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April 2024
The April meeting of the Club started on a sombre note with a tribute to Club member – Steve Bremner – who had sadly passed away on 20 March 2024. Steve was an excellent guitarist who belonged to Wick in Caithness but had lived on Skye for almost 60 years. Steve had played with many bands over the years and latterly with Calum MacAskill at the Club here in Portree. A large turnout of family and friends attended the funeral service in Portree Church of Scotland on Wednesday, 3rd April, which culminated with Calum MacAskill and Carina Campbell playing the beautiful tune “The Gift of Time” composed by the late Jim MacKay. The sympathy of everyone connected with the Club is extended to Steve's daughter, Linda, son, Stephen and other members of the family.
To start the musical proceedings Fox Brendon took to the stage and played a lovely selection on the Scottish Small Pipes followed by his 7 year old son, Kiro, on the fiddle, playing the “Bonnie Lass O' Fyvie” and “Uist Tramping Song”. Next to perform was Kiro's big sister, Leela, on fiddle with “Flatwater Fran” and “Walking on the Moon”. Kiro was then quickly up and played a couple of tunes on his Dad's Small Pipes to great acclaim from the large audience.
A regular visitor to the Club, Dennis Hurst from Munlochy, then produced his two row button box and gave the audience a great selection of Scottish tunes which had the feet tapping finishing up with “Bonnie Naver Bay”.
It was then the turn of Club Chair Julia to pick up her fiddle to play “Shetland Shells” followed by “Farquhar and Hetties's Waltz” and “Waltz for Kylin” before finishing up with “Neil Gow's Lament for his second Wife”.
Accordionist Emily Matheson from Staffin then made a welcome return featuring the beautiful waltz “Margaret Ann Robertson” followed by lively sets of jigs and marches which brought us up to guest artist time.
A truly family band from Inverness, the Colin Donaldson Trio, featuring Colin on accordion, his wife Heather on drums and their 14 year son on piano were warmly welcomed on stage as they played a great set of jigs. This was followed by some fine marches, French tunes, waltzes, an Irish twostep and the set of reels - “Polharrow Burn”, “Rakes of Malow”, “Sword of St Columba” and
“Archie Menzies” - finishing the first half with some jigs.
After the usual short break for tea and sandwiches and a 'comfort stop' Dennis got the second half under way with some cracking tunes getting the audience clapping and singing along. The applause continued as Emily returned to the stage to entertain us with “Redwing”, “All the way to Galway” and two beautiful Runrig tunes. Haste ye back, Emily!
The raffle was then drawn and Julia welcomed the guest band back on stage and they started with a lively set of Irish Jigs followed by the lovely Jazz feature - “Autumn Leaves”. They continued with
a selection of marches, a quickstep from Jungle Book - “I Wanna Be Like You” and “The Bare Necessities” and the waltzes “Sandy and Helen Gardiner's Golden Wedding Waltz”, “Della's Waltz” and “Anne Muir's Waltz”. A popular set of Scottish tunes had everyone singing along before they rounded off the evening in fine style with another grand set of jigs. An excellent mixture of music from three great musicians with special credit to the talented young pianist, Fraser.
The next Club night – the final event 0f this season – will be held in the Royal Hotel, Portree, on Thursday, 2nd May 2024 with the guest band still to be confirmed.
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March 2024
Club regulars Calum MacAskill on accordion, Carina Campbell on fiddle and Charlie Oag (drums) began proceedings with a great set of 2/4 marches comprising two compositions of the late Donald MacFarlane from Oban – 'John Peel' and 'Calum MacAskill's Welcome to Oban'. They followed this with a beautiful set of waltzes which was much appreciated by a slightly larger audience including visitors from the USA, Netherlands, Kiltarlity and Inverness.
It was then time for the Brendon family, with young Kiro coming to the stage with his fiddle to play 'The Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie'. He then picked up his whistle and performed the 'Skye Boat Song' followed by 'Tha mi Sigh' before Carina joined him on stage for the fiddle duet, 'In Dreams'.
Big sister and fiddler Leela Brendon then played 'Margaret's Waltz' followed by the 'Patchwork Polka'.
