Box and Fiddle
Year 31 No 09
May 2008
Price £2.30
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £25.30 + p&p £8.80 (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
Yet again we’ve had trouble squeezing everything in this month’s issue. I was delighted to have the chance to visit the new Antique Accordion Museum at Bogbain Farm near Inverness. Caroline Hunt has only a fraction of her 200+ accordions on display, but the intention is to extend the Museum into the Barn that is being specially prepared. When this happens I can envisage Bogbain becoming Mecca for accordion enthusiast from all over the world – similar to the well-known museum at Castelfidardo in Italy.
Next month we have articles about the Coupe Mondiale, which is coming to Glasgow in October and the NAO.
Karin Ingram
Antique Accordion Museum
by Caroline Hunt
The opening of the Antique Accordion Museum on 26th March at Bogbain Farm and Heritage Centre (two miles south of Inverness on A9) was well attended – about 100 people were there for the opening, which was followed by a concert by Bruce MacGregor, Sandy Brechin and Brian O hEadran (pronounced Bree-an O’Hara). Stag’s Breath Liqueur from Newtonmore kindly donated some bottles to add to the atmosphere!
Over 60 accordions are currently on display in the restaurant and shop. Some display cases were obtained from Elgin Museum after they got a lottery grant, but more cases are required, so if anyone hears of any others seeking a good home please let us know. There are plans to convert a barn later and further rare and interesting accordions will go on display in due course. Until space is available at Bogpain, and to ensure visitors also go to Grantown Museum in May, many of the really rare and playable ones will be on display in Grantown-on-Spey Museum from Sunday 4th May – Saturday 17th May.
At Bogbain there is an example of a sheng – a reproduction of the original reed instrument made in China around 1740. There is also depicted at the top of a rare Russian poster by Alfred Mirek which shows the Accordion Family Tree.
There is a case of colourful and tiny children’s accordions made in the 1950’s and 60’s from China, Japan, Germany and USA.
An early Austrian accordion, dated around the 1850’s was found was found to have several reed blocks missing and a ribin’s nest inside – proving that old accordions can also double up as nest boxes!
There are examples of early Italian accordions by Paolo Sopani and Crucianelli with some lovely intricate wood and mother-of-pearl inlay.
To show the different between accordions and concertinas there are also some examples of concertinas – but to also show that concertinas, like accordions, come in all shapes and sizes there are three concertinas on display from the usual octagonal shaped one to the oblong chemnitzer / bandonian type and an enormous square one.
There are melodeons on display showing the type of instrument very popular in Scotland in the late 1800s and early 1900s – and some rarer ones with bells and horns. Very decorative piano were popular in the hotel bands in London – where the musicians tended to be better off than the Scots!
A 1936 Yamaha melodeon was very generously donated by Japanese accordion researched Yoshiya Watanabe, who kindly went to an auction in Tokyo, bought it, and sent it as a gift.
There is a Polish accordion with beautiful wood inlay and a very interesting Czech one where the piano keys are buttons the bass notes are diatonic! Polish and Czech accordion music is excellent and many Scottish dances can be danced to their music – if anyone knows any Polish or Czech musicians in Scotland please ask them to get in touch.
All musicians are welcome to come along to the music sessions held on the last Sunday of the month, but it would be especially good to also see some foreign musicians and hear some of their music too.
The Run Rig Dance Band
by
Mention the name Runrig, and most people immediately think of the Skye-based Scots super-group, a rock band with sell-out concerts for tens of thousands on the shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. However many Highlanders’ and Hebrideans’ musical memories take them back 35 years or more to the smoky Skye village halls and the Gay Gordons, Eightsome Reels and Gaelic Waltzes that made for a typical Friday or Saturday night’s entertainment. The music then would invariably be provided by such local Skye bands as Peter MacSween, Ian ‘Cordovox’ MacDonald, The Roddy Urquhart Band, Alasdair Michie, The John Munro Trio or The Skyevers. The latter band was slightly different in that they had grown up with the sound of Bobby MacLeod in one ear, and Elvis in the other, and the music they played reflected this eclectic mix.
It was these formative years that would inspire Rory Macdonald, then a member of the Skyevers, to broaden his musical horizons.
Then, as now, many young people left the islands to study or work in the cities.
