Hamish Henderson Award
      • George 'Faunty' Smith
      • Gordon Smith
      • Hamish Smith
      • Will Starr
      • Andy Stewart MBE
      • Liam Stewart
      • George Stirrat
    • Surnames T >
      • Bill Thom
      • Kenny Thomson
      • Sandy Tulloch
      • Violet Tulloch
    • Surnames W - Y >
      • David Vernon
      • Robin & Deryn Waitt
      • Robert Whitehead
      • Bill Wilkie MBE
      • Pam Wilkie
      • Norrie Williams
      • Callum Wilson
      • Ena Wilson
      • Iain Wilson
      • Kenny Wilson
      • Peter and Daniel Wyper
      • Jimmy Yeaman
    • Poems by Andy Stewart >
      • Jimmy Shand
      • Angus Fitchet
      • Bobby MacLeod
      • Ian Powrie
    • Poem by Jock Turpie
  • Roll of Honour
    • Accordion Teachers >
      • Jean Brown (2009) >
        • Jean Brown (Cambusnethan, Wishaw)
      • Louis Cabrelli
      • Renaldo Capaldi (2008)
      • Charles Duncan
      • Peter Farnan
      • Ron Hodgson (1982)
      • Ron Hodgson (2014)
      • Charles 'Chick' Kelly (21/01/95)
      • Chrissie Leatham
      • Jimmy Martin (2008)
      • Owen Murray
      • Bill Spence (2007)
      • Tom Veldon (15/01/95)
      • Wilson Wood (2005)
      • Rosemary Wright
    • Obituaries >
      • A to B >
        • Bobby Abbott (2016)
        • Mickie Ainsworth (2012)
        • Ian Anderson (Forres) 2004
        • John Anderson (2005)
        • Will Atkinson (2003)
        • Dave Barclay
        • JIm Barrie (2016)
        • Bill Black (2016)
        • Jim Berry (2012)
        • Jimmy Blue (1999)
        • Bill Brian (2011)
        • Jim Brown (1998)
      • C >
        • Angus Cameron (1998)
        • Colin Campbell (2015)
        • Duncan Campbell (2011)
        • Ronnie Coburn
        • Terry Connor (2000)
        • Ronnie Cooper (1982)
        • Charlie Cowie (1995)
        • Ernie Cowie (2009)
        • Jim Crawford (2007)
        • Ian Crichton (1934 - 99)
        • Bobby Cronie (1998)
        • Roger Crook (1942 - 2013)
        • Bobby Crowe (2014)
      • D to E >
        • Tony Dalton (2014) >
          • Tony Dalton (2014)
        • Adrian Dante (2005)
        • Jim Devlin (1989)
        • Ian Duncan (2011)
        • Maurice Duncan (2017)
        • Tommy Edmondson (2001)
        • Bob Edward (1998)
        • Peem Edwards (1999)
        • John Ellis (2015)
      • F to G >
        • John Fairbairn (2003)
        • Frank Farquharson (2002)
        • Colin Finlayson (1952-93)
        • Angus Fitchet (1998)
        • Tommy Ford (2017)
        • John Gibson (1961 - 1990)
        • Eric Goodfellow (2008)
        • Rob Gordon (24/04/94)
        • Jack Gray (1929-2013)
        • Wilbert (Bill) Grund (2010)
      • H to K >
        • Jim Halcrow (2015)
        • Tom Hall (2011)
        • Ian Hardie (2012)
        • William J. Hardie (1916 - 95)
        • Addie Harper (2002)
        • Alistair Henderson (2005)
        • Bill Hendry (1995) (of Falkirk)
        • Alasdair Heron (2010)
        • Bob Hobkirk (2002)
        • Ian Holmes (2017)
        • John Huband (1942 - 2000)
        • Christine Hunter (1998)
        • Willie Hunter (1994)
        • Joe Hutton (1995)
        • Dave Ireland (1992)
        • Gordon Jamieson (2005)
        • Allan Kindness (2014)
      • L >
        • John Laidlaw (1996)
        • Tommy Lees (2014)
        • Alex Little (2001)
        • Ben Lyons (2015)
      • Mac to M >
        • Mark MacDougall (2015)
        • Iain MacFadyen (1983) (Producer)
        • Ally MacIntyre (2015)
        • John Mackie (1996)
        • Calum MacLean (2015)
        • Jim MacLeod (2004)
        • Jim MacRae (2001)
        • Gervasio Marcosignori (2013)
        • John McDonald (2016)
        • Ewan McGowan (2015)
        • Blanche McInnes (1988)
        • Allan McIntosh (2012)
        • Iain McLachlan (1995)
        • Bob McMath (2016)
        • Jim Muir (2001)
        • George Muir (1995)
        • Bert Murray MBE (2003)
      • N to R >
        • Andrew Nairn (2010)
        • Eann Nicolson (1990)
        • Dermot O'Brien (2007)
        • Stan Peacock (1994)
        • Bill Powrie (1980)
        • Ian Powrie (2011)
        • Bert Rae (2015)
        • Ian Redford (1988)
        • Jimmy Ritchie (2001)
        • John Rooney (2015)
      • S to T >
        • Stan Saunders (2011)
        • Davie Simpson of Invergowrie (1999)
        • Gordon Simpson (2016)
        • Bill Smith (1998) (Banchory)
        • Ian Smith (2005) First Editor)
        • Margaret Smith (2015)
        • Alex 'Toby' Stewart (2010)
        • Andy Stewart (1933-93)
        • Billy Stewart (2016)
        • Roy Stewart (2005)
        • Peter Straughan (1999)
        • Kenny Thomson (2013)
        • Toralf Tollefsen (27/11/94)
        • Bobby Torrance (2011)
        • Dr Sandy Tulloch (2006)
      • U to Z >
        • Jimmy Urquhart (1993)
        • Roddy Urquhart (2000)
        • Charlie Walkins (2014)
        • Bill Wilkie (2017)
        • Ian Wilkie (1995)
        • Norrie Williams (2015)
        • Willie Wilson (1991) (Beith)
  • NAAFC Awards Archive
    • NAAFC Honours >
      • 1979
      • 1980s >
