2026 Performers
Ian Hutson and his Scottish Dance Band
Friday Night Ceilidh and Reid’s Bar Accordion & Fiddle Club
Ian was brought up in East Lothian and at the age of 6 he started accordion lessons with Carol Wightman in Dunbar. Carol was a former pupil of John Leslie. His first small accordion was red, and a McEwan’s Export polythene bag would have to work for a case. At that time, Ian was the youngest member of the John Leslie Accordion Orchestra. Carol and John guided Ian through the grades, at the same time as preparing him to compete at Musselburgh and Perth Festivals.
Ian, age 16, started to attend the Sunday night music sessions at the West Barns Inn and not long after that the West Barns Accordion and Fiddle club was formed. It was here he was made aware and met some of the leading figures in the Scottish Dance Band scene, John Ellis, Iain McPhail, Bill Black, Jimmy Blue to name but a few.
His dad Dennis played the fiddle and double bass and he had an incredible record collection that Ian had access to, from Andrew Rankine to Max Houliston, Ian Powrie to Angus Fitchet and of course Jimmy Shand. But the record that was almost played to destruction in the Hutson household was of course “A Measure of Scotch” featuring the one and only Jim Johnstone and his Band. This LP has been responsible for influencing most of the Scottish Dance Band leaders that are around today.
Ian started playing second accordion and piano with a few bands travelling up and down the country. Gordon Clark, Andrew Knight and the West Telferton Band, Roger Dobson and the fife born Donaldson brothers. Gary Donaldson and Ian became great friends through the music scene, and Gary ended up being Best Man at his wedding.
During the 90’s Ian was immensely privileged to be asked to play in Jim Johnstone’s band for a short period. He learned a huge amount from Jim. Great times indeed! Jim’s gigs at the time consisted of dances, concerts, accordion clubs, BBC broadcasts, live radio broadcasts and Jamie’s Scottish Evening in Edinburgh.
In the early 2000’s Ian formed his own band and recorded studio and live dance CD’s and also played at various dances throughout the country. From Shetland to Overseas for various St Andrews Balls. They have also recorded several BBC studio and live broadcasts.
Village hall dances were what they enjoyed the best, but unfortunately these seem to have fallen out of fashion. Maybe in years to come, they will come back for us all to enjoy again. Everything moves in circles, they say!
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the 77th Perth Accordion and Fiddle Festival.
Ian and his band will be performing on Friday night (20.00-24.00 hrs) & Saturday afternoon (13.30-16.00 hrs)
Paul Chamberlain
Classical Accordion Recital
Paul released his debut solo album, Classical Accordion, in 2011, followed by Accordion Sensations in 2014. Throughout his career he has collaborated with a wide range of acclaimed artists and ensembles, including Ute Lemper, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Paragon Ensemble, Scottish Opera Connect Orchestra, and London Concertante. He is also a founding member of the Scottish Tango Ensemble and performs regularly alongside HotScotch fiddler Michael Haywood in the duo Chamberlain & Haywood.
As founder and band leader of HotScotch, Paul has guided the band since its formation in 2006. In addition to performing, he is a sought-after teacher of accordion and piano, teaches accordion at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh, and serves as the specialist external examiner for accordion at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Paul Chamberlain will be performing on Saturday 31st October 2026 in the Grand Finale Concert.
Charlie McKerron & Tim Edey
Fiddle & Guitar Recital
Charlie has appeared regularly on screen and television throughout his career with Capercaillie and as a soloist with highlights being “Rob Roy”, “Zip n’ Zoo”, BBC Scotland’s “The Songs of the 45” and an appearance on the first series of “Transatlantic Sessions”.
As well as touring with Session A9 and Capercaillie , Charlie has worked with Zakir Hussain , and featured in Dougie Maclean’s Perthshire Amber, joined Celtic Fiddle Festival. Most recently he has been out on the road with Charlie Mckerron and friends featuring Ross Ainsle, Tim Edey and Marc Clement and has made regular appearances with the Grit Orchestra.
Tim Edey a double BBC Musician of the year BBC ALBA/Scotland Best Traditional musician 2020, BBC Radio Two Musician of the year 2012 (BBC R2 FOLK AWARDS)
Tim has toured the world and recorded with most of the major names in Celtic/Contemporary roots music including; The Chieftains, Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Ross Ainslie, Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy, Altan, Capercaillie, Brendan Power, Michael McGoldrick, Seamus Begley, Dougie Maclean, Kevin Burke, Liam O’Maonlai, The Barra MacNeills, JP Cormier, Shaun Davey, Session A9, Lunasa, Vinnie Kilduff , Mary Black, Session A9, Julie Fowlis, Frankie Gavin to name but a few…
” ferocious passion and a beautiful tenderness, sensitivity, respect, understanding & love perpetually shines out through the music of virtuoso musician Tim Edey.”
SHARON SHANNON
Charlie McKerron and Tim Edey will be performing on Saturday 31st October 2026 in the Grand Finale Concert.
Grand Finale Peformer 2026
Michael Philip & the Chairman’s Committee Scottish Dance Band
Scottish Dance Band Recital
In my first year as chairman, I have been asked to put together a very special band that will include members of the Perth Festival Committee. It will be a pleasure to play alongside my fellow musicians and friends of many years. The line up will be as follows: Myself (Lead Accordion) Margaret Robertson MBE (Fiddle) Tom Orr (Piano/Bass) Robert Black (2nd Accordion) and our resident drummer for the day, Gordon Smith.
I am very much looking forward to having a tune with these musicians at the Grand Finale Concert and I am also delighted to have been given the opportunity as chairman to continue the growing success of the festival. Good luck to all the competitors and I sincerely hope you all have a great weekend.
Michael Philip and the Chairman’s Committee Scottish Dance Band will be performing on Saturday 31st October 2026 in the Grand Finale Concert.