Blair Douglas’s family had already moved to Glasgow, and his friends, brothers Rory and Calum Macdonald, eventually joined him there – Rory to attend Glasgow School of Art and Calum to study PE at Jordanhill College. Blair’s mother Ina took pity on the two Macdonald lads and fed them every Sunday night for months. She was the Secretary of the Highland Society’s North Uist and Bernera Association and in March 1973 she announced that she needed a band to play for a function taking place in the Kelvin Hall in a couple of weeks’ time. Blair was already making a name for himself as a talented accordionist, and Rory had played guitar in The Skyevers – so all that was needed was a drummer! Calum was forever keeping time with feet and hands while Blair and Rory were jamming together, so he seemed the obvious choice. However, not only did he not have a drum kit – he’d never even played one! Nothing daunted he headed off to Biggar’s in Sauchiehall Street and bought a yellow, second-hand, Ajax drum kit on hire purchase for £49 plus interest. Rory recounted the story to Tom Morton, author of ‘Going Home, The Runrig Story’. “He came home one Saturday afternoon with this drum kit in a taxi. The bedsit we were in was part of a bigger house, and there was a TV lounge. Calum asked the landlord if he could rehearse his drums in the basement. He didn’t even know how to set them up! I was sitting watching TV with this old man in his seventies and, half way through a film, we heard this incredibly loud banging from underneath us. It was an unearthly racket and the old man nearly jumped out of his skin, shouting, “What the hell was THAT?” There was complete uproar. The landlord told Calum to stop after five minutes, and that was the only time he played a kit until the dance.”
With the band line-up complete, the lads had to decide on a name. Early suggestions were ‘Rockall’ and ‘The Jacobites’, but the weekend before the first gig Rory was reading Blair’s Scottish history notes (that was what he was studying at Glasgow University) and came across a reference to the ‘run-rig’ system of crafting. (Run-rig was a system of land occupation commonly practiced in Scotland. The name refers to the ridge and furrow pattern, with alternating ‘runs’ (furrows) and ‘rigs’ (ridges). The system was still common in the 20th century in the Hebrides. In Ireland, a similar system was called rundale. The run-rig pattern can still be seen on part of Braid Hills Golf Course in Edinburgh.) And so they became the Run Rig Dance Band.
Outfits were organised by Blair’s mum and sister and consisted of purple shirts, black trousers and bow-ties: Rory was less than impressed!
The first gig went really well and The Run Rig Dance Band set out on the long road to fame. Calum booked The Waternish Hall on Skye and their first gig on home soil saw only Blair and Calum performing because Rory was stuck in Glasgow at work as a graphic artist. Music was all that Rory really wanted though, and he packed in his job and headed north. Throughout that summer of 1973 The Run Rig Dance Band were in great demand all over the island. According to The West Highland Free Press the three Portree boys were ‘about to broaden their horizons’ by going to play in Uist!
That same summer Donnie Munro was home on holiday from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. He told Tom Morton, “It was very funny. I came home from Art School during the summer. One night somebody said there was a dance on at the local village hall and a band called Rin-Rig was playing. I said, ‘Oh, who is it?’ They said it was Rory Macdonald and I remembered The Skyevers who were totally unreal, the original Skye pop group. ‘Oh yes’ I said, and that was fine. Then they said Blair Douglas, whom I knew, and I heard he’d become an accordion player. So again, that was fine, and I said, “so who else?” And someone said Calum Macdonald and I went ‘CALUM MACDONALD! Calum was in my class at school and I’ve never heard him sing a note or play an instrument or do anything musical whatsoever, ever! What the hell is he doing there?” Somebody said, “Och, he plays the drums.” So I went up to listen to them, and it was just a brilliant time. They were playing Scottish country dance tunes, but I’d never heard them played that was before.”
Donnie went along to another of the dances later that same summer and ended up singing at the interval. So his first gig with Runrig was as a support act!
During their final year of studies in Glasgow (Rory had remained on Skye and Donnie was back in Aberdeen) Calum and Blair played a few gigs with friend Donnie ‘Large’ Macdonald and Noel Eadie (who also played bass with Andy MacColl’s SDB). But this time they were prepared for the summer and they booked a full summer dance programme on Skye – this time promoting themselves. Donnie joined them as their lead singer. They also “broadened their horizons” some more with gigs in Mallaig, Benbecula, Plockton and The Corran Halls in Oban.
