Box and Fiddle
Year 36 No 07
March 2013
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £29.70 + p&p £13.20 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
We have a lot of Club Reports this month and therefore fewer articles. However what we may lack in quantity, hopefully is made up for in quality. We lead with the second fabulous Box and Fiddle Night at Celtic Connections, and also carry reports on the 18th Shand Morino Gathering and this year’s Up Helly Aa.
Gary Coull pays tribute to Betty Rutherford and next month we will print obituaries for Jack Gray and Alastair MacBeth, who both passed away recently.
See you all at Inshyra Grange!
Karin Ingram
Celtic Connections
Monday 28th January 2013
by Charlie Todd
A change of venue this year saw the second annual Celtic Connections Box and Fiddle Night held in the Mitchell Library Theatre at Charing Cross, Glasgow. Celtic Connections staff were obviously unused to the timeous ways of our ‘we’ll-go-60-minutes-early-to-make-sure-we-get-a-good-seat’ supporters who had formed a queue well in advance of the doors opening. Once again it was good to see so many Club supporters in the audience – or to put it another way the average age of the audience was nearer 75 than 25 – which is probably quite unusual for a Connections event?
Anyway, if age and experience was the name of the game in the audience, it was youth and experience which appeared on stage. As before a ‘pool’ of musicians provided the players for the 10 or so bands who featured during the evening. These musicians, in no particular order, were :-
Accordionists - Alasdair MacCuish, Craig Paton, Gordon Pattullo, Duncan Black, John Carmichael, Tom Orr, Scott Gordon, Gordon Shand and Keith Dickson.
Fiddlers - Marie Fielding, Archie McAllister, Gemma Donald, Robert Menzies and Maggie Adamson.
Pianists - Tom Orr, Owen Fielding, Graham Berry, Alan Kitchen and Neil McMillan.
Drummers - Gordon Smith, Fraser McInnes and Scott Gordon.
Bass - Ally MacLeod and Neil McMillan.
Vocalist – Emily Smith.
The key role of MC once again fell to that old favourite, John Carmichael, who effortlessly linked the various changovers as only he can, with a mixture of jokes and anecdotes from the old days (for example, Mickie and Jimmy were asked by a well-to-do lady for whom they had just performed if they were full time musicians. “No, I’m a tractor driver” replied Jimmy. “And I’m a painter” replied Mickie. “Oh oils or water” she enquired? “Hooses” responded Mickie.) Anyway you get the idea – good stuff.
Things kicked off with the plaintive sound of a single accordion in the distance, coming ever closer. There it was outside the audience seating area, then inside at the back, then down the steps to the front of the stage. None other than Ikey himself playing The MacKenzie Highlanders. And probably, we suspect, taking the shortest way back from the bar to the stage! Alasdair MacCuish and the ‘House Band’ (Scott Gordon, Archie McAllister, Tom Orr, Alasdair MacLeod and Gordon Smith) picked up the McKenzie Highlanders and continued straight into Sean Truibhs. Restrained tempos, great sound. String bass in a band is a rare treat these days.
Next it was the turn of young Craig Paton to lead a band. His three sets ended with a set of finger bustin’ reels but it was his ‘Tribute to Mickey and Jimmy’ in the form of that marvelous duet ‘Bandboys’ (Duncan Black taking Mickey’s part) that I most enjoyed. It was always a sparkling piece and this band played it beautifully.
Gordon Pattullo and Gemma Donald then took the stage, with Alan Kitchen on piano, to play a selection of their favourite North American music, including a slow piece entitled ‘Lonesome Eyes’ as a tribute to it’s composer, Jerry Holland, who died in 2009. John Carmichael had explained that Gemma was a great lover of ‘blue grass’ but elaborated for the benefit of any ‘Glesga jakies’ present in the audience that this was entirely different from the ‘grass’ they were perhaps more familiar with. As you would expect all three sets were beautifully executed.
Vocals now from a young lady with an international career and who hails from Gatelawbridge in Dumfries-shire and now stays in Durisdeer. For those of you who don’t know, Emily Smith was originally an accordion pupil of Keith Dickson and when the vocalist’s spot with his orchestra, KODA, became available Keith was aware she had sung locally in Dumfries a few times and offered her the opportunity. These regular practices and appearances eventually helped Emily gain entrance to the R.S.A.M.D. and now she travels the world as a folk singer. For us she sang two of her own songs ‘A Day Like Today’ and ‘Love You Still’ backed by Marie, Gordon Smith and on piano Tom Orr (whom she remembers joining KODA as a wee, rosy cheeked boy – ahhh).
To bring the first half to a close, who better than Shand, Gordon Shand that is. The second of his three sets was a tribute to Calum MacLean for which he used the two 4/4 marches Walter Douglas MBE and Aros Park. John Carmichael described Gordon as playing ‘that typewriter thing’ more technically known as a Hohner Gola 5-row Continental Chromatic. Anyway regardless of how it’s described, Gordon used it to excellent effect particularly in these stirring marches.
Half time, and the artistes featuring in the concert were in the foyer plying their wares – or at the very least selling CDs – while the rest of us formed a queue behind John Carmichael at the bar. How he thanked Gordon on stage yet still beat us all there is still a complete mystery.