        • 81 Angus Fitchet
        • 82 Bobby MacLeod
        • 83 Ian Powrie
        • 84 Andy Stewart MBE
      • 1990s >
        • 90 Jimmy Blue
        • 92 Robbie Shepherd MBE
        • 94 Alex MacArthur
        • 94 Andrew Rankine
        • 95 Max Houliston
        • 96 Jim MacLeod MBE
        • 97 Musicians of Shetland
        • 98 Ian Holmes
        • 99 Bill Black
      • 2000s >
        • 00 Bobby Crowe
        • 00 Alex Little
        • 00 Jim Ritchie
        • 00 Stan Saunders
        • 00 Bill Thom
        • 00 Pam Wilkie
        • 01 Mickie Ainsworth
        • 01 Addie Harper
        • 01 Jim Johnstone
        • 01 Bill Wilkie MBE
        • 02 Dave Barclay
        • 02 John Crawford
        • 02 David Cunningham
        • 02 Gus Millar
        • 02 Jimmy Yeaman
        • 03 Iain MacPhail
        • 04 John Carmichael
        • 04 Iain Peterson
        • 05 Bobby Coghill
        • 05 Ken Mutch
        • 05 Robert Whitehead
        • 06 Jack Cooper
        • 06 Jack Delaney
        • 06 David Flockhart
        • 07 Jimmy Burgess
        • 07 Bobby Colgan
        • 08 Bobby Harvey
        • 08 Neil MacMillan
        • 08 Gordon Pattullo
        • 09 Tom Alexander MBE
        • 09 Andrew Knight
      • 2010s >
        • 10 John Ellis
        • 10 Fraser McGlynn
        • 11 Bobby Brown (Canada)
        • 11 Ian Muir
        • 12 John Douglas
        • 12 Jim Halcrow
        • 12 Charlie Kirkpatrick
        • 13 Derek Hamilton
        • 14 Robin Brock
        • 14 Calum MacLean
        • 14 Hamish Smith
        • 15 David Ross
        • 15 Iain Wilson
        • 15 Kenny Wilson
        • 15 Gordon Young
        • 16 Joan Blue
        • 16 Bill Ewan
        • 16 Isobel Harper
        • 16 Neil Sinclair
        • 17 George Darling
        • 17 Alasdair MacLeod
        • 17 Violet Tulloch
    • BAFFI Awards
    • Scholarship
    • SDB of the Year
  • Club Reports
    • Club Reports Summary >
      • 1970s
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    • Club Directory
    • Guest Artistes >
      • Summary
      • Lesmahagow A&F Club >
        • 1980s
        • 1990s
        • 2000s
      • Newtongrange >
        • 1970s
        • 1980s
        • 1990s
        • 2000s
        • 2010s
      • Perth A&F Club >
        • 1970s
        • 1980s
        • 1990s
        • 2000s
        • 2010s
    • A >
      • Aberdeen A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Acharacle A&F Club >
        • 1988 - 89
      • Alnwick A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 25th Birthday (2002)
      • Annan A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
      • Arbroath A&F Club >
        • 1989 - 90
      • Armadale A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 21st Birthday (1999)
      • Ayr A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
    • B >
      • Balloch A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Banchory
      • Banff and District
      • Beith & District A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 40th Anniversary (Beith)
      • Biggar A&F Club >
        • 1970s >
          • 1977 - 78
          • 1978 - 79
          • 1979 - 80
        • 1980s >
          • 1980 - 81
          • 1981 - 88
          • 1988 - 89
          • 1989 - 90
        • 1990s >
          • 1990 - 91
          • 1990 - 91
          • 1991 - 92
          • 1992 - 93
          • 1993 - 94
          • 1994 - 95
          • 1995 - 96
          • 1996 - 97
          • 1997 - 98
          • 1998 - 99
          • 25th Anniversary (1999)
          • 1999-2000
        • 2000s >
          • 2000 - 01
          • 2001 - 02
          • 2002 - 03
          • 2003 - 04
          • 2004 - 05
          • 2005 - 06
          • 2006 - 07
          • 2007 - 08
          • 2008 - 09
          • 2009 - 10
        • 2010s >
          • 2010 - 11
          • 2011 - 12
          • 2012 - 13
          • 2013 - 14
          • 2014 - 15
          • 2015 - 16
          • 2016 - 17
          • 2017 - 18
      • Blairgowrie A&F Club >
        • 1987 - 88
      • Brig Mill A&F Club >
        • 1989 - 90
      • Britannia (Kirkcudbright) A&F Club >
        • 2007 - 08
      • Bromley A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
        • Bromley (2014)
      • Buchan A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Button Key (Windygates) A&F Club >
        • 1987 - 88
        • 20th Anniv (2007)
    • C >
      • Callander A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
      • Campbeltown A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
      • Campsie A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
        • The Campsie Players
        • 20th Anniversary (2015)
      • Carlisle A&F Club >
        • 1993 - 94
      • Castle Douglas A&F Club
      • Coalburn A&F Club >
        • 1988 - 89
      • Coldingham A&F Club >
        • 2008 - 09
      • Coupar Angus A&F Club >
        • 1978 - 79
      • Crathes A&F Club
      • Cults A&F Club >
        • 1999 - 2000
      • Cumnock & District A&F Club >
        • History
        • 1977 - 78
    • D >