Rory told Jim Wilkie (author of ‘Blue Suede Brogans’, a history of Scottish rock and pop music), “The pop stuff was nowhere, but between Calum, Blair and myself there was a tremendous vibe for the Scottish stuff. Basically we were a dance band, playing to excite people on the dance floor…..then reacting to the audience. I moved back to Skye, and the summer of 1974 was the first full one we played.”
On 21st June 1974 they played in The Skye Gathering Hall and Calum recorded it in his diary….
“First summer engagement for the school youth wing end-of-term dance. Crack was good, band played well but a few things need polishing up. Then, just as we were about to get paid, Donald the Hall enters with perfect timing. “Oh”, he says, “there will be £10 off the bill, you see, the b****rs ripped the cistern off the wall – we’ve not got a drop of water in the house, and the plumbers won’t be here until morning.” With that he clatters Irene Macleod (who was organising the dance) round the shoulders and staggers off with his broom.” By the end of 1974 Blair had left to pursue other musical interests, including another ceilidh/rock band called The Electric Ceilidh Band (with the aforementioned Jim Wilkie), playing the same circuit as his former colleagues.
His replacement was accordionist Robert Macdonald. Robert was a real purist when it came to strict tempo for Scottish dance music. If Calum was getting over enthusiastic on his drum kit, Robert would glare at him and shout, “Snare, SNARE!” Just before the band made their first nerve-wracking live appearance on BBC TV Robert came out with the immortal line, “Listen lads, I think we’re kidding ourselves on here.” He was the driving force behind the dance music on the first album ‘Play Gaelic’, which was released in 1977, but music was really a hobby for Robert and by 1978 he had left the band and Blair had returned. A fifth member had joined that year, young piper and guitarist Malcolm Jones, from Portree. Malcolm was a big fan of The Electric Ceilidh Band and had also seen The Run Rig Dance Band play many times. He viewed them as simply a good time dance band. He jammed with Runrig around Christmas time 1977 and got the bug for live performance. He locked himself away for the next six months or so practicing his guitar and by the time he joined the band full-time in the summer was still, in his words, merely ‘mediocre’!
By now the dance music was thoroughly interspersed with rock, pop and folk. Donnie recounted this story to Jim Wilkie. “We did the first big Plaza Ballroom and billed it ‘Celtic Rock Night’. We were flyposting at Bridgeton Cross (Rangers Territory) late at night when these guys came along and said, ‘Ho! What the **** is this Celtic music by the way?’ ‘K’, wa said, trying not to panic ‘It’s Keltic.’”
There have been several personnel changes over the years, Blair left once more and drummer Iain Bayne(from New Celeste and Billy Anderson’s Albany) joined. Keyboard players Richard Cherns was with them for a short spell, later to be replaced by Pete Wishart (now an SNP MP) and latterly by Brian Hurren. In 1997 lead singer Donnie Munro left and after a long (and far-flung) search, Canadian Bruce Guthro joined the line-up.
As a band they now play very rarely for dancing, although Malcolm Jones plays regularly in ceilidh bands (having taken up the accordion in addition to his other musical duties) and has an in-depth knowledge of dance tempos and tunes, and Iain Bayne has been known to cart his snare drum along to the odd event. Go along to a concert today (or watch their new DVD) and you might just recognize a few bits and pieces they manage to slip in from their former guise as a Ceilidh Dance Band – the influences are obviously still there.
After 35 years the Run Rig Dance Band is known world-wide as simply Runrig and their popularity is immense. They attract huge audience wherever they play and their music and the song-writing skills of Calum and Rory are admired throughout Scotland and beyond. Despite that, they remain completely down to earth and one sometimes has the impression that they still think that they’re ‘kidding themselves on here!’ From the village halls to the massive stadiums, Runrig have stayed true to their roots and their Gaelic culture. It’s been a long journey but, as any fan will tell you, the atmosphere at a Runrig concert is just as heady and exciting as those far off days in the smoky village halls. At heart, they’re still The Run Rig Dance Band.
With thanks to Rory Macdonald, Malcolm Jones and Norman MacLeod (Runrig Archives). Additional sources : ‘Going home. The Runrig Story’, by Tom Morton – Mainstream Publishing. ‘Blue Suede Brogans. Scenes from the Secret Life of Scottish Rock Music, by Jim Wilkie – Mainstream publishing.
