A celebrated Scottish fiddle group has marked its 45th anniversary with a sold-out hometown concert at the weekend, reflecting on more than four decades of music-making in the North East.
The Fochabers Fiddlers, or Auld Fiddlers as they are fondly called locally, put on a stirring show at the town’s Institute on Saturday night.
Much-loved local musicians including Colin Campbell and Calum Stewart took to the stage over the course of the evening.
The group played a plethora of much-loved tunes from their repertoire and revisited stand-out moments and memories from across their remarkable history.
The village of Fochabers has become known for its rich fiddle music tradition, thanks in great part to the Fochabers Fiddlers.
The group is closely associated with local contemporary Celtic music festival Speyfest, which transforms the local playing fields into a tented village and vibrant hub of music, culture and community spirit each July. The night raised more than £4,000 for the staging of the community-led event.
Tributes were also paid on the night to the late local fiddle maker Charlie Armour, who created the finest fiddles in the region played and cherished by most members of the group, as well as Speyfest founder and Fochabers Fiddlers member James M Alexander.
Speyfest Chair and Fochabers Fiddler member Ashleigh Macgregor said: “We enjoyed such an unforgettable evening celebrating the Fochabers Fiddlers’ 45th anniversary. The celebratory energy in the room and the warmth from everyone who attended truly made it a night to remember. We are so grateful for the incredible support from the local community and all those who have been part of our journey over the years. This milestone really reflects the love for fiddle music in Fochabers and we’re excited to carry this legacy forward for many more years to come.”
Host Chris Wiles said: “It was a truly special occasion to have generations of fiddlers return home to celebrate 45 years of nurturing and developing young talent to entertain at home and all over the world. The atmosphere backstage was a heady mix of youth club, wedding dance and family reunion and the incredible performance was peppered with stories and tales of gigs, concerts, travels and characters, but mainly of lasting friendship.
“There was lots of love and affection shared for all of the Fochabers Fiddlers family who’ve funded, transported, supported and nurtured so many talented musicians and musical adventures over the years. The stage could have been twice the size and still not have been big enough with so many of the performers now making a living from their music, and most others still performing regularly so many years after their generation passed through their turn in ‘the Fiddlers’. Truly an institution that has launched a thousand memories.
“Then of course there was the music itself – beautiful, emotional and delicate tunes followed by raucous and wild reels and jigs. The reaction from the packed out Institute in Fochabers confirmed that the legend and legacy of the Fochabers Fiddlers remains powerfully held in the village’s DNA. Let’s do it again soon!”
Local concert goer Mora Anderson said: “What a great concert! What a talent on that stage tonight! It looked as if they were having a party on the stage and we were invited to join in.”
Speyfest will take place in Fochabers from 25th – 27th July 2025. Visit www.speyfest.com.
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