      • Dalriada A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 21st Birthday (2002)
      • Denny & Dunipace A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
      • Dingwall A&F Club >
        • 1979 - 80
        • 21st Anniversary (2000)
        • 25th Anniversary (2004)
      • Dumfries Accordion Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 1978 - 79
        • 1979 - 80
      • Dunblane A&F Club
      • Dundee & District A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Dunfermline & District A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club >
        • 1987 - 88
      • Duns A&F Club >
        • 2004 - 05
    • E to F >
      • East Kilbride A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
        • 1984 - 85
      • Edinburgh / Chrissie Leatham A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
      • Ellon A&F Club >
        • 1994 - 95
      • Ettrick & Yarrow >
        • 1990 - 91
      • Falkirk A&F Club >
        • 1978 - 79
      • Fintry A&F Club
      • Forfar A&F Club >
        • 1988 - 89
      • Forres A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • Forres 21st Anniv (1999)
      • Fort William A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
    • G >
      • Galston A&F Club >
        • Club History
        • 1977 - 78
        • 30th Anniversary (1999)
        • Final Report (2006)
      • Glendale A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 40th Anniversary (Glendale)
      • Glenfarg A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
      • Glenrothes A&F Club >
        • 1993 - 94
      • Gorebridge A&F Club >
        • 1981 - 82
      • Gretna (see North Cumbria) A&F Club
    • H to K >
      • Haddington A&F Club >
        • 2004 - 05
      • Highland A&F Club >
        • Club History
        • 1977 - 78
        • Highland 25th Birthday (1999)
        • 40th Anniversary (Highland)
      • Inveraray A&F Club >
        • 1991 - 92
      • Islay A&F Club >
        • 1993 - 94
      • Isle of Skye A&F Club >
        • 1988 - 89
      • Islesteps A&F Club >
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
      • Kelso A&F Club >
        • Introducing the Clubs No 8
        • 1977 - 78
        • 30th Anniv (2006)
      • Kinlochsheil A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
      • Kintore A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 2010 - 11
    • L >
      • Ladybank A&F Club >
        • 1997 - 98
      • Lanark A&F Club >
        • 1996 - 97
      • Langholm A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Lauder A&F Club >
        • 2009 - 10
      • Lesmahagow A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
        • 1984 - 85
        • Closure announced
        • 2005 Final Report
      • Lewis & Harris A&F Club >
        • 1996 - 97
        • 20th Anniversary
      • Livingston A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • Murdo MacLeod
      • Lockerbie A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 40th Anniversary (Lockerbie)
    • M >
      • The M.A.F.I.A. >
        • History
        • 1977 - 78
        • Closing Speech
      • Mauchline >
        • 30th Anniv (Mauchline)
      • Monklands A&F Club >
        • 1978 - 79
      • Montrose A&F Club >
        • 1984 - 85
      • Morecambe A&F Club
      • Muirhead A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
    • N >
      • Newburgh A&F Club >
        • 2002 - 03
        • 40th Anniversary
        • Jim Berry
      • New Cumnock A&F Club >
        • 1979 - 80
      • Newmill-on-Teviot A&F Club >
        • 1999 - 2000
      • Newtongrange A&F Club >
        • 1979 - 80
      • Newton St Boswells >
        • 1977 - 78
      • North Cumbria (Gretna) A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • North East (Keith) A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • Ian Duncan
        • 40th Anniversary North East
      • Northern (Templepatrick, N.I.) A&F Club >
        • 2011 - 12
    • O to P >
      • Oban A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 25th Anniversary (1999)
      • Orkney A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
      • Peebles A&F Club >
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
        • 1984 - 85
      • Perth & District A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 1992 Letter
        • 40th Anniv (2010)
      • Phoenix (Ardrishaig) A&F Club >
        • 2004 - 05
      • Premier A&F Club
    • R to S >
      • Reading Scottish Fiddlers >
        • 1997 - 98
      • Renfrew A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Renfrew (Moorpark) A&F Club >
        • 1984 - 85
      • Rothbury (Coquetdale) A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 25th Anniversary (1999)
      • Scottish Accordion Music (Crathes) >
        • 1998 - 99
      • Seghill Comrades A&F Club >
        • 2010 - 11
      • Selkirk A&F Club >
        • 1998 - 99
      • Shetland A&F Club
      • Stirling A&F Club >
        • 1991 - 92
      • Stonehouse A&F Club >
        • 2004 - 05
      • Straiton A&F Club >