Scottish Traditional Music Graded Exams
by Josh Dickson
You may be a fiddle or accordion teacher ………….
Stanley Ceilidh 2007
by Iain Cathcart
The 29th Annual ………
Gretna Ceilidh Weekend
by
All roads led to Gretna…………….
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
The Garioch Fiddlers Celebrate 25 Years – DRCD3005
Year of the Flood – Runrig – Ridge Records – RRD049
TMSA Young Trad Tour – Featuring the finalists of the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2007
DVD Reviews
Meet the Musicians Vol 2 – Nicol McLaren & Robert Whitehead – Streaming Pictures – SPMTM02
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
3rd May 08 - Alexander Lindsay SDB (Gordon Pattullo)
10th May 08 – Marian Anderson SDB (Max Ketchin)
17th May 08 – Fraser McGlynn Duo (Dennis Morrison’s golden Oldies)
24th May 08 – tbc
31st May 08 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus (OB from Dornie Community Hall with guests Ewan Robertson & Hanna Beaton)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th May 08 – AGM + Steven Carcary Duo
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th May 08 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th May 08 – Davie Stewart & Bill Ewan
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 2nd May 08 – Colin Dewar Trio 3rd May – Dance to Steven Carcary SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th May 08 – Davie Stewart
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th May 08 – Michael Philip SDB
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th May 08 – Jim Gold SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 8th May 08 – Patsy Reid (fiddle)
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th May 08 – Gordon Shand SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 2nd May 08 – Dance to Judith Linton Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st May 08 - tbc
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 14th May 08 – Dick Black Band
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th May 08 – Ian Anderson Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st May 08 – Tom Alexander
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 13th May 08 - AGM
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 19th May 08 – AGM + Club Night
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th May 08 – Davie Stewart Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th May 08 – Hector MacFadyen SDB
Forfar (The Royal Hotel) - 25th May 08 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th May 08 – Simon Howie SDB + Band Competitions
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 25th May 08 – Duncan Black SDB
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th May 08 – Deirdre Adamson + Trio Competitions
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st May 08 – Tom Orr SDB 22nd May 08 – Ian Muir Trio 23rd May – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus & Sileas Sinclair 24th May – Gunna Sound C.B.
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 28th May 08 – Jim MacKay SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) – 7th May 08 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 15th May 08 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 1st May 08 – Local Players
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th May 08 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (The Ship Hotel) - 29th May 08 – David Cunningham SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th May 08 – Steven Carcary & Malcolm Ross
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – 22nd May 08 – Fergie MacDonald
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th May 08 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - 6th May 08 – Declan Aungier
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 1st May 08 – John Douglas SDB
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 11th May 08 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th May 08 – Lindsay Weir Duo
Turriff (Commercail Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st May 08 – Garioch Blend
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th May 08 – Walter Perrie & Tom Cowing
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 10th May 08 – Local Players
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 8th May 08 – James Coutts SDB
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th May 08 – Michael Philip SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Blairgowrie
10. Button-key
11. Campsie
12. Carlisle
13. Castle Douglas
14. Coalburn
15. Crieff
16. Cults
17. Dingwall
18. Dunblane
19. Dunfermline
20. Duns
21. Forres
22. Glendale
23. Glenrothes
24. Gretna
25. Haddington
26. Inveraray
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Kintore
31. Lewis & Harris
32. Livingston
33. Lockerbie
34. Mauchline
35. Montrose
36. Newburgh
37. Newtongrange
38. North East
39. Oban
40. Peebles
41. Perth
42. Premier
43. Rothbury
44. Shetland
45. Sutherland
46. Teviotdale
47. Turriff
48. Tynedale
49. Uist & Benbecula
50. West Barnes
51. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2007
(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. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
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. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
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. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
77. West Barnes ( - present)
78. 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?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
81. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
82. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
83. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
84. Buchan A&F Club
85 Callander A&F Club (
86 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
87 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
88 Club Accord
89 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
90. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
91. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
92. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
93. Derwentside A&F Club
94. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
95. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
96. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
97. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
98. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
99. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
100. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
101. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
102. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
103. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
104. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
105. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
106. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
107. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
108. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
109. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
110. Mull A&F Club
111. Newcastleton Accordion Club
112. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
113. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
118. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
119. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
120. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
121. Tranent A&F Club
122. Vancouver
123. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
124. Wellbank A&F Club
125. 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
Yet again we’ve had trouble squeezing everything in this month’s issue. I was delighted to have the chance to visit the new Antique Accordion Museum at Bogbain Farm near Inverness. Caroline Hunt has only a fraction of her 200+ accordions on display, but the intention is to extend the Museum into the Barn that is being specially prepared. When this happens I can envisage Bogbain becoming Mecca for accordion enthusiast from all over the world – similar to the well-known museum at Castelfidardo in Italy.
