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I'm a nineteen year-old fiddler from Kirkwall in Orkney, and have been playing since I was eight, continuing to do so in Glasgow, where I'm currently studying for a degree in marketing and economics at the University of Strathclyde.A great-grandson of the late James (Jimmy) Craigie of Rousay in Orkney, I was introduced to the instrument at Glaitness Primary School by Ian McKune and went on to be taught by Seona Dunsmuir and latterly Douglas Montgomery (of Saltfishforty and Lazy Boy Chair).
At the age of 13 I became one of the youngest members of Kirkwall Grammar School's Hadhirgaan, and went on to record and perform with the group at many prestigious events and festivals, including the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004, the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Highlands and Islands Councils and Celtic Connections 2006, as well as numerous performances at the Orkney Folk Festivals and St Magnus Festivals. I was also lucky enough to be a member the group when they toured Canada in 2005 alongside the Kirkwall Grammar School Theatre Company.In 1998 I was one of the first pupils of the famously successful Orkney Traditional Music Project. In 2001 and 2006 I travelled to Aberdeen with the project, representing Orkney at the North Atlantic Fiddle Conventions, and in 2003 the project also represented Scotland at the Yn Chruinnaght festival in Ramsey on the Isle of Man. Also in 2003, at the age of 15, I became their youngest tutor - teaching alongside those who had taught me previously, including Jean Leonard and Tommy Mainland as well as various visiting tutors at summer schools, including Paul Anderson, Gordon Gunn, Jennifer Wrigley and Douglas Montgomery.
To date the highlight and proudest moment of my musical career was undoubtedly on November 4, 2004, where I performed to a sellout audience of 1000 in the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall at the memorial concert for my uncle, Jim Sinclair, alongside Douglas Montgomery.
Whenever I'm at home in Orkney I regularly play in the Sunday night "bothy" session alongside many great Orkney and visiting musicians. Having now relocated to Glasgow for seven or eight months a year, though, I am currently looking to expand my musical horizons and can usually be found in the Ben Nevis on Argyle Street!
I'm available to perform, teach or lead sessions....drop me a line if you're interested!