        • History
        • 1977 - 78
      • Stranraer A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Sutherland A&F Club >
        • 1987 - 88
        • 20th Anniv (2007)
    • T to Z >
      • Thornhill A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
      • Torthorwald A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Turriff 30th Anniversary
      • Tynedale A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • Tynedale 30th Anniv (2010)
      • Uist & Benbecula A&F Club >
        • 2007 - 08
      • Wellbank A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • West Barnes A&F Club >
        • 2001 - 02
      • Wick A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 25th Birthday (2001)
        • 40th Anniversary (2015)
  • Pipe Music Articles
    • Composers A - L >
      • Willie Bryson
      • John D Burgess
      • Duncan Campbell
      • George Cockburn
      • William D Dumbreck
      • William Fergusson
      • Ron Fleming
      • Duncan Johnstone
      • Willie Lawrie
    • Composers Mac >
      • John MacColl
      • John MacDonald
      • Angus MacKay
      • Hugh MacKay
      • John M MacKenzie BEM
      • Donald MacLean of Lewis
      • Capt John A MacLellan MBE
      • Donald MacLeod
      • Peter R MacLeod Snr & Jnr
      • Archibald MacNeill
    • Composers M + Mc >
      • David Charles Mather
      • James Mauchline
      • Captain D R McLellan
      • John McLellan
      • George S McLennan
      • Donald McPhedran
    • Composers N - Z >
      • Donald Shaw Ramsay
      • James Ross Riddell
      • James "Robbie" Robertson
      • Willie Ross
      • John Wilson
  • B&F Issues (1977-2016)
    • Oct 1977 - Apr 1980 >
      • Oct 1977 - Apr 78
      • Oct 1978 - Apr 79 >
        • Oct 1978
        • Nov 1978
        • Dec 1978
        • Jan 1979
        • Feb 1979
        • Mar 1979
        • Apr 1979
      • Sept 1979 - Apr 80 >
        • Sept 1979
        • Oct 1979
        • Nov 1979
        • Dec 1979
        • Jan 1980
        • Feb 1980
        • Mar 1980
        • Apr 1980
    • Sept 1980 - Apr 1985 >
      • Sept 1980 - Apr 81 >
        • Sept 1980
        • Oct 1980
        • Nov 1980
        • Dec 1980
        • Jan 1981
        • Feb 1981
        • Mar 1981
        • Apr 1981
      • Sept 1981 - Apr 82 >
        • Sept 1981
        • Oct 1981
        • Nov 1981
        • Dec 1981
        • Jan 1982
        • Feb 1982
        • Mar 1982
        • Apr 1982
      • Sept 1982 - Apr 83 >
        • Sept 1982
        • Oct 1982
        • Nov 1982
        • Dec 1982
        • Jan 1983
        • Feb 1983
        • Mar 1983
        • Apr 1983
      • Sept 1983 - Apr 84 >
        • Sept 1983
        • Oct 1983
        • Nov 1983
        • Dec 1983
        • Jan 1984
        • Feb 1984
        • Mar 1984
        • Apr 1984
      • Sept 1984 - Apr 85 >
        • Sept 1984
        • Oct 1984
        • Nov 1984
        • Dec 1984
        • Jan 1985
        • Feb 1985
        • Mar 1985
        • Apr 1985
    • Sept 1985 - Apr 1990 >
      • Sept 1985 - Apr 86 >
        • Sept 1985
        • Oct 1985
        • Nov 1985
        • Dec 1985
        • Jan / Feb 1986
        • Mar 1986
        • Apr 1986
      • Sept 1986 - Apr 87 >
        • Sept 1986
        • Oct 1986
        • Nov 1986
        • Dec 1986
        • Jan 1987
        • Feb 1987
        • Mar 1987
        • Apr 1987
      • Sept 1987 - Apr 88 >
        • Sept 1987
        • Oct 1987
        • Nov 1987
        • Dec 1987
        • Jan 1988
        • Feb 1988
        • Mar 1988
        • Apr 1988
      • Sept 1988 - Apr 89 >
        • Sept 1988
        • Oct/Nov 1988
        • Dec 1988
        • Jan 1989
        • Feb 1989
        • Mar 1989
        • Apr 1989
      • Sept 1989 - Apr 90 >
        • Sept 1989
        • Oct 1989
        • Nov 1989
        • Dec 1989
        • Jan 1990
        • Feb 1990
        • Mar 1990
        • Apr 1990
    • Sept 1990 - Apr 1995 >
      • Sept 1990 - Apr 91 >
        • Sept 1990
        • Oct/Nov 1990
        • Dec 1990
        • Jan 1991
        • Feb 1991
        • Mar 1991
        • Apr 1991
      • Sept 1991 - Apr 92 >
        • Sept 1991
        • Oct 1991
        • Nov 1991
        • Dec 1991
        • Jan 1992
        • Feb 1992
        • Mar 1992
        • Apr 1992
      • Sept 1992 - Apr 93 >
        • Sept 1992
        • Oct 1992
        • Nov 1992
        • Dec 92 / Jan 93
        • Feb 1993
        • Mar 1993
        • Apr 1993
      • Sept 1993 - Apr 94 >
        • Sept 1993
        • Oct 1993
        • Nov 1993
        • Dec 93 / Jan 94
        • Feb 1994
        • Mar 1994
        • Apr 1994
      • Sept 1994 - Apr 95 >
        • Sept 1994
        • Oct 1994
        • Nov 1994
        • Dec 1994 / Jan 1995
        • Feb 1995
        • Mar 1995
        • April 1995
    • Sept 1995 - Apr 2000 >
      • Sept 1995 - Apr 96 >
        • Sept 1995
        • Oct 1995
        • Nov 1995
        • Dec 1995 / Jan 1996
        • Feb 1996
        • Mar 1996
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George Cockburn
by Charlie Todd
The Hills of Moffat