SECOND HALF
The second half started with Gordon Pattullo and Alan Kitchen on stage with two tributes. The first was to Will Starr, with what else but the Continental style waltz ‘Jacqueline’ followed by another of Will’s compositions ‘The Bluebird Polka’. Cracking stuff. Then another tribute, this time to Stan Hamilton and again it was a no-brainer as they say these days – ‘The Flying Scotsman’ as only Gordon can play it.
Now it was the fiddle to the fore with the diminutive Maggie Adamson, taking the stage accompanied by Owen Fielding at the piano. Maggie started with a march, strathspey and reel, Edgefauld House, Craigellachie Brig and the Reel of Corse (of course, as Bill Black used to say) and it was immediately apparent to everyone why Maggie is the current holder of the Glenfiddich Championship, her second in a row. It’s a big sound, a Powrie sound, this wee lassie gets from this most expressive of instruments. After an equally impressive rendition of two hornpipes, Banks and the High Level, Maggie was joined by fellow Shetlander, Gemma, for a tribute to Willie Hunter. Personally, if I had to select a highlight from the entire show, it would be Maggie’s performance and as she introduced her sets I was reminded that for me one of the beauties of Scottish dance music are the multitude of dialects of the players and none are more distinctive than our friends from the Shetlands.
Next a young man with a great future behind him (as Jimmy Yeaman used to say), formerly a near neighbour of mine but now Aberdeen based, Tom Orr. Like all of our fine young players Tom is always on the lookout for that elusive ‘sound’ and recently off-loaded his Golina (like the Gola, probably the finest accordion ever made) onto a grateful Iain Cathcart, in favour of a pocket-sized, wooden-cased, computer-designed, custom-built, hand-crafted, piano-keyed, non-diatonic, 78-bass, melodeon-throwback affair with full Larry Adler tuning. Tom played one of his old favourites, and mine, Iain MacPhail’s Grace Renwick Polka.
Back now to a modified House Band with Tom Orr on second box and Neil McMillan on piano for a tribute to Iain MacLaughlin with The Dark Island, the Argyllshire Gathering and Maggie’s Reel and then a further tribute to The Wallochmor with Dr Ross’s 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering and Dr. J. G. Hunter of Aultbea. The sound at the start of the latter selection was indeed very authentic and brought back memories of that unique band, the Wallochs.
Now, at the risk of sounding repetitive, Tribute, but this time the trio of that name comprising that highly talented threesome Marie Fielding, brother Owen and Duncan Black. They played a set of reels followed by a tribute to Capercaillie before being joined by Emily Smith for an evocative rendering of Robert Burns ‘Silver Tassie.’
There was one final tribute before the finale, this time to the Prince of Percussion, the great Billy Thom. John reminded us that for ‘Big Wull’ new drummers fell into one of two distinct categories. Either “that boyze gote a great pair o’ hauns” denoting the seal of approval, or alternatively “that boay should lay they alaine”. A slightly non-standard line-up for this band with Duncan Black, Ikey Carmichael and Gordon Pattullo on accordions, Marie on fiddle, Owen on piano, Neil McMillan on bass and Gordon Smith, Scott Gordon and Fraser McInnes all on drums. They played some of Wull’s favourite tunes to accommodate some of his famous ‘drum licks’ starting with the 6/8 march Drumloist, then Farewell to the Creeks played as a waltz, The Skye Gathering (2/4 march), Drowsy Maggie (reel) and finishing appropriately enough with Billy Thom’s Reel by his great friend Jim Johnstone. The unusual three drummer line-up sometimes played solo and sometimes in unison. Well choreographed and a fitting tribute to one of the all-time-greats of Scottish Dance Band drumming.
The evening ended with a ‘stramash’ with all the participating musicians on stage to round off what had, once again, been a feast of good music. The audience of 560 contained many, many well-known musicians on a buss-mans holiday which is a recommendation in itself. Once again thanks to Alasdair MacCuish for masterminding and organising the show and to John Carmichael for his first-class links. Not forgetting my colleague, musicians and keen amateur photographer Frank Morrison. I just sit and listen – he has to get up and do all the leg-work. Many thanks Franco.
This particular concert wasn’t recorded for television but Alasdair tells me that he is planning another television show later in the year, so we look forward to that. And all being well we look forward to another helping of dance music at its best at next year’s Celtic Connections Box and Fiddle Night.
Betty Rutherford
by Gary Coull
Boxing Day 2012 saw the world of music and dance lose a great champion and advocate.
Betty Rutherford, from Keith in Banffshire, was a huge influence and encouragement to many people in the Scottish Country Dance and Traditional Music world for more than 30 years.
Her first association with music came when she attended piano classes. She also attended Highland Dance lessons for a short while. She married musician Walter Rutherford in 1959. The couple always encouraged their children to dance and play and indeed Mo and Annie have become well-known in the scene too.