Making a most welcome return to the Club was 14 year old Tilly Ng, who last played there in 2018, and she gave the audience a polished performance of tunes on her fiddle. Tilly was then followed by her younger brother, Elliot, on accordion and, making his debut in the Club, who played 'The Dark Island'. Great to see Tilly back with us and hopefully we shall hear them again next month.
MC Julia then welcomed our guest band on to the stage – the Matthew MacLennan Trio – comprising Matthew on piano accordion with Julia Dignan on fiddle, both based in Edinburgh, and Skye born Ally K MacPherson, now resident in Inverness, on drums. They began their evening with a lively set of Pipe Marches which really had everybody's feet tapping. During the first half the band played the twostep 'Bouncing Bobby', a set of fine Irish waltzes and the Ian Holmes composition 'Queen of the South Polka' before rounding off with set of catchy reels.
Julia herself got the second half under way with 'Midnight on the Water' and the 'Ashokan Farewell' followed by 'Westering Home' and the 'Hills of Lorne'. It was then back to the stage for Leela and Carina who gave us a grand fiddle duet of 2/4 and 6/8 Marches followed by the twosteps, the 'Andy Ross Twostep' and Frank Jamieson'.
Another couple welcomed to the Club on a return visit were Sarah Jane Shanklin on fiddle and Hugh 'Shuggie' MacCallum on drums and they were joined on stage by Matthew on accordion.
They gave the audience a cracking selection of 2/4 and 6/8 marches – 'Captain Carswell', 'Maclean of Pennycross', 'Donald MacLean of Lewis' and 'Kenneth J MacLeod'. We hope they will be back to entertain us soon again.
An interesting addition to the programme was then introduced by MC Julia – a 'Stramash' – in which we heard five fiddlers, two accordionists and Hugh on drums give us a fine selection of waltzes – 'Skye Boat Song', 'Margaret's Waltz' and 'Morag of Dunvegan'. This was very much enjoyed and loudly applauded by the audience.
Time then for the guests, the Matthew MacLennan Trio, to take over for the remainder of the evening and they got the feet tapping once again with some 4/4 marches followed by a set of fiddle jigs. A varied mixture of music including Gaelic waltzes, a set of fiddle strathspeys, the 6/8 marches 'Games Day at Aboyne' and 'Braemar Highland Gathering' and the waltzes 'Ally's Waltz' and 'Maggies West's Waltz' made up the second half which the band finished with a fantastic set of Shetland reels.
Next month the Club Meet on Thursday, 4th April in the Royal Hotel, Portree, when it will be the music of the Colin Donaldson Trio, very much a family band from Inverness and the Committee look forward to a good turnout to support them and to encourage all our young local musicians.
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February 2024
Another dreich evening of weather resulted in a poor attendance at the February meeting of the local Accordion and Fiddle Club when Calum MacAskill (accordion) and Charlie Oag (drums) got the evening off to a flying start with a great set of marches – 'Major Norman Orr Ewing', 'The Headlands' and 'Dovecote Park' . They followed this by slowing the tempo to play a fine set of waltzes.
The sound of the bagpipes then followed as Fox Brendon played some slow airs and marches before being followed on to the stage by his young son, Kiro, who gave a nice rendition of 'Cailinn Mo Run Sa' on his fiddle after which he produced his whistle and played the 'Fairy Lullaby' followed by 'Happy Birthday' especially for his Dad celebrating his birthday the following day. Big sister Leela then took over on the fiddle playing 'Margaret's Waltz' followed by 'Willafjord'. The Club is delighted to have the support of the Brendon family who travel in from Uig every month to boost our local players.
Club Chair and MC Julia Rudram then played a selection on her fiddle – 'The Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie', 'Leaving Glenurquhart' and 'Pibroch of Donald Dubh' which brought us up to guest artist time.
It was a warm welcome back to the Andrew MacDonald Trio who last appeared at the Club in 2017. Andrew, who is now based near Oban, played piano accordion and was accompanied on fiddle by Sarah Jane Shanklin from Acharacle and Glenelg's own Iain Cameron on drums. A rousing set of jigs got the session off to a great start followed by lively sets of marches and reels including a beautiful slow air and the waltzes - 'Farquhar and Hettie's Waltz' composed by Farquhar Macrae and 'Margaret's Waltz' by Pat Shaw. The first half ended as it began in great style with a set of jigs.
