Who are we?

We are an informal group of amateur musicians, based in Aberdeenshire, who play traditional and contemporary music in the style of the Strathspey and Reel Societies of this part of Scotland.

Alford Fiddlers were formed in September 2004 following a meeting which discussed the need for such a group based in Alford to serve the Alford, Strathdon, Lumsden, Tarland, Lumphanan, Midmar, Sauchen and Monymusk areas.

Members travel from far and wide as well as from the immediate area... we even have one member from Israel who joins us when he is visiting relatives in the area.

The group was led initially by Martin Conn (ex Gordonaire Ceilidh Band), an experienced accordion player. Due to other commitments, Martin has reluctantly stepped down as leader for the time being, and we are now led by a very experienced fiddler, Hugh Robertson, who is well known in the traditional music scene here in the North East of Scotland.

We play and perform traditional music from the North East of Scotland and further afield. Hugh has a particular passion for Cape Breton fiddle music, and many of our tunes are in that style. We welcome all ages and abilities, our youngest member is twelve, our oldest, over eighty. We have taken near beginners through to performance standard through mutual support in an environment of ensemble playing, and members find it very fulfilling to participate (and apparently our audiences have also enjoyed what we do... always a bonus!)

We are keen to recruit new members. Currently we have roughly equal numbers of accordionists and fiddle players, with a keyboard player and a guitarist, and there is always a need for new fiddlers, and possibly a cellist or double bass player too. We are a friendly and supportive group who practise on

• Wednesday evening
• from 7.30pm
• at Alford Heritage Centre, Mart Road, Alford

There is no charge for membership or attendance (although members usually give a small donation to the Heritage Centre to cover heating and lighting). Musicians are welcome for the music and the banter!

Visiting musicians are also welcome to drop by (don't be shy to bring an instrument!).

Alford and the Howe of Alford We count ourselves as being very lucky to be able to make music amongst such glorious scenery. This photograph, taken from Kist Hill, Whitehouse, shows Alford in the middle distance, and beyond, the upper Don Valley and surrounding hills.	Where we practice.....follow the A944.....
...and turn off the main street in Alford.....	...into Mart Road and here we are....
No this is not the keyboard we use! A rather nice harmonium, one of the many exhibits in the Heritage Centre (and it still works), but not the keyboard we use as accompaniment.	Fiddle at the ready! Photograph courtesy of Fiona Bruce.

We are extremely grateful to those who have helped our group in the past (Royal Bank of Scotland, Alford; The Co-Op, Alford; Grampian Transport Museum; Alford Railway Museum) and at present (Alford Heritage Centre).

We are available to play for charities and fund raising events, please contact us via the feedback page.

Our new tune, The Alford Fiddlers......