Box & Fiddle January 2016

Fiddle

39th Year No. 05 Jan 2016

£2.70

BOX& The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

MG ALBA SCOTS

Trad Music Awards HIGHLAND SHOWTIME

The 37th Annual Stanley Ceilidh CLUB REPORTS PLUS CLUB & DANCE DIARIES, REVIEWS, AND MUCH MORE...

Welcome

B&F • EDITORIAL

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...to the January issue of Box & Fiddle The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

Editor • Pia Walker 7 Tarvit Gardens Cupar, Fife, KY15 5BT Tel: 01334 657 850 Mob: 07715 115 489 editor@boxandfiddle.com Designer • Marie Irvine mamidesigns@hotmail.com Section icons by: FlatIcon

Cover Image Orkney Accordion & Fiddle Club Photo: ©MAMi Designs Printer • Meigle Colour Printers www.meigleprint.co.uk

NAAFC Chairman • Nicol McLaren 9 Sheila Road, Blairgowrie Perthshire, PH10 6RP Tel: 01250 874 526 nicol@boxandfiddle.com Vice Chairman • Iain Cathcart Tel: 01555 661 017 iain@boxandfiddle.com Secretary • Susan MacFadyen Carlung Farm, West Kilbride Ayrshire, KA23 9PU Tel: 01294 823 865 susan@boxandfiddle.com Treasurer • Willie Johnstone treasurer@boxandfiddle.com Executive Committee: Charlie Kirkpatrick David Cunningham Margo Maclennan Richard Ross Tom Orr

Welcome to the New Year, and I hope that 2016 will be good to you all. 2015 was eventful, but I hope that 2016 will again show progress in turning the magazine around, so help me please. I am really chuffed about the articles, news items etc. I get sent, keep them coming, people are interested. If you know of anyone who you think should be Centre Pia Walker, Editor Stage then please send their contact details to me and I will pass them on to our Secret Scribe. It doesn’t have to be musicians, it can be the tea lady, a member of the audience etc, because we are all part of what makes the clubs great. I also would like to do the Young Generation more often, so could parents please keep pushing paper and pen (pc, tablet, mobile phone) towards their young, talented kids. They are out there, they just don’t seem to sit down and write. ☺ Speaking of clubs, we lost a few in 2015 due mostly to falling audience numbers, but on a positive note, there are plans afoot for 3 others. I certainly plan to do something in Cupar. Wanted to do something already, but perhaps the winter months are not the best time to try and build something up, added to the fact that I have to start from scratch and need time to sit down and make a list of what I require. I think Good Friends will be the first thing.☺ I said before that this magazine is for all of you, so if you have any ideas that you would like to see in the magazine, let me know.

I was thinking of an occasional club food column – you all eat it and someone makes it for you. So why not send me your recipes of what is popular in your club. Here’s one for January: Filopastry, haggis, mashed neeps and tatties. Cut filopastry in quarters, brush it with melted butter, add a small mount of haggis, neeps and tatties (or just haggis) to one end of the pastry, roll into a parcel and bake in oven until hot through and golden on the outside.

Happy Burns night!

Pia

Keep up with the latest news at

www.boxandfiddle.com Box & Fiddle (NAAFC)

The editorial team reserves the right to refuse or edit all copy. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. Use of material and advertising from this publication is strictly prohibited without permission in writing from the editor.

While every care has been taken in compiling Box & Fiddle to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press, Box & Fiddle assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

Contents

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News Michael Mulford; The Bon Accord Ceilidh; Dumfries Accordion & Fiddle Festival

12 Festivals

2015 Perth Accordion & Fiddle Festival Results; The Scots Fiddle Festival 2015

B&F • CONTENTS

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20

43 Club Diary You are never too old to go Clubbing!

48 Take The Floor Fergie MacDonald

49 Dance Diary

Find the nearest dances and ceilidhs 16 Highland Showtime 18 The 37 Annual Stanley Ceilidh 51 Reviews North of The Grampians Volume One; Reel Reflections; The Strathendrick 20 MG Alba Scots Trad Collection of Scottish Dance Tunes th

Music Awards

22 Centre Stage

54 In Memory

24 Club News

56 Sheet Music

We talk to Brian Forrest

The latest news from our clubs

Mark Simon MacDougall

Erika Ritzau by Alex Ross 2014

Answers to the November Quiz 1. Nicky McMichan, Tom Orr, Blair Gardiner, David Kennedy, Andrew Gibb, Gold Brothers; 2. Sam the Skull; 3. Graeme Mitchell; 4. Robert Black; 5. Martin Henderson; 6. Tait Hall, Kelso; 7. Ray Carse; 8. Straiton; 9. Barjarg Tower, Auldgirt; 10. Jimmy Blue And the winner is David Bolton.