Betty took over the Keith Scottish Country Dance class following the retirement of Rina Morrison and soon after passing her RSCDS teaching certificate exams. She not only taught adults but visited the local schools to teach there. Walter played for the classes and it was very much the double act where you got good entertainment from the pair as well as good teaching. Betty always gave class members good tips on how to do formations a bit more easilybut would always tell the class the proper way to do it so she couldn’t be accused of not teaching properly! She also had tips for beginners when harder dances would come on the programme – “this is a toilet dance” she would say meaning it was one to sit out. Never did Betty’s encouragement wane though and that was evident by the numbers attending her classes. Betty and Walter retired from the class in recent years.
The Banffshire Branch of the RSCDS recognised the contribution the couple have made to dancing by presenting them with a Branch Award on 11th November 2005. Betty was also part of the group that went to dance for the Queen at Balmoral Castle in 2009.
Betty was a great supporter of accordion and fiddle music. She was Secretary of the North East Accordion and Fiddle Club for many years and attended many festivals including Perth, Musselburgh and Shetland.
Betty was a huge encouragement to me in my dancing and I am very grateful to her for that. I know that Betty’s family will miss her very much, however she will also be greatly missed by all that knew her.
Up Helly Aa 2013
by Una Simpson
Having been born just before……
18th Shand Morino Gathering
Sunday 20th January 2013
by Charlie Todd
For the first time ever there wasn’t a full house for the Shand Morino Day. The weather could have been a factor since some enthusiasts come a fair distance but it wasn’t so long ago that the organisers were forced to turn people away at the door. So if you have a notion to attend this wonderful, nostalgic afternoon, don’t be put off by the fear of not getting in and make sure you come along next year. As supporters arrive players and listeners alike are treated to a bowl of soup to warm them up which helps to set the friendly tone of this annual gathering.
There were still more than sufficient numbers to give loads of atmosphere and it fell to John McDonald to welcome everyone before he took on his main role of organising the next player on stage. Bruce Lindsay Snr gave a brief run-down on many of the 20 odd Shand Morinos on display. To the ‘naked observer’ they may all look like red or black button accordions but as Bruce highlighted hardly any two present were actually identical – and a few were literally one-offs – totally unique.
He then introduced Ian Cruickshanks from Kirriemuir, a fine exponent of this noble instrument, to set the ball rolling and Ian entertained us in fine style to two sets. He also followed the time honoured tradition for this afternoon by giving us a brief history of the box of which he is now custodian. Ian was followed by Roy Magna (Markinch), Jim MacKay (Inverness), Alex Houston (Windygates), Arthur Woods (Montrose), Davy Ross (Kilmarnock), Robin and Deryn Waitt (Canonbie), Bill McHardy and Lou Stott, Archie Paterson (Thornhill, Stirlingshire), Norman MacKay (Nairn), Donal Ring, Michael Horgan and Jerry Coakley (the latter two on magnificent red 5 rows) from the Cork area in the Irish Republic and to conclude the first half Ian Stewart (from Markinch, a ‘graduate’ of Buttons and Bows). Amongst the histories given, Robin Waitt told us that he was playing the late Toby Stewart of Ecclefechan’s black Shand Morino.
Tea time – steak bridies (once again generously donated by Dave Pullar), scones, assorted fancies, biscuits and tea all washed down by conversations with friends old and new and the exchange of information that is such an important ingredient in these annual get-togethers. A big thank you to all the ‘scullery maids’ from all us hungry visitors.
Back to business and who better than Billy and Sandy Anderson to set the tone for the second half. Billy, piano accordionist from St Andrews, is well known to all of us but for me at any rate it was my first opportunity to hear his talented brother Sandy on the 3 row. Billy inevitably steals the show though with his jokes done in the authentic dialects – hilarious. We then had Bruce Lindsay Jnr, this year accompanied by a ‘big band’, then Billy Thomson (Tarland), Scott Band (Newtyle), Gladys Wright, John Weaks (Glasgow), Catherine Speight (from Anstruther who delighted the audience with selections on fiddle), Dave Ritchie (Falkland – piano box), Dave Husband (playing a cracking red Hohner Morino IVM piano box) and finishing with moothie player John McDonald playing the tune written for him by the Maestro himself ‘John McDonald’s March’. It seems to be the year of the black Shand Morino since Gladys Wright was also playing ‘a cracker’ she had recently bought from Dave Pullar.
Many thanks to all of the above for their fine efforts and also to the backing musicians. Residents were Jim Scott (piano) and John Sinton (bass) who backed everyone with frequent appearances from second accordionists Jack Delaney, Ian McCallum, Stuart Venters and Bruce Lindsay Snr, fiddlers Lou Stott and Graeme Burns and drummers Dave Taylor, Tom Hope, Bobby Dowds and Charlie Todd.
There were small accordion displays in the anti-room by Robert Rolston and Alan Shute and Alan kindly donated 3 dust covers which were raffled amongst the Shand Morino owners. Having worked his way through the 15 players names on John McDonald’s list Bruce said there were 20 odd Shand Morinos on display and asked the other owners to identify themselves. When they didn’t Bruce responded in his usual pawky style by saying “that’s grand, I’ll just take the rest hame masel.”