Picture
George Cockburn in 1915
Few players or listeners will be unfamiliar with the tunes “The Hills of Moffat” and “John D. Burgess”. I recall the late Alex McArthur introducing the latter tune by saying that because of its style many people incorrectly attributed it to Bobby McLeod, a tribute in itself, but that it was actually written by a piper from Moffat – George Cockburn. Where better to start then than by speaking initially to local music and dance enthusiasts Tom and Margaret Porteous, themselves residents of Moffat, who were able to direct me to George’s daughter, Margaret Rae, who still lives in nearby Lockerbie. 

Over a cup of tea Mrs Rae told me about her father. George S. Cockburn was born in Craigmillar in Edinburgh in 1897. He was tutored in piping by his father and on leaving school began work at Murray’s Brewery in Craigmillar. At the outbreak of war in 1914, although only 17, he volunteered and was enlisted into the 9th Battalion Royal Scots – “The Dandy 9th” as they were known. Having served throughout the war in France and Belgium he returned to Murray’s after hostilities ceased where he ultimately became Transport Manager.
Picture
George & John Cockburn in 1918
George became a member of the Highland Piping Society in Edinburgh and over the years won all the Society’s trophies. He was a gifted pibroch player and second to none at playing for Highland dancing. He attended the various Highland Gatherings, Oban being his favourite, and won numerous medals in the competitions. During the Second World War he was Pipe Major of the Edinburgh Home Guard Pipe Band. Always a great family man he taught his two sons and his grandson to pipe but refused point-blank to teach Margaret since he considered it ‘unladylike’.
Picture
Oban Highland Games 1922
George composed a great many tunes over the years but, sadly for us all, most were handed to fellow pipers (for whom the house at Murray’s Brewery was a musical haven) without titles and have probably since been either lost or credited to other composers. One exception was a six eight march which was played at every opportunity by a young piper at the Society who was studying at the Castle under the renowned Pipe Major Willie Ross – John D. Burgess.