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Festivals

2015

Another good festival in Perth. The dances were well attended and so was the session in both Greyfriars pub and the bar in the hotel. The concert at the end was superb. Here are the winners of the various categories – well done to all participants. You were a joy to listen to.

ALL SCOTLAND SENIOR TRAD. ACCORDION SOLO Jimmy Shand Shield 1. Craig Paton, Kinross 2. Emma Dickson, Dolphinton 3. John Burns, Kilsyth 4. Matthew Maclennan, Edinburgh ALL SCOTLAND JUNIOR TRADITIONAL ACCORDION SOLO CHAMPIONSHIP Angus Accordion College Shield 1. Kyle Rowan, Edinburgh 2. Ewan Dowie, Kettlebridge 3. Andrew Erskine, Biggar SENIOR PIPE MUSIC ACCORDION SOLO Bill Black Cup 1. Stuart Cameron, Glasgow 2. Matthew Maclennan, Edinburgh 3. Adin Graham, Leven

JUNIOR PIPE MUSIC ACCORDION SOLO Charlie Cowie Memorial Cup 1. Andrew Erskine, Biggar 2. Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul, Kyle of Lochalsh 3. Kyle Rowan, Edinburgh UNDER 12 TRADITIONAL ACCORDION SOLO Black Isle Shield 1. Clelland Shand, Dunfermline 2. Abbie Christie, Banchory ALL SCOTLAND SENIOR LADIES TRADITIONAL ACCORDION SOLO CHAMPIONSHIP Margaret Hendry Salver 1. Emma Dickson, Dolphinton ALL SCOTLAND JUNIOR GIRLS TRADITIONAL ACCORDION SOLO CHAMPIONSHIP Jimmy Stephen Salver 1. Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul, Kyle of Lochalsh 2. India Smith, Penicuik 3. Elinor Baker, Isle of Islay

Perth Accordion & Fiddle Festival Results

Own Composition Jimmy Blue Challenge Cup 1. Mary Rutherford 2. Nicol McLaren 3. Mairi Rowan Gaelic Medley (Accordion or Fiddle) Iain MacPhail Trophy 1. Kyle Rowan, Edinburgh 2. Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul, Kyle of Lochalsh 3. Emma Morrison, Wishaw All Scotland Senior Fiddle Solo Championship Ian Powrie Cup 1. George Davidson, Ellon 2. Jack Westwell, Edinburgh 3. Magnus Westwell, Edinburgh ALL SCOTLAND JUNIOR FIDDLE SOLO CHAMPIONSHIP Albie Tedham Trophy 1. Rosie Winchester, Keith 2. Mark Green, Inverness 3. Connie Sim, Huntly

B&F • FESTIVALS

Senior Slow Air Fiddle Solo Pibroch MacKenzie Memorial Quaich 1. George Davidson, Ellon 2. Ellie McLaren, Braemar 3. Shona MacFadyen, East Kilbride Junior Slow Air Fiddle Solo Shelagh Rankine Memorial Trophy 1. Mark Green, Inverness 2. Rosie Winchester, Keith 3. Rachel Havlin, Ellon Under 12 Fiddle Solo Jim Ritchie Challenge Cup 1. Kirsty Grant, Dunbeath 2. Rhiann Matthew, Tarland 3. Emma Morrison, Wishaw 4. Jemma Christie, Banchory ALL SCOTLAND SCOTTISH TRIO CHAMPIONSHIP Perth Accordion Club Trophy 1. Kyle Rowan, Edinburgh 2. Adin Graham, Leven All Scotland Scottish Band Championship Ronnie Cooper Memorial Trophy (Band) 1. Stuart Cameron, Glasgow 2. Craig Paton, Milnathort 3. Robert Black, Bo’ness John Gibson Memorial Trophy (Rhythm) 1. Craig Paton, Milnathort