After the customary break for tea and sandwiches Calum and Charlie got the second half under way with a set of 2/4 marches followed by some 6/8 marches – 'Sweet Maid of Mull' and the 'Bearsden Fiddlers'. It was Julia's duty again to take to the stage and she played Phil Cunningham's composition 'The Pearl' followed by 'The Massacre of Glencoe'.
The Andrew MacDonal Trio returned to the stage and entertained the audience with a great selection of tunes once again. Included in a total of 13 sets in this section were reels, marches, jigs, and waltzes with one of the highlights being a solo from Sarah Jane on the fiddle – 'Colonel MacLean of Ardgour', 'Munlochy Bridge' and 'Barney's Balmoral'. A popular sing-a-long set followed – 'The Kishorn Commandoes' and 'Loch Maree Islands' – before the band rounded off a great evening of music with a fantastic set of jigs.
The turnout at recent months in the club has been rather disappointing and it is hoped that numbers attending will increase in the coming weeks to appreciate the high standard of music being provided by our local musicians and the visiting bands who travel long distances to entertain our audiences. The March club night will feature the Matthew MacLennan Trio from Edinburgh and will be held in the Royal Hotel, Portree, on Thursday, 7th March 2024.
JIM CAMPBELL
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January 2024
Club MC Julia welcomed a rather disappointingly small audience to the New Year and our first Club Night of the year in the Royal Hotel, Portree, where the music commenced with Calum MacAskill on accordion and Charlie Oag on drums playing a lively set of marches followed by the waltz, The Gift of Time, composed by the late Jim MacKay.
Making a most welcome return to the Club was Fox Brendon on the Highland Pipes who played the 2/4 marches – Black Mount Forest and Cameronian Quickstep. Fox's 7 year old son, Kiro, then followed his dad on to the stage with his fiddle to play the Tiree Bridle Song. Keeping it in the Brendon family was the next fiddler to perform, 13 year old Leela, who entertained us with a popular selection – Crossing The Minch, My Home and The Centenary Jewel – a lovely selection by an up and coming star.
Following that we had 9 year old Alexander MacKenzie making his debut at the Club when he played Hector The Hero and Flett From Flotta on his piano accordion, followed by a promise that he would be back next month with his fiddle. Club regular, with his old melodeon, Peter Donnghale, was next to give the audience a few tunes including Mrs Macleod of Raasay. An extremely warm welcome was then given on the surprise return of Emily Matheson on accordion who was home on holiday from University and she set everybody's feet tapping with a Dashing White Sergeant taking us up to Guest Artist Time.
The current all Scotland Senior Accordion Champion, Alan Small, then took to the floor with his faithful Hohner Marino 5 and played a selection of Shetland Reels. Alan included an amazing variety of music during the first half including Blair Douglas Waltzes, the Italian Polka Bon Viso and Pipe Jigs culminating in one of his own compositions for a Boston Two Step, The Knickerbox Glories.
Emily started the second half with another much appreciated performance – a mixture of Swedish and Scottish tunes including a lovely selection of Gaelic Waltzes. MC Julia produced her trusty fiddle and her selection ranged from Calum's Road to the the Shetland tune The Unst Bridal Waltz. Peter also returned to the stage to round off the local players with Amazing Grace and an English Reel.
A warm welcome back then to our guest artist Alan Small as he played The Headlands, The Guizer's March and Dr Morrison's Seven Thistles. It was like a world tour as Alan featured music from France, Germany and Canada together with a Jazz feature as well as some brilliant sets of Jigs and Waltzes and finished up with his own version of the Bluebell Polka and a very lively set of Jigs and Reels. It could be seen by the response of the audience that it had been a very enjoyable evening with a fantastic variety of music played in an extremely capable manner most worthy of a Scottish champion.
The next club function will be on Thursday, 1st February 2024 and will feature the Andrew MacDonald Trio from Fort William.
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December 2023
The December meeting began with the presentation of cheques to three local charities – Skye Crossroads Care, Portree Youth Club and Cram The Van Radio Skye's Christmas Toy Appeal with all the recipients making most appreciative speeches of thanks.
