I think this was the first tune I wrote on gaita, the bagpipe from Galicia in north west Spain, it’s certainly the first I have written down.
Stalker Castle – Slip Reel?
Here’s an interesting wee tune from The Piper’s Assistant, Published by Glen Bagpipe Makers in 1845 and edited by John McLachlan.
Mrs Catherine McNally of Glenburn
A slow jig named after my paternal grandmother, Catherine McNally (nee McCormick) of Glenburn in Paisley.
Duncan’s Boots
This reel was written in the summer of 1997 after a memorable time at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye during the fiddle and step dance week.
Captain Service’s Trip to Whitehead
Here’s a wee march that I wrote in 1997 and dedicated to Campbell Service, or Paddy as he was known around Oban.
The Tempting Seamstress
This tune was written back in 1996 when I had nimble fingers due to all the busking.
Fitas de António
This tune has been floating about my head for a month or two. I wasn’t sure if it was a Portuguese tune that I had heard somewhere or a figment…
The Woodside Reel
The session scene in Oban has used a number of different venues throughout my time as a participant. For a while in the mid 1990s the main weekly session was…
Lisa Cronin’s Jig
Another tune from 1995. This jig was written for my girlfriend at the time, Lisa Cronin of Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. Like many young traditional musicians I had discovered syncopation…
The Toffee Works – Lusty in Carnac
Around 10 years ago some pals and I put together an Anglo/Scots band to try and realise some musical ideas we had been thinking of for a while. We named…