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Open World Music Accordion Solo Accordion World Cup 1. Ryan Corbett, Milngavie 2. Emma Dickson, Dolphinton 3. Zacharia Ronan, Glasgow Under 16 World Music Accordion Solo Accordion World Cup 1. Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul, Kyle of Lochalsh 2. Ewan Dowie, Kettlebridge 3. India Smith, Penicuik UNDER 12 WORLD MUSIC ACCORDION SOLO 1. Fin Hope, Biggar 2. Inver Shand, Dunfermline Open Continental Solo 1. Emma Dickson, Dolphinton 2. John Burns, Kilsyth 3. Fraser Hewitt, Biggar Under 16 Continental Solo 1. Kyle Rowan, Edinburgh 2. Ewan Dowie, Kettlebridge Under 12 Continental Accordion Solo 1. Clelland Shand, Dunfermline

Craig Paton, winner of the All Scotland Senior Trad. Accordion Solo and Emma Dickson, All Scotland Senior Ladies Trad. Accordion Solo champion surrounded by happy trophy recipients.

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Written by: Robert Wares

E M I T W O H S Photo: © Deirdre Mackinnon

T

he annual Highland Showtime under the auspices of the Highland Accordion and Fiddle Club took place in the splendid Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. A near sellout crowd witnessed a spectacular Scottish Variety Show featuring music, song and dance.

The 32 strong Buttons and Bows from Rogart were already on the stage when the curtain rose to a very generous round of applause. Their ages ranged from the very young, with three players only 9 years of age, to the wee bit older at 83 years. With accordions, fiddles, keyboard, guitar and drums, the Buttons and Bows set the tone for the evening with a selection of sing-along medleys designed to have the audience participating from the first note. Wendy Mackay sang

a beautiful song with the backing of the band, dressed in their trademark red shirts. A fabulous start to a fabulous evening.

Charlie Kirkpatrick of buttonbox fame and dressed in full Highland dress was Master of Ceremonies and skilfully pulled the show together with some stories and tales, which had the crowd amused and in anticipation of more.

Charlie then introduced The Roya MacLean Trio. Well-known Roya on piano accordion has been associated with the Highland Club from a very young age. She had assembled a super trio with Sandra Mcbeth on guitar and the inimitable George Bremner on drums. The trio played some wonderful stuff and really impressed the home crowd.

Then it was time for the

“

A near sell-out crowd witnessed a spectacular Scottish Variety Show

”

B&F • JANUARY 2016

athleticism and colour of the Elizabeth Fraser Dancers. The troupe has been a mainstay of Highland Showtime for many years and is always a favourite.

Eight dancers accompanied by some first-rate bagpipe playing from their regular backer Yvonne Mackenzie filled the stage with glamour, not to mention some fascinating footwork. Well done girls.

Bringing the first half to a close was The Full Scottish Dance Band. Under the command of the renowned dance band leader Nicky McMichan, the band filled the remaining time with some classic traditional Scottish music, all done at a superb tempo. Nicky had John Burns on second box and the Shetland girl, Maggie Adamson, on fiddle.

Dennis Morrison on keyboard

and Andrew Barrie on drums completed the line-up, with their bass player unable to travel for personal reasons. Great sound from the band ending the first half and letting the audience away to stretch their legs.

More of the same was to follow in the second half and the Strathfleet Buttons and Bows kept the relaxed, happy atmosphere going. Some Gaelic songs from Wendy Mackay ensured the audience were in good shape for the second half.

The Elizabeth Fraser Dancers returned with some very clever dancing, again backed by Yvonne Mackenzie on the pipes. They showed just why their trophy cabinets require strengthening on a regular basis.

The Roya MacLean Trio made a second appearance and more

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classic music and songs from Sandra Mcbeth were very well received by an audience who were now in full voice, with Sandra giving a special rendering of the classic song Caledonia.

The Full Scottish Dance Band had the honour of bringing the show to an end and they let nobody down with an array of medleys straight out of the top drawer.

