Debbie Ross is a highly accomplished fiddler hailing from the town of Alness, where she has been immersed in traditional music and culture since childhood. Originally from Stornoway, Debbie’s family returned to Alness when she was just three years old. It was at the age of nine that Debbie first developed a passion for traditional music, when she began taking violin lessons at school. Her mother had an old fiddle tucked away in the loft, which she used to play during her school days, and when Debbie expressed interest in learning to play, her mother was delighted to oblige.
Debbie was fortunate to have an inspiring violin teacher who would regularly take out his fiddle books at the end of each lesson, leaving Debbie eager to learn more. Her grandfather was also a keen fiddler in his youth, and although he couldn’t read music, Debbie’s granny bought him a number of fiddle books, which she later passed down to Debbie.
Debbie played with the Spectrum String Orchestra in Inverness from the age of eleven, playing classical as well as traditional tunes. She toured with them every summer in France and Germany. The leader of the orchestra proved to be a big influence on Debbie in her teaching career as he was an inspirational teacher who devoted a great deal of time and energy into the orchestra and his students. These are qualities to which Debbie still aspires daily in her teaching.
Debbie’s love for traditional music was ignited by hearing the Capercaillie album on a TV advert for ‘The Blood is Strong’, which her mum promptly ordered on cassette. Debbie played the album constantly and was captivated by the music, aspiring to play her fiddle with the same skill as Charlie McKerron. She listened avidly to the music of Silly Wizard, Aly Bain, Phil Cunningham, and other traditional music greats throughout her formative years.
After leaving school, Debbie went on to study music in Edinburgh before returning north to take up a post as strings instructor in the schools down Loch Ness side. A couple of years later, she transferred to the Tain area where she still teaches.
In 1993, Gizzen Briggs, was started by Kathryn Wilkie, the Principal Teacher of Music in Tain Royal Academy, where Debbie is based. Gizzen Briggs is a community group, based at the school, which aims to promote and encourage interest and participation in traditional music and culture. Debbie has been involved for 30 years, being the leader for the last 20, assisted by Jimmy McLean, Roddy McLean and local musician Dagger Gordon who teaches mandolin and guitar. Rehearsals are weekly throughout the school year and they frequently perform at local ceilidhs and charity events. They have recorded six CDs and held 27 Fiddlers’ Rallies. Over 250 young players have been part of the group with many returning to join in whenever possible.
Guest artistes are a very important part of the rallies, as it gives the group’s young players the opportunity to engage with some of the top musicians in the country. These have included Lauren McColl and Laura Wilkie, both former Gizzen Briggs players, Duncan Chisholm, Hamish Napier, Steve Byrnes, Ross Couper, Innes Watson, Charlie McKerron, Ross Ainslie, Mark Clement, Gordon Gunn, Saltfishforty, Anna Massie and Mairearad Green, Rona Wilkie (also a former Gizzen Briggs player) and Marit Failt ,Sandy Brechin, Ronan Martin, Bruce MacGregor, Christine Hanson, Claire Hastings, Mike Vass, Kari MacLeod (also a former GB player), Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis, Christine Primrose, Alison Kinnaird, Arthur Cormack, Blair Douglas, Ishbel McAskill and Sheena Wellington – a prodigious collection of which the group is very proud!
Gizzen Briggs was recognized for its outstanding contribution to the community, winning “Community Project of the Year” at the Scots Trad Awards in 2013. They have also travelled to Montana, Amsterdam, and various locations throughout Scotland, performing at both the Dunkeld and Edinburgh Fiddle festivals and at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 2004.
When not teaching in school, Debbie assists with Highland Young Musicians trad group ‘Snas”. She was also a fiddle and groupwork tutor for a number of years at the Junior Feis Rois in Ullapool.
Outwith teaching, she has played with the local Celtic rock band Coinneach and currently plays with RhythmnReel.
Debbie has seen significant changes in the traditional music scene since she first became involved, with an increased number of opportunities now available for young people to participate in and enjoy traditional music. As a dedicated music educator, Debbie finds working in Scottish music and culture to be incredibly rewarding, relishing in seeing her pupils progress, improve, and enjoy music as much as she does. Her ultimate goal is to continue inspiring and encouraging young people to love and embrace traditional music, so that it remains a vibrant and cherished part of Scottish culture for generations to come.