If you would prefer to write to us or call us then we can be contacted at:
Perth Accordion & Fiddle Festival
6 Maryfield Drive
Bo’ness
West Lothian
EH51 9DG
Tel: 07712 890636
Committee Members:
Michael Philipn (Chairman – Tel: 07468-695071)
Peter Bruce
Robert Black
Jane Davidson
Simon Howie
Tom Orr
Margaret Robertson
Scott Nichol
Claire Gullan
Michael Philip
Chairman
Michael has been a member of the Perth Festival Committee since its very beginning, when it was handed over from Bill Wilkie. He won the Scottish Accordion Championship in 2000 and his Scottish Dance Band is popular on the Scottish music scene. As a composer, he has written over 300 compositions, with more than 200 published.
Robert Black
Festival Organiser
Robert has been playing the accordion for 56 years and has won the Scottish Accordion Championship six times. His accompanying skills have seen him perform with many of Scotland’s top artistes. A passionate advocate of the festival, Robert is delighted to welcome competitors and wish everyone well.
Simon Howie
Committee Member
Simon has played the accordion since the age of 7 and was a pupil of Ian Anderson at the Bill Wilkie Music School. A frequent competitor and attendee at the Perth Festival for 51 years, he formed his Scottish dance band with his brother Angus aged 15 and made his first BBC broadcast at 17.
Peter Bruce
Committee Member
Peter received his first accordion aged 6 and moved to Perthshire the following year, where he was taught by Mickie Ainsworth and later Ian Anderson. He won the Junior Scottish title in 1967 and Senior title in 1976, and has since taught several Scottish champions.
Margaret Robertson
Committee Member
Margaret has played traditional fiddle and piano accompaniment for over 50 years. Her passion for traditional music and teaching has seen her inducted into the Hands Up for Trad Hall of Fame and recognised with an MBE for Services to Scottish Music.
Tom Orr
Committee Member
Tom has attended the festival since he began learning accordion. He won the All-Scotland Soloist title in 2004, 2007 and 2016, and credits the festival’s band section with inspiring his continued career in Scottish traditional music. He made his BBC debut at 16.
Scott Nichol
Committee Member
I began playing the piano at the age of six and took up the accordion at ten under the tuition of Keith Dickson. Over the years, I have enjoyed competing at Perth Festival both as a soloist and as part of various trios and bands. More recently, I have had the pleasure of performing at the concert and after festival dance with the Tom Orr Band. The festival is always a great opportunity to catch up with old and new friends, participate in informal sessions and enjoy hearing the next generation of talented musicians coming through.
Claire Gullan
Committee Member
Claire Gullan is a Glasgow based musician, fiddle and violin teacher, originally from Aberdeenshire. Active across Scotland‘s traditional music scene, she performs with leading ceilidh bands and Scottish dance bands, featuring in several Take the Floor broadcasts. Claire has played at major events including the King’s Ghillie Ball with Iain MacPhail, and she leads her own band Ace Thistles Ceilidh Band.
Alongside performing, Claire is a dedicated fiddle and violin teacher. Her community focused approach shines through in projects such as The TAM Sessions and HUFT Strathspey & Reel, where she creates welcoming spaces for musicians to connect, grow, and celebrate Scotland’s rich musical traditions.
Jane Davidson
Committee Member
With over 50 years of experience as a fiddle player, I began my musical journey in Huntly before moving to Banchory at the age of 10. After joining the Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society, I became conductor of the junior section at just 15 years old.
Over the years, I have toured extensively throughout America, Canada, France, Germany, Shetland, Orkney, Ireland, and England, performing and promoting Scottish traditional music. Since 1996, I have been the conductor of the Society’s senior orchestra.
Alongside my performing and conducting, I taught violin at Portlethen Academy and its associated primary schools for 24 years. Now retired from teaching, I continue to enjoy playing and sharing Scottish music, a lifelong passion that has brought me countless memorable experiences and friendships.