Next month we have articles about the Coupe Mondiale, which is coming to Glasgow in October and the NAO.
Karin Ingram
Antique Accordion Museum
by Caroline Hunt
The opening of the Antique Accordion Museum on 26th March at Bogbain Farm and Heritage Centre (two miles south of Inverness on A9) was well attended – about 100 people were there for the opening, which was followed by a concert by Bruce MacGregor, Sandy Brechin and Brian O hEadran (pronounced Bree-an O’Hara). Stag’s Breath Liqueur from Newtonmore kindly donated some bottles to add to the atmosphere!
Over 60 accordions are currently on display in the restaurant and shop. Some display cases were obtained from Elgin Museum after they got a lottery grant, but more cases are required, so if anyone hears of any others seeking a good home please let us know. There are plans to convert a barn later and further rare and interesting accordions will go on display in due course. Until space is available at Bogpain, and to ensure visitors also go to Grantown Museum in May, many of the really rare and playable ones will be on display in Grantown-on-Spey Museum from Sunday 4th May – Saturday 17th May.
At Bogbain there is an example of a sheng – a reproduction of the original reed instrument made in China around 1740. There is also depicted at the top of a rare Russian poster by Alfred Mirek which shows the Accordion Family Tree.
There is a case of colourful and tiny children’s accordions made in the 1950’s and 60’s from China, Japan, Germany and USA.
An early Austrian accordion, dated around the 1850’s was found was found to have several reed blocks missing and a ribin’s nest inside – proving that old accordions can also double up as nest boxes!
There are examples of early Italian accordions by Paolo Sopani and Crucianelli with some lovely intricate wood and mother-of-pearl inlay.
To show the different between accordions and concertinas there are also some examples of concertinas – but to also show that concertinas, like accordions, come in all shapes and sizes there are three concertinas on display from the usual octagonal shaped one to the oblong chemnitzer / bandonian type and an enormous square one.
There are melodeons on display showing the type of instrument very popular in Scotland in the late 1800s and early 1900s – and some rarer ones with bells and horns. Very decorative piano were popular in the hotel bands in London – where the musicians tended to be better off than the Scots!
A 1936 Yamaha melodeon was very generously donated by Japanese accordion researched Yoshiya Watanabe, who kindly went to an auction in Tokyo, bought it, and sent it as a gift.
There is a Polish accordion with beautiful wood inlay and a very interesting Czech one where the piano keys are buttons the bass notes are diatonic! Polish and Czech accordion music is excellent and many Scottish dances can be danced to their music – if anyone knows any Polish or Czech musicians in Scotland please ask them to get in touch.
All musicians are welcome to come along to the music sessions held on the last Sunday of the month, but it would be especially good to also see some foreign musicians and hear some of their music too.
The Run Rig Dance Band
by
Mention the name Runrig, and most people immediately think of the Skye-based Scots super-group, a rock band with sell-out concerts for tens of thousands on the shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. However many Highlanders’ and Hebrideans’ musical memories take them back 35 years or more to the smoky Skye village halls and the Gay Gordons, Eightsome Reels and Gaelic Waltzes that made for a typical Friday or Saturday night’s entertainment. The music then would invariably be provided by such local Skye bands as Peter MacSween, Ian ‘Cordovox’ MacDonald, The Roddy Urquhart Band, Alasdair Michie, The John Munro Trio or The Skyevers. The latter band was slightly different in that they had grown up with the sound of Bobby MacLeod in one ear, and Elvis in the other, and the music they played reflected this eclectic mix.
It was these formative years that would inspire Rory Macdonald, then a member of the Skyevers, to broaden his musical horizons.
Then, as now, many young people left the islands to study or work in the cities.