The afternoon rounded off toward 5.30pm with a stramash consisting of all the players present. As usual there were some faces missing from last year’s event but there were also some new faces to keep things fresh. Congratulations once again to the Windygates Committee, and in particular to Bruce Lindsay Snr and John McDonald, for staging such a successful afternoon and for helping to preserve this wonderful instrument which is so central to our traditional music. Thanks also to the photographers who recorded the afternoon, namely Frank Morrison and Stuart Venters – their work says more about the event than I ever could.
Hopefully see you all again next year and remember don’t be put off if you’ve never been before
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Fine Tuning – Ewan Galloway SDB – EGCD001 Independent
As Highland as it Gets – Fergie MacDonald – CD112 Independent
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
2nd March 13 – Alexander Lindsay SDB + Keith Dickson 25 Years of KODA
9th March 13 – Robert Black SDB + NAAFC Concert at Inshyra Grange
16th March 13 – Ronnie Easton SDB (Archive) + NAAFC Band Competition at Inshyra Grange
23rd March 13 – Andrew Gibb SDB (Debut) + Max Houliston
30th March 13 – Hector McFadyen SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th March 13 – Craig Paton Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th March 13 – Roger Dobson SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 3rd March 13 – AGM + Ewan Galloway Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 17th March 13 – Andrew Gibb SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th March 13 – Fit & Able
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 18th March 13 – Willie Scott Duo
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 10th March 13 – Shirley Cathcart SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 12th March 13 – Dochie McCallum & Friends
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 14th March 13 – Billy Anderson & Kilrymont Band
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th March 13 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 19th March 13 – The Occasionals
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st March 13 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Coldingham (Crosslaw Caravan Park) - 4th March 13 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 7th March 13 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 19th March 13 – Ray Carse
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th March 13 – Andrew Gibb Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th March 13 – Jim Cleland SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 12th March 13 – Ewan Galloway SDB 22nd March 13 – Dance to Willie McFarlane Band
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 18th March 13 – Clappy Doo C.B.
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th March 13 – The Garioch Blend
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 25th March 13 – John Morgan
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 31st March 13 – Ladybank A&F Club
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th March 13 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - March 13 -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 7th March 13 – Club Night
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 21st March 13 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 6th March 13 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - March 13 -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 3rd March 13 – Steven Carcary Trio
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 17th March 13 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th March 13 – Lindsay Weir SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 13th March 13 – Ian Muir Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th March 13 – Marian Anderson SDB
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 5th March 13 – Jim Lindsay Trio
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – March 13 -
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) – March 13 -
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 21st March 13 – Craig Paton & Andy Kain
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 25th March 13 – Gordon Pattullo & Gemma Donald
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 10th March 13 – Open Day 13th March 13 – David Vernon
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) - March 13 -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 7th March 13 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm ross
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th March 13 – John Morgan
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 26th March 13 – Jimmy Lindsay Trio
Maine Valley (Ballymena) - March 13 -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 19th March 13 – Derek Hamilton
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 10th March 13 – 30th Anniversary Steven Carcary SDB
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - March 13 -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club) 20th March 13 – Neil Hardie SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th March 13 – Paul Capaldi & Keith Dickson
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th March 13 – Gordon Pattullo & Gemma Donald
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 6th March 13 – John Trotter Low Country Boys
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 7th March 13 – Roy Hendrie
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – March 13 -
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 28th March 13 - KODA
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th March 13 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - March 13 -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) - March 13 -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 12th March 13 – Deoch ‘n’Dorus
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th March 13 – Clappy Doo C.B.
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - March 13 -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 19th March 13 – Andy Kain
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - March 13 -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 7th March 13 – Local night 21st March 13 – Burns Brothers C.B. 22nd March 13 – End of Season Dance to Burns Brothers C.B.
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 6th March 13 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - March 13 -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 12th March 13 – Deirdre Adamson
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th March 13 – Robert Nairn SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th March 13 – Wemysshill Duo
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st March 13 – Dick Black Band
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 2nd 16th & 30th March 13 – Saturday Ceilidh Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 14th March 13 – Alan Small
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 19th March 13 – Stewart Walker SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Balloch
5. Beith
6. Biggar
7. Button-Key
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dunfermline
14. Fintry
15. Forfar
16. Forres
17. Gretna
18. Haddington
19. Highland
20. Inveraray
21. Isle of Skye
22. Kelso
23. Ladybank
24. Lanark
25. Langholm
26. Lewis & Harris
27. Livingston
28. Lockerbie
29. Mauchline
30. Montrose
31. Newtongrange
32. Northern
33. Oban
34. Peebles
35. Perth
36. Renfrew
37. Rothbury
38. Seghill
39. Shetland
40. Stonehouse
41. Thornhill
42. Thurso
43. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2012
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54 Maine Valley A&F Club (
55 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
56 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
57 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
58 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
61. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
62. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
63. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
64. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
65. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
66. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
67. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
68. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
69. Selkirk A&F Club (
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
72 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
73 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
76 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
77 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
78 West Barnes ( - present)
79 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
80. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
81. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
82. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
83. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
84. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
85. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
86. Buchan A&F Club
87 Callander A&F Club (
88 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
89 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
90 Club Accord
91 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
92. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
93. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
94. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
95. Derwentside A&F Club
96. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
97. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
98. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
99. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
100. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
101. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
102. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
103. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
104. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
105. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
106. Kintore A&F Club (
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
We have a lot of Club Reports this month and therefore fewer articles. However what we may lack in quantity, hopefully is made up for in quality. We lead with the second fabulous Box and Fiddle Night at Celtic Connections, and also carry reports on the 18th Shand Morino Gathering and this year’s Up Helly Aa.