A huge thank you has to go to all the participants in the show and especially to Charlie Kirkpatrick who displayed a real knack with the microphone. Many, many thanks are also due to the staff at Eden Court Theatre, who offered first class advice and cooperation with sound, lighting and stage management. Another night of top entertainment from the Highland Accordion and Fiddle Club. l

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Club News Just remember to seek permission to publish the photos and tell us the name of the photographers.

To ensure a more readable section, please only send in max 250-300 words.

A photo tells a better story, so add one or two of those too. Why not of your audience? If you don’t have a report to write, then mention someone from your club or a special event and send in a relevant photo. Information in Club News helps attract visitors to your club, so make sure your club sounds like the place we want to go to.

ANNAN ST ANDREW The guest band was the very popular John Douglas Scottish Dance Band, comprising John Douglas on piano accordion, Willie McRobert also on piano accordion and Ian McRobert on drums with the two accordion players playing both lead and harmony. After playing for a number of dances, the local players, accompanied by Ian Wilson on keyboard and Billy Porter and Ian Riddet on drums, continued.

First was Richard Brown from Aspatria who played for a Saunter Together on piano accordion; Norman Swainson from Wigton then played a number of well-known tunes on piano accordion. Lawrence Wannop from Great Orton, a superb musician and formerly leader of the popular Hunter’s Dance Band, played piano accordion; Kenny Jackson from Stonehouse played piano accordion; Barbara Fisher from Carrutherstown, accompanied by John Douglas on second accordion, played piano accordion. Jim Fraser from Dumfries played piano accordion; Willie Little from Dumfries played several well-

Gary Sutherland, Arbroath

liked tunes on whistle; Newby Park from Carlisle played a number of popular tunes on piano accordion; John Waugh from Carlisle played piano accordion; David Bell from Carlisle, who is leader of the popular Lyne Valley Band, played piano accordion. The final local player was Robin Waitt from Claygate, near Canonbie, who played a Shand Morino three-row button-key accordion.

The guests then returned and played for further dances. At the end of the night, MC Jack Murdoch thanked the band and local players.

ARBROATH Club Vice Chairman Avril Abbot was the MC at our December meeting. With sadness she intimated the sudden death of member Ron Milne who was a strong supporter of the club’s activities and who will be sadly missed. She then proceeded to introduce the local players.

On accordion we had Margaret Patullo, John Hart, Alan Petrie, Cora Wilson, Eric Davidson, Arthur Wood and Tony Simpson. Dave Smith was on fiddle with piano accompaniment being shared

by John White and Tony

B&F • CLUB DIARY

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Club Diary

Please contact editor@boxandfiddle.com for any corrections to the diary.

Please note that the column for Guest Artistes have moved to between Club and Venue

January 2016 DATE

CLUB

GUEST ARTISTE

VENUE

TIME

CONTACT

4

Thurso

Addie Harper SDB

Pentland Hotel, Thurso KW14 7AA

7.30 pm

Ian Wright 01847 892 050

5

Campsie

The Homelanders

Glazert Country House Hotel, Lennoxtown G66 7DJ

7.30 pm

Billy Hutton 0141 776 2344

5

Fort William

Liam Stewart

Railway Club, Inverlochy, Fort William PH33 6LY

8.00 pm

Alisdair MacDonald 01397 701 505

5

Islesteps

Charlie Todd Qrt

Locharbriggs Social Club, Locharbriggs DG1 1XS

7.30 pm

Ian Gray 01387 760 276

6

Dingwall

Raymond Chuchuk Band

National Hotel, Dingwall IV15 9HA

7.30 pm

Elspeth Weir 01349 877 675

6

Glenfarg

Christmas party / Club Night

Glenfarg Village Hall, Glenfarg PH2 9NZ

7.00 pm

Russell Robertson 01577 830 642

6

Montrose

Johnny Duncan Duo

Park Hotel, Montrose DD10 8RJ

7.30 pm

Ron Ramsay 01241 879 487

6

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

7

Isle of Skye

Andy Phillip

The Royal Hotel, Portree IV51 9BU

7.30 pm

info@skyemusic.co.uk.

