Blazin' Fiddles

Blazin' Fiddles are a contemporary Scottish fiddle band from the Highlands and Islands. They formed in 1998 to showcase the Highlands and Islands' distinct regional fiddle styles. The band have a number of awards, including; the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, Live Act, Album and most recently Folk Band of the Year 2013/14. Their records are released on their own indie Blazin' Records label.

History

As part of the year of Highland Culture in 1998 the band had originally come together to put on a one-off tour to showcase the various fiddle styles of the Highlands and Islands.^[1] Their name makes reference to the burning of fiddles that was done by the Church in parts of Scotland in the 19th-century.^[2]^[3] They were awarded best live act at the Scots Trad music awards in 2004.^[4]

Of the original line-up, Aidan O'Rourke and Marc Clement left in 2009, then Catriona Macdonald departed from the band in autumn 2010.^[5] In 2013 the band won Scottish folk band of the year at the MG ALBA Scot Trad Awards.^[6]

The album "Six" was final recording that features Iain MacFarlane and Allan Henderson, who were both founder members of Blazin' Fiddles.^[7]

Current line-up

Bruce MacGregor from Inverness on fiddle.
Kristan Harvey from Orkney on fiddle.
Rua Macmillan from Nairn on fiddle.
Jenna Reid from Shetland on fiddle.^[8]
Anna Massie from Fortrose on guitar and fiddle.
Angus Lyon from Biggar on piano.

Past members

Andy Thorburn from Evanton on piano
Catriona MacDonald from Shetland on fiddle.^[8]
Duncan Chisholm from Kirkhill on fiddle.
Aidan O'Rourke from Oban on fiddle.
Marc Clement from Inverness on guitar.
Allan Henderson from Mallaig on fiddle
Iain MacFarlane from Glenfinnan on fiddle

Discography

Fire On! (2002)
The Old Style (2004)
Magnificent Seven (2005)
Blazin' Fiddles Live (2007)
Thursday Night in the Caley (2011)^[9]
Six (2014)

References