During George’s working life one of his greatest pleasures was to motor down from Edinburgh to Moffat in the family’s tiny saloon car. He would halt the car at the top of the Devil’s Beeftub and gaze down at the town, which lies encircled by the beautiful Lowther Hills saying that one day he would stay in Moffat.
Picture
Inverness Highland Games 1923
he chance presented itself for George to do just that when eldest son Iain, a Maths teacher, was offered a post at Moffat Academy. Margaret and husband Neil, had already moved to nearly Kettleholm and when George’s health began to give cause for concern he took the opportunity to retire early and fulfil his dream by settling in Moffat. Although his health forced him to decline an invitation to become involved with the local pipe band in Moffat, he was inspired to compose a tune for them which he entitled “The Hills of Moffat”.

Another direct link with our own music world was provided by Iain. He was very interested in traditional fiddle music and on a visit to Aberdeen he met Hector McAndrew. A close friendship was formed and frequent visits to each others homes ensued. Hector accompanied Iain to fiddle nights with Willie Scott at Eskdalemuir (late Bentpath) and to Kenny Wilson’s home at Elvanfoot. Hector said that given time Iain would have been one of Scotland’s finest exponents of the instrument. Sadly however, fate decreed otherwise and Iain died from cancer at the age of only thirty-four, a loss from which his parents never fully recovered.