8

Oban

Iain Anderson (Dance)

The Royal Hotel, Oban PA34 4BE

7.30 pm

Anne McFadyen 01631 562 077

9

Uist and Benbecula

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Church of Scotland Hall, Benbecula HS7 5QA

8.00 pm

Angus MacDonald 01870 602 432

10

Arbroath

Lisa Laird SDB

Arbroath Artisan Golf Club, Elliot, By Arbroath DD11 2PE (Doors open at 7.30pm)

8.00 pm

Tony Simpson 01241 875 326

10

Biggar

Janet Graham SDB

Biggar Bowling Club, Biggar ML12 6AX

2 pm 5.30 pm

Charlie Todd 01899 308 327

10

Gretna

Gary Blair

The Gables Hotel Gretna, Gretna Green DG16 5DQ

7.15 pm

David Bell 01228 523 957

12

Blairgowrie

Luke Brady Trio

Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus PH13 9AL

7.45 pm

Helen Aitchison 01821 670 302

12

Dunfermline

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Sportsman Bar, Rosyth KY11 2NX

7.30 pm

Mr Bob Adam 01383 306 142

12

Renfrew

David Oswald Trio

Moorpark Masonic Halls, Renfrew PA4 0SA

7.30 pm

Ian Murchison 0141 889 4711

12

Seghill

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.30 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

13

Alnwick

Bryan Gear & Martin Henderson (Burns Supper)

Shilbottle Community Hall NE66 2XH

7.30 pm

Leonard Brown 07758 723 355

13

Forres

The Jock Fraser SDB

Victoria Hotel, Forres IV36 1EL

7.30 pm

Mrs Ann Sharp 01309 672 672

13

Inveraray

Robert Nairn Trio

Argyll Hotel, Inveraray PA32 8XB

8.00 pm

Margaret Mather 01499 302 458

13

Langholm

Club Night & Ceilidh (Visitors Welcome)

British Legion, Langholm DG13 0DN

7.30 pm

Adam Grant 01387 371 423 / 01387 381 305

13

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

☛

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B&F • TAKE THE FLOOR

Take The Floor FERGIE MACDONALD AND HIS BAND

F

ergie is back! This Take the Floor broadcast is the first in five years after his heart surgery, although he has been busy playing the accordion for the remake of Whisky Galore with Paul Anderson as the fiddler. The band line-up for this broadcast of traditional Ceilidh music, with probably a dozen of his own tunes in the mix, is as follows: Fergie MacDonald (2-row button-box), Addie Harper (accordion, banjo, guitar to mention just a few instruments), Alan Henderson (fiddle), Sandy Meldrum (keyboard), John MacDonald (button-box) and Hugh MacCallum (drums).

Fergie formed his first band in 1953, did his first broadcast in July 1965 and isstill going strong. His first audition for the BBC was 2 years later in which he performed a programme of West Highland Ceilidh Music, which caused a little consternation on what was essentially a Scottish Country Dance Music programme. It took until 1992 before he was asked back to play Ceilidh music, he tells me. In 1966, however, he topped the charts with Loch Maree Islands and 47 years later he was placed as number one in the World iTune Download Charts with The Shinty Referee just in front of Rihanna. As he says himself: “Not bad for a Ceilidh band singer”.

Fergie tells me that he first met Robbie Shepherd more than 50 years ago when he was playing in Kintore Village Hall and Robbie was the Compere.

He is looking forward to new challenges in 2016, so watch this space. l

02/01/16 - BBC at the Quay Repeat: Tom Orr SDB,

Claire Hastings, Lorne MacDougall 09/01/16 - Neil Barron Scottish Dance Band

Tribute to Norrie Williams 16/01/16 - Fergie MacDonald Ceilidh Band 23/01/16 - Compilation Programme 30/01/16 - Bruce Lindsay Quartet

B&F • JANUARY 2016

51

Reviews

If you wish your CDs, DVDs or books to be reviewed, please send them to: Bill Brown, 3 Galahad Close, Cippenham, Slough, SL1 9DT

North of The Grampians Volume One John Stuart SDB Independent JSSDB01CD

North of The Grampians Volume One is the fourth CD release from John Stuart and his Scottish dance band from Hatton in Aberdeenshire. The band line-up features John on lead accordion, Alisdair MacLeod on second box, William James on fiddle, Brian Watts on drums and Aileen M. Jamieson on piano. It is clear from the outset on this recording that this is a group of musicians in tune with each other, if you’ll excuse the pun. The tempos of all the sets are strict, disciplined and well maintained throughout.