Gary Coull pays tribute to Betty Rutherford and next month we will print obituaries for Jack Gray and Alastair MacBeth, who both passed away recently.
See you all at Inshyra Grange!
Karin Ingram
Celtic Connections
Monday 28th January 2013
by Charlie Todd
A change of venue this year saw the second annual Celtic Connections Box and Fiddle Night held in the Mitchell Library Theatre at Charing Cross, Glasgow. Celtic Connections staff were obviously unused to the timeous ways of our ‘we’ll-go-60-minutes-early-to-make-sure-we-get-a-good-seat’ supporters who had formed a queue well in advance of the doors opening. Once again it was good to see so many Club supporters in the audience – or to put it another way the average age of the audience was nearer 75 than 25 – which is probably quite unusual for a Connections event?
Anyway, if age and experience was the name of the game in the audience, it was youth and experience which appeared on stage. As before a ‘pool’ of musicians provided the players for the 10 or so bands who featured during the evening. These musicians, in no particular order, were :-
Accordionists - Alasdair MacCuish, Craig Paton, Gordon Pattullo, Duncan Black, John Carmichael, Tom Orr, Scott Gordon, Gordon Shand and Keith Dickson.
Fiddlers - Marie Fielding, Archie McAllister, Gemma Donald, Robert Menzies and Maggie Adamson.
Pianists - Tom Orr, Owen Fielding, Graham Berry, Alan Kitchen and Neil McMillan.
Drummers - Gordon Smith, Fraser McInnes and Scott Gordon.
Bass - Ally MacLeod and Neil McMillan.
Vocalist – Emily Smith.
The key role of MC once again fell to that old favourite, John Carmichael, who effortlessly linked the various changovers as only he can, with a mixture of jokes and anecdotes from the old days (for example, Mickie and Jimmy were asked by a well-to-do lady for whom they had just performed if they were full time musicians. “No, I’m a tractor driver” replied Jimmy. “And I’m a painter” replied Mickie. “Oh oils or water” she enquired? “Hooses” responded Mickie.) Anyway you get the idea – good stuff.
Things kicked off with the plaintive sound of a single accordion in the distance, coming ever closer. There it was outside the audience seating area, then inside at the back, then down the steps to the front of the stage. None other than Ikey himself playing The MacKenzie Highlanders. And probably, we suspect, taking the shortest way back from the bar to the stage! Alasdair MacCuish and the ‘House Band’ (Scott Gordon, Archie McAllister, Tom Orr, Alasdair MacLeod and Gordon Smith) picked up the McKenzie Highlanders and continued straight into Sean Truibhs. Restrained tempos, great sound. String bass in a band is a rare treat these days.
Next it was the turn of young Craig Paton to lead a band. His three sets ended with a set of finger bustin’ reels but it was his ‘Tribute to Mickey and Jimmy’ in the form of that marvelous duet ‘Bandboys’ (Duncan Black taking Mickey’s part) that I most enjoyed. It was always a sparkling piece and this band played it beautifully.
Gordon Pattullo and Gemma Donald then took the stage, with Alan Kitchen on piano, to play a selection of their favourite North American music, including a slow piece entitled ‘Lonesome Eyes’ as a tribute to it’s composer, Jerry Holland, who died in 2009. John Carmichael had explained that Gemma was a great lover of ‘blue grass’ but elaborated for the benefit of any ‘Glesga jakies’ present in the audience that this was entirely different from the ‘grass’ they were perhaps more familiar with. As you would expect all three sets were beautifully executed.
Vocals now from a young lady with an international career and who hails from Gatelawbridge in Dumfries-shire and now stays in Durisdeer. For those of you who don’t know, Emily Smith was originally an accordion pupil of Keith Dickson and when the vocalist’s spot with his orchestra, KODA, became available Keith was aware she had sung locally in Dumfries a few times and offered her the opportunity. These regular practices and appearances eventually helped Emily gain entrance to the R.S.A.M.D. and now she travels the world as a folk singer. For us she sang two of her own songs ‘A Day Like Today’ and ‘Love You Still’ backed by Marie, Gordon Smith and on piano Tom Orr (whom she remembers joining KODA as a wee, rosy cheeked boy – ahhh).
To bring the first half to a close, who better than Shand, Gordon Shand that is. The second of his three sets was a tribute to Calum MacLean for which he used the two 4/4 marches Walter Douglas MBE and Aros Park. John Carmichael described Gordon as playing ‘that typewriter thing’ more technically known as a Hohner Gola 5-row Continental Chromatic. Anyway regardless of how it’s described, Gordon used it to excellent effect particularly in these stirring marches.
Half time, and the artistes featuring in the concert were in the foyer plying their wares – or at the very least selling CDs – while the rest of us formed a queue behind John Carmichael at the bar. How he thanked Gordon on stage yet still beat us all there is still a complete mystery.