George Cockburn died in 1974 leaving us with at least two very fine tunes for which he will long be remembered.

Box and Fiddle
January 1992


Cyber space can be a wonderful thing – it initiated the following correspondence…

I have been intrigued by your website, found by my son, Iain, in Boston, Massachusetts.  You may be interested to know that I have my father's set of pipes still with me, adorned as they are with hallmarked Edinburgh silver, every time he won a trophy, from the 20s on.

He was a musician, and conjured the most wonderful sounds from what is, I have to say, a somewhat uncouth instrument.  I last played his ancient and mellow-sounding set at the funeral of a friend in Kirkcudbright, six years ago.  Alas, arthritis now prohibits me.  Not that I have ever matched his artistry.

The great 6/8 tune John Burgess was originally called Colonel William Frizell.  I think he was in charge of the Home Guard in Edinburgh.  But when John played it one night in our house, my Dad said, "That is your tune."

I did, however, once win a prize (in competition with John Burgess, at The Highland Pipers Society in Edinburgh) of a set of pipes donated by John Shaw – who, famously, died of a heart attack, while piping the corpse of Compton Mackenzie from the beach at Barra to the kirkyard!  I have them still.  The competition tune was Mrs. McDonald of Dunach.

I have a stash of manuscripts of my Dad's.  Most of them – at least the best – are either his, or versions of somebody else’s, and are now commonly played as part of the corpus of folk music.  But I know not whether he, or somebody else, originally composed them.  Bit like Robbie Burns, I suppose, he remanufactured whatever he could find, including themes from his limited collection of Beethoven and Mozart.

John Burgess – whose soccer boots I wore for some years – was, probably, the most gifted piper of his generation, matched possibly by my brother Iain, unfairly brought down by TB and cancer.  He (Iain) was good and gifted, as Hector Mc Andrew said.  Last saw him (McAndrew) at the Mayberry Roadhouse in Corstorphine, Edinburgh – now sadly a casino.

George Cockburn

Dear George,

Delighted to receive your E-mail re your late father.

By coincidence I was playing with the guest band at Karin, our Editor's, Club at Newmill-on-Teviot (near Hawick) on Wednesday night and one of the points I raised was the fact that although we know something of the prolific composers, in many cases we know nothing at all about the people with one or two very good compositions to their credit.  One of the obvious ones in the dance music scene is the Bluebell Polka by F. Stanley (not Jimmy Shand as most people think).  I doubt that there's anyone alive who now knows who F. Stanley was which I find really sad.

Unfortunately no one in the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs has really had the time to knuckle down and do things like research tune titles and composers.  When the magazine started in 1977 a lot of these guys would still be around, (or at the very least people of the next generation who knew them or knew who they were) but in the intervening years they have all gone.  Again on the dance music scene Lindsay Ross, Andrew Rankine, Bobby MacLeod, Angus Fitchet and now Sir Jimmy Shand have departed the scene, all in the last few years.

