 |
Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland Their Folk for Folk Campaign - We all enjoy going along to concerts and listening to some of the wonderfully talented musicians and singers who bring our many and varied traditions alive. However, the TMSA believes that traditional music and song is about more than that. It’s about a shared inheritance and an unspoken need for everyone and anyone to participate in and engage with our own diverse Scottish cultures.
The TMSA believes that grass-roots participation in traditional music and song is fundamental to the culture of Scotland. The few traditional music stars would not have arisen without the core foundation of the many taking part for the love of the genre.
The TMSA’s Folk for Folk campaign was born out of funding cuts to the sector in 2009 and a concern that the grass-roots musical traditions of Scotland were being ignored and under funded.
 |
Lorient Festival - Clutha Folk Group took part in this Festival in 1982. It is the largest Celtic Music Festival in the World and takes place in Lorient Brittany every August. It is a tremendous spectacle and a must to visit!
Tom Johnstone is the Scottish Delegate for this Festival.
 |
Nothing to do with the Football Club [as far as we know anyway] this major Festival has been going on every January for many years.
Clutha Folk Group played in the very first Celtic Connections and again in 2011
 |
Scottish Power Pipe Band- Tom Johnstone has been a member of this band even before it's sponsorship by Scottish Power, joining in 1977 when the band was sponsored by British Caledonian Airways.
The band, who have been sponsored by Scottish Power since 1989, are one of the world's leading grade 1 pipe bands having featured as a regular prizewinner in all major competitions over several decades. Twice Cowal Champions, Scottish Champions, All-Ireland Champions and runners-up in the World Championships are just some of their awards.
Great ambassadors for the company, they are in demand throughout the world, having performed in the US, Canada, Japan and China. The band have appeared before The Queen at Braemar, for the Pope at St Peter's in Rome, with Sir Paul McCartney at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, at the Lord Mayor's Show in London, at the Official Opening of the Scottish Parliament and at the 75th Royal Variety Performance. The band have appeared on TV networks throughout the world promoting their sponsorship with the company whilst dressed in the ScottishPower tartan which was commissioned especially for them.
TOM JOHNSTONE [www.EXPERTPIPER.CO.UK]
Tom Johnstone's website giving details of tuition, performances, mechandise, etc. - well worth a visit!
 |
LAURIE'S BAR - King St Glasgow
This popular bar is situated not far from the city centre and is owned and run by old friends of Clutha Folk Group - Cy and Mary Laurie.
Friday night features acoustic music sessions, whilst on Saturday afternoons there is Jazz, with free entry Ceilidhs held every Saturday evening. Not to be missed!
 |
Great Magazine for Traditional Music!
FRED MORRISON
Although Fred was brought up in the West of Scotland and now lives in Bishopton, his family and hence his roots are from South Uist. Fred performs all over the World and has his own brand of bagpipes which are manufactured for him by McCallum's in Kilmarnock.
NIGEL GATHERER is a professional musician: teacher, performer, composer, publisher and researcher. His classes, workshops and residential courses are popular throughout Scotland and the U.K. One of Nigel's missions in life is to get people playing music with one another, and this site provides resources to help, through education, tutorials, music and history.
VISIT SCOTLAND
Traditional Scottish music isn't only about bagpipes and fiddles. Rather, it encompasses a range of styles and forms that emerged from different strands of the country's historical, geographical and social heritage.
 |
Tonder Festival takes place every August and Clutha Folk Group had a very enjoyable time performing here in the 1980's
The Festival was started in 1975 and has grown into a fantastic musical spectacle
PARTICK FOLK FESTIVAL
Clutha Folk Group performed at this Festival a few years ago and there is a small snippet of the group in this video.
MITCHELL LIBRARY GLASGOW
The Clutha Folk Group originated in this library which is the largest reference library in Scotland and was recently the subject of a major refurbishment.
PONTARDAWE FOLK FESTIVAL
Clutha performed here in 1977 which is a long time ago so we don't remember much about it! - but it's still thriving!
EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB
Clutha have performed at this club several times in the past. Great Club!
GIRVAN FOLK CLUB
Girvan folk club was formed in October 1964 with the aim of promoting traditional folk music and song. The club first met in the local scout hall where the lack of a licence meant refreshments were limited to tea and orange juice. A move to the British Legion Hall followed before the club found a welcome at the Jolly Shepherd Pub in Barr. Despite having many memorable nights in Barr the lack of transport in those far off days often proved a problem so the club were delighted to be invited to take up residence in the Queens Hotel in Girvan. Due to changing ownership and other problems the club has relocated to other establishments in the town for brief periods but has always returned to its home in the Queens.
STIRLING FOLK CLUB
Great Folk Club where Clutha have performed several times in the past. Present location is STIRLING COUNTY R.F.C. BRIDGEHAUGH PARK STIRLING FK9 5AP
STAR FOLK CLUB
Originally founded by Arthur Johnstone of "Laggan" fame, the club now meets every Thursday evening at St Andrews in the Square, Glasgow
COLLEGE OF PIPING GLASGOW
Tom Johnstone learned here [many years ago] under the direction of such names as Duncan McFadyen, Seumas McNeill and Tommy Pearson.
The College was completely rebuilt just a few years ago and is a wonderful place in all respects!
The College is run by our old friend Bob Wallace, of Whistlebinkies fame. There is not much Bob does not know about piping [or have an opinion on!]
The College has not received any Government funding for the rebuilding and is still looking for donations to help bring the deficit down. Please contact Bob if you are able to help.