Clydesdale Accordion & Fiddle Club

20/10/2026

A great turnout at the club on Sunday, with some superb playing from our local musicians. To mark the club's 10th anniversary, our guest band was Alasdair Maccuish and Friends. Here's a short taster of Sunday's music.

Thanks to everyone who came along and special thanks to those who played. Here's to the next 10 years.

19/10/2026

SUNDAY 18th OCTOBER 2026
10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL MEETING
GUEST ARTIST • ALASDAIR MACCUISH & FRIENDS
Highlights: Guest Artist – Alasdair Maccuish & Friends • Club Supporter of the Year presentation • Standing-room-only celebration • New 10th anniversary logo

Welcome
A very special meeting was held at our usual venue, St Mary’s Club Rooms in Lanark, on Sunday 18 October 2026, as members, musicians and supporters gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Clydesdale Accordion & Fiddle Club. With a packed room and a real sense of occasion from the outset, the afternoon offered a wonderful opportunity to reflect on everything the club has achieved during its first decade.
The club began in September 2016, when Alasdair MacCuish and his Black Rose Ceilidh Band filled one of the Guest Artist spots at our opening meeting. We were therefore delighted when Alasdair agreed to return for this milestone occasion. His appearance created a fitting link between the club’s very first gathering and its 10th anniversary, while reminding everyone of the high standard of traditional music that has remained at the heart of meetings throughout the years.

🐴10th Anniversary Logo
To mark ten years of music, friendship and support, the club also unveiled its new 10th anniversary logo. The commemorative design brings together the accordion and fiddle at the heart of the club, a distinctive Clydesdale horse motif and the words “Ten Years of Music” in a proud visual celebration of the club’s first decade. It provides a lasting reminder of this important anniversary and of the musicians, helpers and loyal supporters who have all contributed to the club’s story.

🎻🎹Guest Artists
Our Guest Artists on this special afternoon were Alasdair MacCuish and Friends: Alasdair on lead accordion, Marie Fielding on fiddle, Tom Orr on second accordion, Craig Paton on piano and Fraser MacInnes on drums. Their return provided the perfect centrepiece for an afternoon celebrating the club’s history and the music that has brought patrons and players together over the past ten years. The combination of accordions, fiddle, piano and drums gave the programme a rich and lively sound, with each musician contributing to an accomplished and thoroughly enjoyable performance. For long-standing supporters, it was particularly special to welcome Alasdair back to the club on such an important occasion. Compere Iain Cathcart commenting that Alasdair’s music has helped to inspire a generation of young accordionists, which was visible from the plethora of talent who came along to hear the band and demonstrate their own individual techniques and styles which clearly originated from the Maccuish sound.
Each of the guest band members added musicality, rhythm, taste and an undoubted understanding of the music and the sound that Alasdair has honed for over 30 years as a bandleader.

🪗🎹🥁🎻Supporting Musicians
It was standing room only, with a large audience turning out to welcome back Alasdair MacCuish and Friends. The full room created a warm, celebratory atmosphere and showed just how much affection there is for the club and its music. The afternoon was made even more memorable by a group of young accordionists, who entertained during the club players’ part of the programme and brought an additional sense of energy to the anniversary gathering. We were delighted to welcome a tremendous line-up of supporting club players: David Kennedy, Adam Gibb, Andrew Gibb, Elizabeth Cathcart, Robert Geurts, Iain Anderson, Fiona Paul, Tom Hope, Billy Hutton, Fin Hope, Jamie Young, Duncan Hutchison, Tom Killean, Alex Lyall, Allan Smith, John Burns, Bill Stewart, Xander Orr, Alan Jackson, Iain Murray, James Watson, Keith Lauder and club chairman Iain Cathcart. Their contributions gave the anniversary meeting a genuine club atmosphere and showcased the depth of musical enthusiasm that continues to sustain Clydesdale. With familiar faces joined by younger performers, this part of the programme reflected the welcoming spirit of the club and the pleasure that comes from sharing music across generations.

🍰Club Supporter of the Year
Before the second half commenced, last season’s Club Supporter of the Year, Jenny Campbell, was presented with her NAAFC certificate by Shirley and Iain Cathcart. The presentation recognised Jenny’s unwavering support of the club, including the preparation of her wonderful home baking and interval refreshments. Her contribution is a fine example of the many practical acts of kindness that help each meeting run smoothly and make everyone feel welcome. The presentation was warmly received and added another special moment to the anniversary programme.

🎻🎹Finale
The anniversary programme continued in fine style, bringing a memorable afternoon of music and celebration to a fitting close. From the returning Guest Artists and the many supporting players to the presentation and unveiling of the anniversary logo, the meeting captured the friendship, commitment and shared enjoyment that have shaped the club over the past decade. It was a wonderful way for members, musicians and supporters to celebrate ten successful years together, and the standing-room-only audience made the occasion feel all the more significant.