SECOND HALF
The second half started with Gordon Pattullo and Alan Kitchen on stage with two tributes. The first was to Will Starr, with what else but the Continental style waltz ‘Jacqueline’ followed by another of Will’s compositions ‘The Bluebird Polka’. Cracking stuff. Then another tribute, this time to Stan Hamilton and again it was a no-brainer as they say these days – ‘The Flying Scotsman’ as only Gordon can play it.
Now it was the fiddle to the fore with the diminutive Maggie Adamson, taking the stage accompanied by Owen Fielding at the piano. Maggie started with a march, strathspey and reel, Edgefauld House, Craigellachie Brig and the Reel of Corse (of course, as Bill Black used to say) and it was immediately apparent to everyone why Maggie is the current holder of the Glenfiddich Championship, her second in a row. It’s a big sound, a Powrie sound, this wee lassie gets from this most expressive of instruments. After an equally impressive rendition of two hornpipes, Banks and the High Level, Maggie was joined by fellow Shetlander, Gemma, for a tribute to Willie Hunter. Personally, if I had to select a highlight from the entire show, it would be Maggie’s performance and as she introduced her sets I was reminded that for me one of the beauties of Scottish dance music are the multitude of dialects of the players and none are more distinctive than our friends from the Shetlands.
Next a young man with a great future behind him (as Jimmy Yeaman used to say), formerly a near neighbour of mine but now Aberdeen based, Tom Orr. Like all of our fine young players Tom is always on the lookout for that elusive ‘sound’ and recently off-loaded his Golina (like the Gola, probably the finest accordion ever made) onto a grateful Iain Cathcart, in favour of a pocket-sized, wooden-cased, computer-designed, custom-built, hand-crafted, piano-keyed, non-diatonic, 78-bass, melodeon-throwback affair with full Larry Adler tuning. Tom played one of his old favourites, and mine, Iain MacPhail’s Grace Renwick Polka.
Back now to a modified House Band with Tom Orr on second box and Neil McMillan on piano for a tribute to Iain MacLaughlin with The Dark Island, the Argyllshire Gathering and Maggie’s Reel and then a further tribute to The Wallochmor with Dr Ross’s 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering and Dr. J. G. Hunter of Aultbea. The sound at the start of the latter selection was indeed very authentic and brought back memories of that unique band, the Wallochs.
Now, at the risk of sounding repetitive, Tribute, but this time the trio of that name comprising that highly talented threesome Marie Fielding, brother Owen and Duncan Black. They played a set of reels followed by a tribute to Capercaillie before being joined by Emily Smith for an evocative rendering of Robert Burns ‘Silver Tassie.’
There was one final tribute before the finale, this time to the Prince of Percussion, the great Billy Thom. John reminded us that for ‘Big Wull’ new drummers fell into one of two distinct categories. Either “that boyze gote a great pair o’ hauns” denoting the seal of approval, or alternatively “that boay should lay they alaine”. A slightly non-standard line-up for this band with Duncan Black, Ikey Carmichael and Gordon Pattullo on accordions, Marie on fiddle, Owen on piano, Neil McMillan on bass and Gordon Smith, Scott Gordon and Fraser McInnes all on drums. They played some of Wull’s favourite tunes to accommodate some of his famous ‘drum licks’ starting with the 6/8 march Drumloist, then Farewell to the Creeks played as a waltz, The Skye Gathering (2/4 march), Drowsy Maggie (reel) and finishing appropriately enough with Billy Thom’s Reel by his great friend Jim Johnstone. The unusual three drummer line-up sometimes played solo and sometimes in unison. Well choreographed and a fitting tribute to one of the all-time-greats of Scottish Dance Band drumming.
The evening ended with a ‘stramash’ with all the participating musicians on stage to round off what had, once again, been a feast of good music. The audience of 560 contained many, many well-known musicians on a buss-mans holiday which is a recommendation in itself. Once again thanks to Alasdair MacCuish for masterminding and organising the show and to John Carmichael for his first-class links. Not forgetting my colleague, musicians and keen amateur photographer Frank Morrison. I just sit and listen – he has to get up and do all the leg-work. Many thanks Franco.
This particular concert wasn’t recorded for television but Alasdair tells me that he is planning another television show later in the year, so we look forward to that. And all being well we look forward to another helping of dance music at its best at next year’s Celtic Connections Box and Fiddle Night.
Betty Rutherford
by Gary Coull
Boxing Day 2012 saw the world of music and dance lose a great champion and advocate.
Betty Rutherford, from Keith in Banffshire, was a huge influence and encouragement to many people in the Scottish Country Dance and Traditional Music world for more than 30 years.
Her first association with music came when she attended piano classes. She also attended Highland Dance lessons for a short while. She married musician Walter Rutherford in 1959. The couple always encouraged their children to dance and play and indeed Mo and Annie have become well-known in the scene too.