The CD begins with a bright Britannia Two Step featuring two Graeme Mitchell tunes, Oonies March and Gordon Davidson of Banchory. The next track that really grabbed me was the band’s treatment of Ian Powrie’s Jimmy and Mickie’s waltz, which they made a very nice job of. So often nowadays bands tend to play even waltzes too fast, but John and the band don’t fall into that trap, but maintain his excellent sound and timing from beginning to end. Later on in the CD the band also make a nice job of another waltz set, this time to two Ian Thow tunes, Doddie Murray’s and Aileen M. Jamieson (a tune which I presume is named after the band’s piano player). I particularly enjoyed the bands 4/4 marches set to the tunes P.M. Wm Ross’s Farewell to the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, Dr. Morrison’s Seven Thistles, Lord Huntley’s

Cave and the Cameron Highlanders.

The CD features over 50 tunes, all well played, and as I mentioned earlier, the bands musicality, timing and musicianship is excellent and not to be faulted in any way. This is Scottish dance music well played to a high standard. That said, from a listeners perspective, I felt myself starting to disengage a little. It pains me to say this and my view should not be taken in any way to be disrespectful or derisory, because this is really a great band. To me though, this is no longer good enough now if we want to continue to evolve and move Scottish dance music forward so it continues to appeal to both present and future generations. As way of another example to illustrate my point, I’m sure we are all familiar with the classical crossover market? You can be the world’s best tenor, but there are only so many versions of Nessun Dorma you can listen to despite how well it is sung. The key is to continue to bring something musically new, original and different to the party and I’m afraid so many Scottish dance bands at the moment seem to be happy recording the same tried and tested tunes in the same old way that does not continue to move our genre forward. This CD from John and his band is by no means a bad recording, in fact it’s very good, but sadly, it didn’t quite tick all my boxes on this occasion.

Isle of Skye Accordion & Fiddle

Festival

26th-28th May 2016 Bands performing are: The Burns Brothers, Lindsay Weir, Drams Allowed and local and visiting musicians.

All events will be ticket only.

Tickets are available from Linda 01478 611122 or Fiona 01478 612305 (After 6pm) or email us at info@skyemusic.co.uk

www.skyemusic.co.uk

BAND SUPPLIES LTD BAND SUPPLIES LTD

Suppliers of Fiddles & Violins

Suppliers of Fiddles & Violins 13-15 Old Dumbarton Road Glasgow G3 8QY 0141-339 9400 E-mail: glasgow@bandsupplies.co.uk www.bandsupplies.co.uk

13-15 Old Dumbarton Road Glasgow G3 8QY 0141-339 9400 E-mail: glasgow@bandsupplies.co.uk www.bandsupplies.co.uk

☛

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

In Memory Mark Simon MacDougall (23.10.1970 - 02.12.2015)

I

can vividly remember the first time I met Mark MacDougall. At Oban festival, May 1988 this skinny wee lad was wooing not only the judges with his MSR, but also a couple of lovely female accordionist twins from Perth. I was envious of him that day and will be for the rest of my life.

I admired Mark for many things; his easy to talk to, laid back personality, his cheery demeanour and his indubitable (Mark’s favourite word) musical abilities.

Nothing fazed Mark, he would just smile, light up a roll-up and let out that characteristic chuckle of his. As a band colleague, we shared many a session and laugh together. Memories of trips to Arran, Shetland, Bunessan, house parties at 5 Burns Avenue and festivals everywhere live large in my thoughts.

Musically he was a top class fiddler, pianist and now recognised as one of the country’s finest bassists, most of all to me, he was a bloody good mate. Gigs wearing white trainers, roll-up cigarette production on an industrial scale, comedy t-shirts, tunes that sound nothing like Caber Feidh and MacDoog the Cullivoe Pied Piper all spring to mind. Most of these stories in their full glory would not be suitable for publication.

Mark will leave a huge void in the lives of all his family, friends and colleagues, none more so than his partner Carol and family, father Hamish and brothers Andrew and David. l Iain Cathcart

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