🙏🏻Thanks
Our thanks go to Jennifer and Trisha, the friendly bar staff who have been behind the bar for almost every meeting during the club’s first ten years. Their long-standing help and warm welcome have been greatly appreciated throughout that time. We also extend our sincere thanks to everyone who performed, helped with the arrangements, prepared refreshments or simply came along to support the celebration. Special mention goes to Robert & Jenny Campbell, Hazel Orr, Allan Smith and of course Shirley Cathcart who ensured all supporting musicians received their opportunity to play lead or as accompanist to others. The continuing success of the club is built on that generous team effort, and the 10th anniversary meeting was a proud reflection of it.

📅Save the Date
Next month, the club looks forward to welcoming Alan Gardiner and his Trio to entertain us on Sunday 15th November 2026. Further details will be shared through the club’s usual social media channels.

18/10/2026

18/10/2026

Anyone attending Clydesdale Accordion & Fiddle club today please note that there are roadworks on the Garrion Bridge.

27/04/2026

SUNDAY 19th APRIL 2026
GUEST ARTIST • GRAHAM MACKENZIE & RORY MATHESON

Highlights: Guest Artist – Graham Mackenzie & Rory Matheson • Prize quiz winners • End-of-season presentation • 10th Anniversary meeting on 18th October 2026

Welcome
The final meeting of the 2025/26 season took place at our usual venue of the St Mary’s Club Rooms in Lanark on Sunday 19th April 2026.

🎻🎹Guest Artists
As is now tradition, the meeting opened with our Guest Artists, Mackenzie and Rory Matheson. Perhaps not so well known to our patrons, these two virtuoso musicians are possibly more widely known within the world of Scottish folk music than the Accordion and Fiddle Club scene.

Their performance on the day was absolutely flawless with Graham on fiddle and Rory playing his unique modern interpretation of innovative piano accompaniment which he has become so widely respected for. Both these young men have their roots in the Highlands; Graham being brought up in an extremely musical family in Inverness and Rory, initially a self-taught accordionist from Drumbeg in Assynt. Both hugely modest musicians now live in Glasgow to be closer to the vibrant music scene where they both make their living. More of their performance later.

🪗🎹🥁🎻Supporting Musicians
We were pleased to welcome back local and visiting players from far and near, each providing most enjoyable selections which went down well with the audience. Newby Park was the furthest travelled having motored up from Cumbria south of the border. Two-time NAAFC Club Supporter of the year nominee Alex Lyall from Alloa came to the rescue by bringing his drums for himself and Billy Hutton from Campsie to accompany the majority of players during the afternoon. A first-time visitor to Clydesdale was Paul Johnston from East Kilbride on accordion who has been visiting several clubs over the last few months up and down the country. Local players included Tom Killean, Elizabeth Cathcart, Fiona Paul, Charlie Kirkpatrick, Marshall Harkness, Margaret Miller all on accordion, and a lovely surprise guest Claire Gullan on fiddle fresh from her recent success as the leader of the winning Trio at the NAAFC Festival in Partick. Fiona also stepping forward to accompany several players on piano.

❓Prize Quiz
Our prize quiz was well received with several winning entries, with club regular Elsie Dickie winning the CD after selecting her own entry from a selection of six correct answers:
Answers:
1. The Current Scottish Accordion Champion is LIAM STEWART.
2. BOBBY CROWE from Balmullo was the pictured accordionist.
3. The NAAFC AGM and Presentation Luncheon is held in DUNDEE.
4. “Step we Gaily, On we go” is a lyric in MHAIRI’S WEDDING or THE LEWIS BRIDAL SONG.
5. ADDIE HARPER SNR was the leader of the Wick Scottish Dance Band.

🎻🎹Finale
Following a large raffle we welcomed Graham and Rory back to entertain us and close our final meeting of the season in style. Their laid-back style bore no resemblance to the fantastic music they produced, mastery of their instruments in such an effortless fashion played with passion, style and virtuosity. Jigs, reels, airs and waltzes were interspersed with pipe music and more than a smattering of Graham’s own melodic compositions. It truly was a treat to hear this polished performance in an intimate almost acoustic setting when they are more frequently to be found playing at festivals and larger auditoriums.

Their final set before their encore totally blew me away. Entitled ‘Scott Scunnered’ three tunes from the Strathspey King were combined with the tricky ‘King Robert the Bruce’ opening the set. Their combined unison playing in the final measure along with the change into reel tempo was something special, and well worthy of a much higher entrance fee. This set I later discovered appears on their debut album ‘Take Six’ as the final track, and worthy of anyone’s £15 alone. Well done boys, please come and visit us any time you are in the Lanark area.