Betty took over the Keith Scottish Country Dance class following the retirement of Rina Morrison and soon after passing her RSCDS teaching certificate exams. She not only taught adults but visited the local schools to teach there. Walter played for the classes and it was very much the double act where you got good entertainment from the pair as well as good teaching. Betty always gave class members good tips on how to do formations a bit more easilybut would always tell the class the proper way to do it so she couldn’t be accused of not teaching properly! She also had tips for beginners when harder dances would come on the programme – “this is a toilet dance” she would say meaning it was one to sit out. Never did Betty’s encouragement wane though and that was evident by the numbers attending her classes. Betty and Walter retired from the class in recent years.
The Banffshire Branch of the RSCDS recognised the contribution the couple have made to dancing by presenting them with a Branch Award on 11th November 2005. Betty was also part of the group that went to dance for the Queen at Balmoral Castle in 2009.
Betty was a great supporter of accordion and fiddle music. She was Secretary of the North East Accordion and Fiddle Club for many years and attended many festivals including Perth, Musselburgh and Shetland.
Betty was a huge encouragement to me in my dancing and I am very grateful to her for that. I know that Betty’s family will miss her very much, however she will also be greatly missed by all that knew her.
Up Helly Aa 2013
by Una Simpson
Having been born just before……
18th Shand Morino Gathering
Sunday 20th January 2013
by Charlie Todd
For the first time ever there wasn’t a full house for the Shand Morino Day. The weather could have been a factor since some enthusiasts come a fair distance but it wasn’t so long ago that the organisers were forced to turn people away at the door. So if you have a notion to attend this wonderful, nostalgic afternoon, don’t be put off by the fear of not getting in and make sure you come along next year. As supporters arrive players and listeners alike are treated to a bowl of soup to warm them up which helps to set the friendly tone of this annual gathering.
There were still more than sufficient numbers to give loads of atmosphere and it fell to John McDonald to welcome everyone before he took on his main role of organising the next player on stage. Bruce Lindsay Snr gave a brief run-down on many of the 20 odd Shand Morinos on display. To the ‘naked observer’ they may all look like red or black button accordions but as Bruce highlighted hardly any two present were actually identical – and a few were literally one-offs – totally unique.
He then introduced Ian Cruickshanks from Kirriemuir, a fine exponent of this noble instrument, to set the ball rolling and Ian entertained us in fine style to two sets. He also followed the time honoured tradition for this afternoon by giving us a brief history of the box of which he is now custodian. Ian was followed by Roy Magna (Markinch), Jim MacKay (Inverness), Alex Houston (Windygates), Arthur Woods (Montrose), Davy Ross (Kilmarnock), Robin and Deryn Waitt (Canonbie), Bill McHardy and Lou Stott, Archie Paterson (Thornhill, Stirlingshire), Norman MacKay (Nairn), Donal Ring, Michael Horgan and Jerry Coakley (the latter two on magnificent red 5 rows) from the Cork area in the Irish Republic and to conclude the first half Ian Stewart (from Markinch, a ‘graduate’ of Buttons and Bows). Amongst the histories given, Robin Waitt told us that he was playing the late Toby Stewart of Ecclefechan’s black Shand Morino.
Tea time – steak bridies (once again generously donated by Dave Pullar), scones, assorted fancies, biscuits and tea all washed down by conversations with friends old and new and the exchange of information that is such an important ingredient in these annual get-togethers. A big thank you to all the ‘scullery maids’ from all us hungry visitors.
Back to business and who better than Billy and Sandy Anderson to set the tone for the second half. Billy, piano accordionist from St Andrews, is well known to all of us but for me at any rate it was my first opportunity to hear his talented brother Sandy on the 3 row. Billy inevitably steals the show though with his jokes done in the authentic dialects – hilarious. We then had Bruce Lindsay Jnr, this year accompanied by a ‘big band’, then Billy Thomson (Tarland), Scott Band (Newtyle), Gladys Wright, John Weaks (Glasgow), Catherine Speight (from Anstruther who delighted the audience with selections on fiddle), Dave Ritchie (Falkland – piano box), Dave Husband (playing a cracking red Hohner Morino IVM piano box) and finishing with moothie player John McDonald playing the tune written for him by the Maestro himself ‘John McDonald’s March’. It seems to be the year of the black Shand Morino since Gladys Wright was also playing ‘a cracker’ she had recently bought from Dave Pullar.
Many thanks to all of the above for their fine efforts and also to the backing musicians. Residents were Jim Scott (piano) and John Sinton (bass) who backed everyone with frequent appearances from second accordionists Jack Delaney, Ian McCallum, Stuart Venters and Bruce Lindsay Snr, fiddlers Lou Stott and Graeme Burns and drummers Dave Taylor, Tom Hope, Bobby Dowds and Charlie Todd.
There were small accordion displays in the anti-room by Robert Rolston and Alan Shute and Alan kindly donated 3 dust covers which were raffled amongst the Shand Morino owners. Having worked his way through the 15 players names on John McDonald’s list Bruce said there were 20 odd Shand Morinos on display and asked the other owners to identify themselves. When they didn’t Bruce responded in his usual pawky style by saying “that’s grand, I’ll just take the rest hame masel.”
The afternoon rounded off toward 5.30pm with a stramash consisting of all the players present. As usual there were some faces missing from last year’s event but there were also some new faces to keep things fresh. Congratulations once again to the Windygates Committee, and in particular to Bruce Lindsay Snr and John McDonald, for staging such a successful afternoon and for helping to preserve this wonderful instrument which is so central to our traditional music. Thanks also to the photographers who recorded the afternoon, namely Frank Morrison and Stuart Venters – their work says more about the event than I ever could.