Blair Douglas’s family had already moved to Glasgow, and his friends, brothers Rory and Calum Macdonald, eventually joined him there – Rory to attend Glasgow School of Art and Calum to study PE at Jordanhill College. Blair’s mother Ina took pity on the two Macdonald lads and fed them every Sunday night for months. She was the Secretary of the Highland Society’s North Uist and Bernera Association and in March 1973 she announced that she needed a band to play for a function taking place in the Kelvin Hall in a couple of weeks’ time. Blair was already making a name for himself as a talented accordionist, and Rory had played guitar in The Skyevers – so all that was needed was a drummer! Calum was forever keeping time with feet and hands while Blair and Rory were jamming together, so he seemed the obvious choice. However, not only did he not have a drum kit – he’d never even played one! Nothing daunted he headed off to Biggar’s in Sauchiehall Street and bought a yellow, second-hand, Ajax drum kit on hire purchase for £49 plus interest. Rory recounted the story to Tom Morton, author of ‘Going Home, The Runrig Story’. “He came home one Saturday afternoon with this drum kit in a taxi. The bedsit we were in was part of a bigger house, and there was a TV lounge. Calum asked the landlord if he could rehearse his drums in the basement. He didn’t even know how to set them up! I was sitting watching TV with this old man in his seventies and, half way through a film, we heard this incredibly loud banging from underneath us. It was an unearthly racket and the old man nearly jumped out of his skin, shouting, “What the hell was THAT?” There was complete uproar. The landlord told Calum to stop after five minutes, and that was the only time he played a kit until the dance.”
With the band line-up complete, the lads had to decide on a name. Early suggestions were ‘Rockall’ and ‘The Jacobites’, but the weekend before the first gig Rory was reading Blair’s Scottish history notes (that was what he was studying at Glasgow University) and came across a reference to the ‘run-rig’ system of crafting. (Run-rig was a system of land occupation commonly practiced in Scotland. The name refers to the ridge and furrow pattern, with alternating ‘runs’ (furrows) and ‘rigs’ (ridges). The system was still common in the 20th century in the Hebrides. In Ireland, a similar system was called rundale. The run-rig pattern can still be seen on part of Braid Hills Golf Course in Edinburgh.) And so they became the Run Rig Dance Band.
Outfits were organised by Blair’s mum and sister and consisted of purple shirts, black trousers and bow-ties: Rory was less than impressed!
The first gig went really well and The Run Rig Dance Band set out on the long road to fame. Calum booked The Waternish Hall on Skye and their first gig on home soil saw only Blair and Calum performing because Rory was stuck in Glasgow at work as a graphic artist. Music was all that Rory really wanted though, and he packed in his job and headed north. Throughout that summer of 1973 The Run Rig Dance Band were in great demand all over the island. According to The West Highland Free Press the three Portree boys were ‘about to broaden their horizons’ by going to play in Uist!
That same summer Donnie Munro was home on holiday from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. He told Tom Morton, “It was very funny. I came home from Art School during the summer. One night somebody said there was a dance on at the local village hall and a band called Rin-Rig was playing. I said, ‘Oh, who is it?’ They said it was Rory Macdonald and I remembered The Skyevers who were totally unreal, the original Skye pop group. ‘Oh yes’ I said, and that was fine. Then they said Blair Douglas, whom I knew, and I heard he’d become an accordion player. So again, that was fine, and I said, “so who else?” And someone said Calum Macdonald and I went ‘CALUM MACDONALD! Calum was in my class at school and I’ve never heard him sing a note or play an instrument or do anything musical whatsoever, ever! What the hell is he doing there?” Somebody said, “Och, he plays the drums.” So I went up to listen to them, and it was just a brilliant time. They were playing Scottish country dance tunes, but I’d never heard them played that was before.”
Donnie went along to another of the dances later that same summer and ended up singing at the interval. So his first gig with Runrig was as a support act!
During their final year of studies in Glasgow (Rory had remained on Skye and Donnie was back in Aberdeen) Calum and Blair played a few gigs with friend Donnie ‘Large’ Macdonald and Noel Eadie (who also played bass with Andy MacColl’s SDB). But this time they were prepared for the summer and they booked a full summer dance programme on Skye – this time promoting themselves. Donnie joined them as their lead singer. They also “broadened their horizons” some more with gigs in Mallaig, Benbecula, Plockton and The Corran Halls in Oban.
