A Louth Lilt

I went to the Famous Focharberians Garden before getting the bus. On the way, I met a group on their way to their church service who recognised me and said hello. While waiting in the village square for the bus, Gordon Christie from the Institute came over to say goodbye. He was preparing to turn on the village fountain and take down the Christmas lights. Once on the bus, I allowed my creative juices to work on some ideas I had thought about or sketched over the preceding day

This morning, I met Fochabers Fiddle Week organiser Jack Smedley for a chat at the Bracken’s B&B before heading up to the Institute. At the concert the previous night, one of the young fiddlers, who had received the Fochabers Fiddle at Speyfest in 2016, noted the importance he placed on the workshops, allowing the young musicians to add tunes to the local repertoire. The repertoire of the Fochabers Fiddlers group has remained largely consistent, which allows returning fiddler

After another 'set you up for the day' breakfast from Janet, I got to the Fochabers Public Institute good and early and felt included as the tutors prepared for the day, deciding on the format of the classes and also the sets that they would play together for tonight’s concert. Mhairi Marwick welcomed me into her workshop first that morning. We learned the reel ‘The Dashing White Eejit’ and a strathspey ‘Lime Hill’ by ear. Unfamiliar with the first tune, a composition by Alan

A shower and a Scottish breakfast to start the day. Janet was unsure whether or not to include the haggis on the first morning but promised to get some from the local co-op as I didn’t object. The Fochabers Folk Museum and Heritage Centre is located just across the road from her house but unfortunately there was a sign on the door indicating that their opening for the season had to be delayed due to the problems with the heating. However when a lady entered ahead of me I took