Fiddle in the Sticks:

The Bow and Strings Reign Supreme in the Shetlands

“In fact, one of his (Willie Hunter Jr’s) better-known tunes is the reel “The Cape Breton Visit to Shetland”, which has been covered by everyone from Alisdair Fraser to Natalie MacMaster.”

Just The Facts

Shetland Music

• It’s hard to find a soul among Shetland’s 22,000 people who can’t handle a musical instrument with competence — well, maybe those under 2.

• The revival of Shetland music owes much to Tom Anderson and the Shetland Fiddle Society. Anderson, a traveling insurance salesman, collected many of the old Shetland tunes on his trips.

• Among Shetland’s best-known exports: Fiddler Aly Bain.

“There was one magical moment when a young woman stepped forward, took the spotlight and started to sing. Her voice resonated through the awe struck silence and immediately you knew you were listening to something very special indeed. That singer’s name was Emily Smith and she is now one of the hottest talents on the Scottish folk scene.”

Just the Facts

Emily Smith

• From Dumfries and Galloway, haunting grounds of Robbie Burns

• One time member of The Unusual Suspects, featured at Celtic Colours

• 2002 Traditional Musician of the Year at Celtic Connections

• With husband Jamie McClennan, released Adoon Winding Nith for the 2009 Scottish Homecoming