Rory told Jim Wilkie (author of ‘Blue Suede Brogans’, a history of Scottish rock and pop music), “The pop stuff was nowhere, but between Calum, Blair and myself there was a tremendous vibe for the Scottish stuff. Basically we were a dance band, playing to excite people on the dance floor…..then reacting to the audience. I moved back to Skye, and the summer of 1974 was the first full one we played.”
On 21st June 1974 they played in The Skye Gathering Hall and Calum recorded it in his diary….
“First summer engagement for the school youth wing end-of-term dance. Crack was good, band played well but a few things need polishing up. Then, just as we were about to get paid, Donald the Hall enters with perfect timing. “Oh”, he says, “there will be £10 off the bill, you see, the b****rs ripped the cistern off the wall – we’ve not got a drop of water in the house, and the plumbers won’t be here until morning.” With that he clatters Irene Macleod (who was organising the dance) round the shoulders and staggers off with his broom.” By the end of 1974 Blair had left to pursue other musical interests, including another ceilidh/rock band called The Electric Ceilidh Band (with the aforementioned Jim Wilkie), playing the same circuit as his former colleagues.
His replacement was accordionist Robert Macdonald. Robert was a real purist when it came to strict tempo for Scottish dance music. If Calum was getting over enthusiastic on his drum kit, Robert would glare at him and shout, “Snare, SNARE!” Just before the band made their first nerve-wracking live appearance on BBC TV Robert came out with the immortal line, “Listen lads, I think we’re kidding ourselves on here.” He was the driving force behind the dance music on the first album ‘Play Gaelic’, which was released in 1977, but music was really a hobby for Robert and by 1978 he had left the band and Blair had returned. A fifth member had joined that year, young piper and guitarist Malcolm Jones, from Portree. Malcolm was a big fan of The Electric Ceilidh Band and had also seen The Run Rig Dance Band play many times. He viewed them as simply a good time dance band. He jammed with Runrig around Christmas time 1977 and got the bug for live performance. He locked himself away for the next six months or so practicing his guitar and by the time he joined the band full-time in the summer was still, in his words, merely ‘mediocre’!
By now the dance music was thoroughly interspersed with rock, pop and folk. Donnie recounted this story to Jim Wilkie. “We did the first big Plaza Ballroom and billed it ‘Celtic Rock Night’. We were flyposting at Bridgeton Cross (Rangers Territory) late at night when these guys came along and said, ‘Ho! What the **** is this Celtic music by the way?’ ‘K’, wa said, trying not to panic ‘It’s Keltic.’”
There have been several personnel changes over the years, Blair left once more and drummer Iain Bayne(from New Celeste and Billy Anderson’s Albany) joined. Keyboard players Richard Cherns was with them for a short spell, later to be replaced by Pete Wishart (now an SNP MP) and latterly by Brian Hurren. In 1997 lead singer Donnie Munro left and after a long (and far-flung) search, Canadian Bruce Guthro joined the line-up.
As a band they now play very rarely for dancing, although Malcolm Jones plays regularly in ceilidh bands (having taken up the accordion in addition to his other musical duties) and has an in-depth knowledge of dance tempos and tunes, and Iain Bayne has been known to cart his snare drum along to the odd event. Go along to a concert today (or watch their new DVD) and you might just recognize a few bits and pieces they manage to slip in from their former guise as a Ceilidh Dance Band – the influences are obviously still there.
After 35 years the Run Rig Dance Band is known world-wide as simply Runrig and their popularity is immense. They attract huge audience wherever they play and their music and the song-writing skills of Calum and Rory are admired throughout Scotland and beyond. Despite that, they remain completely down to earth and one sometimes has the impression that they still think that they’re ‘kidding themselves on here!’ From the village halls to the massive stadiums, Runrig have stayed true to their roots and their Gaelic culture. It’s been a long journey but, as any fan will tell you, the atmosphere at a Runrig concert is just as heady and exciting as those far off days in the smoky village halls. At heart, they’re still The Run Rig Dance Band.
With thanks to Rory Macdonald, Malcolm Jones and Norman MacLeod (Runrig Archives). Additional sources : ‘Going home. The Runrig Story’, by Tom Morton – Mainstream Publishing. ‘Blue Suede Brogans. Scenes from the Secret Life of Scottish Rock Music, by Jim Wilkie – Mainstream publishing.
