On Sunday 22nd March at 3.00pm at Lochgoilhead Village Hall, the Fiddle Workshop presents three stellar traditional musicians.

Brian Ó hEadhra is originally from Dublin in Ireland. He is an accomplished traditional singer in Gaelic and English and an acclaimed song-writer. He has toured the world over with his band Anam playing festivals, concerts, TV & radio. He has also carved out a name for himself as the Gaelic Youth Development Officer for the Highland Region, and as the musical director of the Blas Festival.

Bruce MacGregor, is probably best known locally as the founder and driving force behind the multi award winning Blazin’ Fiddles. He also toured and recorded with the first incarnation of Gaelic supergroup Cliar. Taught by the great Donald Riddell, Bruce’s style encapsulates the finest points of Highland fiddle music – bold and rugged at times, lyrical and beautiful at others.  Bruce MacGregor hails from Inverness and is a player equally at home with the rugged strathspey or the tender slow air, he has combined the qualities of both East and West coast styles in an invigorating and expressive individualistic style. ‘Bruce MacGregor has something of the Midas touch. This has nothing to do with luck, it has everything to do with a deep love and affinity for his music and a unique talent.’ (Fiddle On)

Sandy Brechin is one of the most popular accordionists in the country and is best known for his bands: Burach, The Sandy Brechin Band and his electric cèilidh band The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience. Born and raised in the village of Kirkliston, in West Lothian, Sandy is now based in Edinburgh, where, as well as teaching, recording and performing, he runs his own record company.

This trio blend some of the finest musicianship and singing to come out of Scotland and Ireland in recent years. They first performed together as the House Band at Hebridean Celtic Festival 2006 in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. Individually they perform with their own highly acclaimed acts, but it is as a trio that they are now carving out a high profile. Sue Wilson of the Herald said of their cd: ‘A sparkling array of instrumentals matches drive with delicacy, soul with swing and fire with finesse, potently interspersed with the timeless eloquence of Gaelic song’.

These three seasoned artistes draw on a wealth of tunes and songs from the Gaelic and Scots traditions. Not only are Bruce, Sandy and Brian excellent musicians, but they are also loved by audiences for their witty and entertaining live performance: “Perfectly pitched mix of lively dance tunes, evocative slow airs and Gaelic songs earned both rapt attention and noisy applause, culminating in a fully fledged cèilidh.” (Scotsman)

Tickets: Adults £10, Children 12-18 £5. Booking: Phone 01301 703504. More information on the Fiddle Workshop website.

Reporter: Mark Morpurgo

The photograph above of Brian O hEadhra, Bruce Macgregor and Sandy Brechin is reproduced here with permission.