2023 also saw the Club celebrate 40 years since its inception in 1983 and celebratory cakes were cut at the interval and handed out to everyone present including visitors from Melbourne, Australia, who were enjoying a memorable evening.
Local players Calum MacAskill on accordion and Charlie Oag on drums got the music started with Inveresk House followed by some Irish tunes and the seasonal
Welcome Christmas Morning. They were followed on stage by Club regular, 13 year old Leela Brendon on fiddle who played My Home, Portree Bay and the Jig o' Slurs. Her young brother, Kiro, then followed Leela with his fiddle with a lovely rendition of Jingle Bells.
It was then the turn of Club Chair, Julia, to entertain with a selection on fiddle which included Lochanside and Hector The Hero. A special welcome then to visitor, Nick Mackay from Inverness, on his 5 row button box, accompanied by Graeme Mackay and they played a great selection of music including some favourites written by Nick's brother, the late Jim Mackay, including Memories of Mary Simpson.
Back to the fiddle when young local player Mairidhanne MacKenzie took the floor accompanied by Gillian Stevenson with some fine tunes including Mouse in the Kitchen and Silent Night. Following Mairidhanne was popular longstanding Club member, Wendy Riva, who gave her usual polished performance on fiddle ending with a selection of singalong Christmas Carols.
It was now time for our Guest Band – the Graeme Mackay Trio – to take the stage – Graeme on 3 row button box, Gillian Stevenson on fiddle and Iain Anderson on drums -
and they provided a fantastic selection of music commencing with Sandy's Shetland Stag Week and included several tunes composed by Graeme's grandad the late Jim Mackay and the first half ended with Jim Mackay's Compliments to Andy Ross and Jimmy Fraser's Farewell to Queensgate.
The normal break for tea and sandwiches was followed by the raffle and then Julia took on the role of auctioneer to sell a beautiful Harris Tweed shopping bag made and donated to the Club by Irene MacAskill, the wife of our accordionist Calum. This produced a hive of activity with eager bidders raising a grand sum for Club funds.
The entire second half of the evening was devoted to our popular visiting band and they certainly did not disappoint the audience as they played an amazing selection of 18 sets of music. The variety comprised a number of Graeme's own compositions including the Cabin Ceilidh Jig, Calum Keeps Coming of Age and the Best Present in the World. Also featured was the beautiful waltz – The Gift of Time – one of the last compositions of Jim Mackay. The tempo swiftly changed with an Argentine Tango and the Bluebell Polka before the band were encouraged to provide an encore with Kenny Gillies of Portnalong.
An excellent evening of a vast range of musical talent ended up with everyone being wished all the best for the festive season with a reminder that Alan Small will be guest artist on Thursday, 4 January 2024.
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November 2023
Our November meeting started with a set of lively 4/4 marches and waltzes played by local trio, Calum MacAskill (accordion), Stevie Bremner (guitar) and Charlie Oag (drums). Next on stage and making his debut was 7 year old Kiro Brendon who treated us to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on his fiddle – definitely a star in the making! Keeping things in the family sister Leela Brendon gave us a fine fiddle selection before she was joined by Carina Campbell, making a most welcome return to the club, to provide a fiddle duet including a slow air, waltz and the jig Murdo MacKenzie of Torridon.
Our next accordionist of the night was Peter Donnghale on his 2 row button box and he was followed by Carina Campbell on fiddle with a selection including the tunes Portree Bay and Angus MacKinnon. It was time then to welcome a visitor to the Club, Ian Morrison from Wishaw, who played two sets of lovely waltzes on his accordion.
Welcome now our guests for the evening, the Robert Nairn Duo. Robert played his 3 row Button Box accompanied by Ewen Henderson on drums and they commenced with a great set of 2/4 marches followed by Pipe Jigs and Gaelic Waltzes before Robert picked up his melodeon, and Ewen the piano accordion, for some more lively tunes.
After the interval our MC, Julia took over on her fiddle to play a variety of tunes including the beautiful Hills of Lorne. Julia was followed by long time member, Wendy Riva, who gave her usual competent selection of tunes on the fiddle leading up to another selection from the Club band of Calum, Stevie and Charlie, complemented by Carina on fiddle, who provided us with a set of 2/4 marches including a fine composition by Calum for his wife, Irene.