🙏🏻Thanks
We made end-of-season presentation to Jennifer and Trisha behind the bar, together with our loyal helpers, Robert & Jenny Campbell, and Hazel Orr by way of our appreciation for all that they do for Clydesdale Club during the entire season.

📅Save the Date
We look forward to celebrating our 10th Anniversary meeting after the Summer which will be held in our usual venue on 18th October 2026, details of that special event will be promoted through our usual social network channels.

27/04/2026

SUNDAY 15th MARCH 2026
GUEST ARTIST - Hjaltibonhoga

By 1.45pm St Mary’s Club Rooms were full to the gunwales, mainly as a result of a bus-load of fiddlers from Shetland and beyond arriving mid-way through their spring tour. We did wonder if there had been a miscommunication to our venue as local rumours abounded of an influx of musicians, dressed all in black, being the first customers at opening time at the Clydesdale Inn, a five-minute walk down Lanark High Street.

The club had been in correspondence with Margaret Robertson MBE for over a year in planning this visit, and the logistical challenges of bringing by far the largest group of musicians to be guest artists was now upon us. We needn’t have worried, HJALTIBONHOGA were in town. www.hjalti.com

They arrived in plenty of time, immaculately turned out, in good spirits, hungry, and enthusiastic to be joining us for the afternoon, and we managed to squeeze them all around our extended guest artist table.

In a change to our normal format, we were entertained in the first half by local and visiting players. First onto the stage were regular supporters who travel cross country from Alnwick in Northumberland, Joan Kirk and Mungo Riddle on accordions. Fiona Paul was up next treating us to her usual polished performances with well thought out arrangements and harmonies. Marshall Harkness on his Ranco accordion played next before Fin Hope almost brought the roof off with a couple of sets, cheered on by an obvious fan club amongst our guest players. Bill Stewart was next to play playing some well-known Scottish melodies. Our next two ladies fresh from their competition successes at the NAAFC’s Partick Festival the previous week played their winning sets for us, namely, Elizabeth Cathcart (4/4 Marches) and Nicola Braid (Own Composition). Neil MacMillan on accordion with June Meikle on fiddle gave us some wholesome traditional tunes before we closed the first half’s entertainment with selections from our very own Allan Smith of Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band fame, and the irrepressible Charlie Kirkpatrick from Giffnock. Drumming duties on the afternoon were carried out by Alex Lyall, Tom Hope and Billy Hutton.

This month our prize quiz had a Shetland theme to it given the origins of our Guest Artists.
1. ALY BAIN was the fiddle player pictured on screen.
2. The largest town in Shetland is LERWICK.
3. PARTICK BURGH HALLS was the venue of the 52nd NAAFC Festival last weekend.
4. How many fiddle players played with Hjaltibonhoga in today’s guest artist – THIRTY ONE.
5. The name of the renowned Dance Band containing Jim Halcrow, Willie Hunter & Ronnie Cooper was THE HAMEFARERS.

And so to our Guest Artists – Hjaltibonhoga comprising thirty one fiddle players (at the last count), accompanied by leader Margaret Robertson MBE, Duncan Christie, Ryan Couper, Callum and Brian Cruickshank providing a solid and well rehearsed rhythm section on piano, drums, guitar, accordion and bass respectively.

Hjalti took over the entire second half of the club meeting and performed two 45 minute spots of the very highest quality traditional music. Almost every piece performed on the day had a connection to the group’s native Shetland Isles, be that jigs, reels, airs, marches or waltzes, with several compositions from the leader’s pen. One such tune was a beautiful air entitled ‘Still Water’ for which the group were joined by Islay Cathcart on fiddle for this one item.

The line-up consisted members of the Hjalti community from all airts and pairts of the country, with players from Orkney, the North-East, Fife, even some fiddlers who had travelled from New Zealand to be part of the tour, and of course a core group of Shetlanders, each with their own individual playing style forged into an extremely powerful, yet sympathetic at times, orchestral group. It really was a privilege to hear this ensemble in such an intimate acoustic environment. The enjoyment of the music was evident on the smiles of the performers, and equally so on the faces of the audience lucky enough to be in attendance on that afternoon.
Several members of the group were given the opportunity to shine with solo or leading pieces, stepping forward to lead or showcase their musical talents.

On behalf of Clydesdale Accordion & Fiddle Club we would like to wholeheartedly thank Margaret and her amazing group for their wonderful performance and friendliness during their visit and wish them every success for their future ventures, at home in the UK, or in an ambassadorial capacity when asked to perform abroad.
We won’t forget this afternoon in a long time!

Our guest artist for our final meeting of the season will be two young Highland gentlemen now residing in Glasgow, fiddle sensation GRAHAM MACKENZIE accompanied by the wonderful RORY MATHESON on piano. www.grahammackenziemusic.com

The club starts as usual at 2pm on Sunday 19th April 2026 in St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark. We look forward to welcoming a large crowd to close our 10th season in style.