Anyway, I say this because it was that thought which prompted me a few years ago to try and find out something about you dad.  When Karin set up the Web-site last year it was the first article I re-typed because it was fairly short and I could finish it in an evening and because he was reasonably local (I stay near Biggar). Historically this part of the world isn't known for outstanding musicianship in any field so it was nice to find at least one exception. What I haven't got round to doing was re-establishing where your sister stays to borrow and scan the only photo she had (certainly from your dad's earlier days) when he was in the Dandy 9th.  She did mention at the time that you probably had inherited more interesting photos than she had?  Photos bring articles on the web to life.  Do you have any we could borrow, scan and return?  If so could you please send them to Karin Ingram, Filters House, Dodburn by Hawick TD9 0PG Tele 01450-850 262.

It's interesting that you still have manuscripts. I know what you're saying about the origins of these being rather lost in the mists of time. Rory MacLeod at the Piping Centre in Glasgow edits their magazine “Notes” which comes out quarterly.  They gather some interesting bits and pieces. Their E-mail address is daybreak@btinternet.com - it might be an interesting and informative exercise to photocopy what you have and let them see it.  They have the expertise to recognise known tunes from unknown ones – who knows what may come to light. Their address is The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Cowcaddens, Glasgow, G4 0HW.

Hope to hear from you

Cheers

Charlie Todd

Dear Charlie,

Thanks for the e-mail.

I will dig.

You mention The Bluebell Polka, by F. Stanley, of whom I know not, but I do remember dancing to it in my youth, including to Jimmy Shand, in the BBC studios (in Queen Street?) in Edinburgh in the early 50s, when they used to do a weekly live SCD programme, with an audience to applaud and live dancers to add atmosphere.  Have found a manuscript of The Liberton Polka.  To whom is this attributed? Or was it always there?  A good tune anyways. When I have played it, admittedly to those who would not be expected to know, nobody knew anything about it.

I will look for The Bluebell…

Have dug up some images of my Dad from 1914 and even earlier, both in the Dandy Ninth and afterwards.  And as a stottie wee laddie marching off to war.   I will post them off to Karin, as you say…

I have also just dug up, from the archives, a letter from the front, in 1917, where my Dad asks of his Mother if his Dad likes his latest tune.  This "latest" tune was, I suspect, Colonel Green, a lively 6/8, played by Hector McAndrew and others, especially around Moffat. I have a manuscript of it somewhere.  Will search.

Cheers

George Cockburn

PS: A douce wee toon, Biggar

The photographs duly arrived, as you can see, and this is what George had to say about them…

Dear Karin,

Photos of George Cockburn

Here are some for you to select from, crop, do what you will with.

The small oval is on his enlistment in 1915, aged seventeen.  He was demobbed in February 1919 having, according to his discharge certificate, led a blameless and undistinguished life as a piper in the Dandy Ninth.  He would also, of course, have been a stretcher-bearer, because that is what bandsmen did – presumably after lunatically standing on the parapet.  But he would never talk about the war.

The one of two soldiers (he in the kilt) is of him and his brother John (who was a regular) on his one leave in early 1918.

The solo of him in fancy dress is, I think, at The Inverness Highland Games in 1923 or 4.

The photo of four men is at The Oban Highland Games in 1922; the photo was said by my aunt to be of the three medal winners and the judge in the “Ceol Mhor”.  The judge looks suspiciously like Willie Ross of Edinburgh Castle.  The piper on the right is, I think, John Wilson of Edinburgh, who was a professional piper (Police and Army) whom my dad thought to be one of the best around – until he lost the tips of his fingers in some accident.  He then emigrated to Canada.  But I remember hearing him play beautifully in our house in ’47 or ’48, when he made his one visit back.

The one I like best – never could really understand this passion of Lowlanders to wear Celtic tribal dress – is him in his suit, wi’ his pipes in his hands.

Cheers,

George Cockburn
Picture
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