It was then time for our guests Robert and Ewen to take the floor and what a selection they played in a total of 13 sets ranging from Irish Jigs through marches, boston two steps, schottisches, Gaelic waltzes and reels and brought the evening to a rousing climax with a set of jigs for an Orcadian Strip the Willow. The band were thanked and wished a safe journey home as they set off down the road.
Next month's guests will be the Graeme Mackay Trio.
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October 2023
Our first meeting of the new season was held on Thursday 5th October 2023 in the Royal Hotel, Portree. MC Julia Rudram welcomed everybody and invited local trio of Calum MacAskill (accordion), Stevie Bremner (guitar) and Charlie Oag (drums) to start off the music. They played a great set of tunes including the “Patchwork Polka”. Next up was young fiddler Leela Brendon followed by a surprise visit from accordionist Emily Matheson. MC Julia then gave us several solo sets on her fiddle and next it was Peter Donnghale’s turn to entertain us with his 2 row button key accordion. Last local player to take to the stage was fiddler Wendy Riva whose set included the popular tune “Highland Cathedral”.
It was soon time to welcome our guest band for the evening, Marian Anderson’s Scottish Dance Band. Marian was joined on stage with Graeme Munro on 2nd accordion, Shauna Flockhart on keyboard and Max Ketchin on drums. They entertained the audience with some brilliant jigs, reels, waltzes, etc. A great night of music enjoyed by everyone!
On Thursday 2nd November the Club look forward to an evening with the Robert Nairn Trio.
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May 2023
There was a large turnout at the final meeting of this session which began on a sad note with a tribute to Club member, John Grundy, who had passed away suddenly on 17 April. John had been our regular contributor for many years to Box and Fiddle Magazine.
Music commenced with local trio – Calum MacAskill (accordion), Stevie Bremner (guitar) and Charlie Oag (drums) - featuring some 2/4 marches and the Black Mask Waltz. Twelve year old, Leela Brendon followed with a nice selection on the fiddle before picking up her accordion and playing it in public for the first time. Well known visitor, Dennis Hurst from Munlochy, then took to the stage with a lively selection on his accordion followed by Club regular, Wendy Riva on the fiddle with a mix of fine tunes.
It was now time for the guest band, the Susie Simpson Trio, comprising Susie on lead accordion Jock Fraser on second accordion and Gillian Stevenson on fiddle, to take the floor and they played an excellent selection including 6/8 marches, the Strathspey Autumn in Appin and a lively set of reels in the first half.
The second period started with a stramash of local players Calum, Wendy, Stevie, Julia and Charlie which was followed by Peter Donnghale on 2 row button key accompanied by Pat Kane from New York State on fiddle ending with Pat singing 'Oh! Susanna'. Our Club chairperson, Julia then gave a selection on her fiddle before handing over to Susie and her band. What followed was some fantastic music which included a set of the late Addie Harper's compositions, two of Susie's self penned Two Steps and eventually finished up with a set of Crackin' Reels. A brilliant evening of music much enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience.
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April 2023
The fine spring weather in Portree encouraged a good turnout of players and audience to the April meeting of Skye Accordion and Fiddle Club in Portree's Royal Hotel on the first Thursday of the month. Music was quickly on the agenda from three local musicians, Calum MacAskill on piano accordion, Steve Bremner on guitar and Charlie Oag on drums who soon had feet tapping to their lively selection. Fiddle music from Leela Brendon and Peggi Ferguson kept the entertainment going and they were followed by first time visitors calling themselves Ester and Iseabail's Kitchen Ceilidh who dished out a super helping of traditional music on accordion and fiddle which was greatly appreciated by their audience. To round off the first half of the evening Wendy Riva played a selection to her customary high standard, staying on stage to accompany Club mc Julia Rudram who sang the ever popular "Dark Island".
It was soon guest artist time and the audience were eagerly awaiting the performance of Susan McFadyen and her Ceilidh Band. They were not to be disappointed as the trio immediately launched into a vibrant set of well known tunes which continued for the rest of the night. The lively band were led on accordion by Susan McFadyen, with Ann Mitchell on fiddle and Marissa Bryce on piano. A formidable trio!
On Thursday 4th May the Club look forward to an evening with The Susie Simpson Band.
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