Hopefully see you all again next year and remember don’t be put off if you’ve never been before
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Fine Tuning – Ewan Galloway SDB – EGCD001 Independent
As Highland as it Gets – Fergie MacDonald – CD112 Independent
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
2nd March 13 – Alexander Lindsay SDB + Keith Dickson 25 Years of KODA
9th March 13 – Robert Black SDB + NAAFC Concert at Inshyra Grange
16th March 13 – Ronnie Easton SDB (Archive) + NAAFC Band Competition at Inshyra Grange
23rd March 13 – Andrew Gibb SDB (Debut) + Max Houliston
30th March 13 – Hector McFadyen SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th March 13 – Craig Paton Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th March 13 – Roger Dobson SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 3rd March 13 – AGM + Ewan Galloway Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 17th March 13 – Andrew Gibb SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th March 13 – Fit & Able
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 18th March 13 – Willie Scott Duo
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 10th March 13 – Shirley Cathcart SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 12th March 13 – Dochie McCallum & Friends
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 14th March 13 – Billy Anderson & Kilrymont Band
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th March 13 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 19th March 13 – The Occasionals
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st March 13 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Coldingham (Crosslaw Caravan Park) - 4th March 13 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 7th March 13 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 19th March 13 – Ray Carse
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th March 13 – Andrew Gibb Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th March 13 – Jim Cleland SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 12th March 13 – Ewan Galloway SDB 22nd March 13 – Dance to Willie McFarlane Band
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 18th March 13 – Clappy Doo C.B.
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th March 13 – The Garioch Blend
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 25th March 13 – John Morgan
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 31st March 13 – Ladybank A&F Club
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th March 13 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - March 13 -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 7th March 13 – Club Night
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 21st March 13 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 6th March 13 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - March 13 -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 3rd March 13 – Steven Carcary Trio
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 17th March 13 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th March 13 – Lindsay Weir SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 13th March 13 – Ian Muir Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th March 13 – Marian Anderson SDB
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 5th March 13 – Jim Lindsay Trio
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – March 13 -
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) – March 13 -
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 21st March 13 – Craig Paton & Andy Kain
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 25th March 13 – Gordon Pattullo & Gemma Donald
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 10th March 13 – Open Day 13th March 13 – David Vernon
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) - March 13 -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 7th March 13 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm ross
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th March 13 – John Morgan
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 26th March 13 – Jimmy Lindsay Trio
Maine Valley (Ballymena) - March 13 -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 19th March 13 – Derek Hamilton
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 10th March 13 – 30th Anniversary Steven Carcary SDB
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - March 13 -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club) 20th March 13 – Neil Hardie SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th March 13 – Paul Capaldi & Keith Dickson
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th March 13 – Gordon Pattullo & Gemma Donald
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 6th March 13 – John Trotter Low Country Boys
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 7th March 13 – Roy Hendrie
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – March 13 -
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 28th March 13 - KODA
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th March 13 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - March 13 -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) - March 13 -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 12th March 13 – Deoch ‘n’Dorus
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th March 13 – Clappy Doo C.B.
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - March 13 -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 19th March 13 – Andy Kain
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - March 13 -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 7th March 13 – Local night 21st March 13 – Burns Brothers C.B. 22nd March 13 – End of Season Dance to Burns Brothers C.B.
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 6th March 13 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - March 13 -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 12th March 13 – Deirdre Adamson
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th March 13 – Robert Nairn SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th March 13 – Wemysshill Duo
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st March 13 – Dick Black Band
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 2nd 16th & 30th March 13 – Saturday Ceilidh Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 14th March 13 – Alan Small
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 19th March 13 – Stewart Walker SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Balloch
5. Beith
6. Biggar
7. Button-Key
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dunfermline
14. Fintry
15. Forfar
16. Forres
17. Gretna
18. Haddington
19. Highland
20. Inveraray
21. Isle of Skye
22. Kelso
23. Ladybank
24. Lanark
25. Langholm
26. Lewis & Harris
27. Livingston
28. Lockerbie
29. Mauchline
30. Montrose
31. Newtongrange
32. Northern
33. Oban
34. Peebles
35. Perth
36. Renfrew
37. Rothbury
38. Seghill
39. Shetland
40. Stonehouse
41. Thornhill
42. Thurso
43. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2012
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54 Maine Valley A&F Club (
55 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
56 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
57 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
58 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
61. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
62. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
63. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
64. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
65. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
66. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
67. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
68. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
69. Selkirk A&F Club (
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
72 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
73 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
76 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
77 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
78 West Barnes ( - present)
79 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
80. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
81. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
82. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
83. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
84. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
85. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
86. Buchan A&F Club
87 Callander A&F Club (
88 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
89 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
90 Club Accord
91 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
92. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
93. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
94. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
95. Derwentside A&F Club
96. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
97. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
98. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
99. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
100. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
101. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
102. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
103. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
104. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
105. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
106. Kintore A&F Club (
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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