Scottish Traditional Music Graded Exams
by Josh Dickson
You may be a fiddle or accordion teacher ………….
Stanley Ceilidh 2007
by Iain Cathcart
The 29th Annual ………
Gretna Ceilidh Weekend
by
All roads led to Gretna…………….
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
The Garioch Fiddlers Celebrate 25 Years – DRCD3005
Year of the Flood – Runrig – Ridge Records – RRD049
TMSA Young Trad Tour – Featuring the finalists of the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2007
DVD Reviews
Meet the Musicians Vol 2 – Nicol McLaren & Robert Whitehead – Streaming Pictures – SPMTM02
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
3rd May 08 - Alexander Lindsay SDB (Gordon Pattullo)
10th May 08 – Marian Anderson SDB (Max Ketchin)
17th May 08 – Fraser McGlynn Duo (Dennis Morrison’s golden Oldies)
24th May 08 – tbc
31st May 08 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus (OB from Dornie Community Hall with guests Ewan Robertson & Hanna Beaton)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th May 08 – AGM + Steven Carcary Duo
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th May 08 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th May 08 – Davie Stewart & Bill Ewan
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 2nd May 08 – Colin Dewar Trio 3rd May – Dance to Steven Carcary SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th May 08 – Davie Stewart
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th May 08 – Michael Philip SDB
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th May 08 – Jim Gold SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 8th May 08 – Patsy Reid (fiddle)
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th May 08 – Gordon Shand SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 2nd May 08 – Dance to Judith Linton Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st May 08 - tbc
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 14th May 08 – Dick Black Band
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th May 08 – Ian Anderson Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st May 08 – Tom Alexander
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 13th May 08 - AGM
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 19th May 08 – AGM + Club Night
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th May 08 – Davie Stewart Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th May 08 – Hector MacFadyen SDB
Forfar (The Royal Hotel) - 25th May 08 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th May 08 – Simon Howie SDB + Band Competitions
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 25th May 08 – Duncan Black SDB
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th May 08 – Deirdre Adamson + Trio Competitions
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st May 08 – Tom Orr SDB 22nd May 08 – Ian Muir Trio 23rd May – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus & Sileas Sinclair 24th May – Gunna Sound C.B.
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 28th May 08 – Jim MacKay SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) – 7th May 08 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 15th May 08 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 1st May 08 – Local Players
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th May 08 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (The Ship Hotel) - 29th May 08 – David Cunningham SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th May 08 – Steven Carcary & Malcolm Ross
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – 22nd May 08 – Fergie MacDonald
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th May 08 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - 6th May 08 – Declan Aungier
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 1st May 08 – John Douglas SDB
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 11th May 08 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th May 08 – Lindsay Weir Duo
Turriff (Commercail Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st May 08 – Garioch Blend
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th May 08 – Walter Perrie & Tom Cowing
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 10th May 08 – Local Players
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 8th May 08 – James Coutts SDB
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th May 08 – Michael Philip SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Blairgowrie
10. Button-key
11. Campsie
12. Carlisle
13. Castle Douglas
14. Coalburn
15. Crieff
16. Cults
17. Dingwall
18. Dunblane
19. Dunfermline
20. Duns
21. Forres
22. Glendale
23. Glenrothes
24. Gretna
25. Haddington
26. Inveraray
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Kintore
31. Lewis & Harris
32. Livingston
33. Lockerbie
34. Mauchline
35. Montrose
36. Newburgh
37. Newtongrange
38. North East
39. Oban
40. Peebles
41. Perth
42. Premier
43. Rothbury
44. Shetland
45. Sutherland
46. Teviotdale
47. Turriff
48. Tynedale
49. Uist & Benbecula
50. West Barnes
51. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2007
(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. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
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. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
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. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
77. West Barnes ( - present)
78. 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?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
81. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
82. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
83. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
84. Buchan A&F Club
85 Callander A&F Club (
86 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
87 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
88 Club Accord
89 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
90. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
91. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
92. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
93. Derwentside A&F Club
94. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
95. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
96. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
97. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
98. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
99. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
100. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
101. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
102. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
103. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
104. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
105. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
106. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
107. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
108. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
109. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
110. Mull A&F Club
111. Newcastleton Accordion Club
112. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
113. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
118. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
119. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
120. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
121. Tranent A&F Club
122. Vancouver
123. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
124. Wellbank A&F Club
125. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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