Scottish Fiddling

Welcome to the Scottish Fiddle page. Check out our schedule below for all weekend events and list of some of the main performers. Our special guest fiddler and workshop instructor this year is Judi Nicolson, a champion Scottish fiddler originally from Banchory Scotland now living in Katy Texas. She will be accompanied by local renowned musicians Fred Collins & Kathy Fraser Collins, a dynamic husband and wife team from St-Anne de Prescott. See all bios below.

See you in the air conditioned Arena Hall.

Fiddle Events You Won’t Want to Miss

Judi Nicolson, originally from Banchory, Scotland, is a consummate performer; her dynamic fiddling, engaging stage presence and deep understanding of Scotland’s music has created a demand for her solo appearances, concerts, and dances throughout America and Canada.

Judi was trained in both classical and traditional styles; however, from an early age, her passion has always been to play traditional Scottish fiddle music. By the age of fifteen, Judi had won three major open Scottish fiddle championships including the Golden Fiddle Award – a competition that attracted competitors from around the world. She went on to play at various music venues throughout the U.K., both as a soloist and alongside some of the finest Scottish dance bands.

In 1990, Judi relocated to Shetland, continuing her musical career and taking a position with the Shetland Musical Heritage Trust as Musical Archivist to transcribe Dr. Tom Anderson’s music collection. Shetland’s music and its many musicians became a huge influence to Judi, as she regularly played with Violet Tulloch at venues in addition to producing a multitude of recordings both for TV and Radio. She also had many opportunities to play with the late Willie Hunter who was a huge influence on her playing. Great times were had during these years. Throughout her time in Shetland, Judi taught traditional fiddle music across the islands, ensuring that traditional music would continue to thrive.

Over the years, Judi has performed in television, radio and theater productions, and has recorded two solo albums as well as 14 albums with various musicians and bands.

Judi is a qualified teacher of both classical violin and traditional fiddle in Scotland.

In 2004, Judi, her husband Ian and their two children relocated to Inverurie, Scotland, and she quickly accepted a position to teach classical and traditional violin throughout schools in the area. During this time, she played with several of Scotland’s finest musicians. In 2008, Judi and her family moved once again to Katy, Texas, where Judi swiftly made her mark on the music scene throughout North America. She reconnected with the late Bobby Brown, who formed the “Cape Breton Symphony” at TAC week 2010, and formed a close bond with Kathy and Fred Collins, who, along with Rob Wolanski, played in the band, “Scottish Accent.” After several bookings, Kathy, Fred, Rob and Judi recorded a CD together.

Judi continues to be in high demand for teaching, performing at concerts, and for Scottish country dances, workshops, and Balls worldwide.

Kathy and Fred Collins

Kathy was born in a rural farming community near the Scottish settlement of Glengarry County, Ontario. She began playing the piano at age 5 and would eventually spend 35 years performing with Bobby Brown and the Scottish Accent and Cape Breton Symphony Fiddlers for many tours, workshops, dances and recordings. Kathy was inducted into the Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame in 2014. Along with her husband Fred, she remains very involved in the music scene in their area. They are members of the Quigley Highlanders Pipes and Drums and for many years enjoyed promoting young local musicians through their own Torridon Scottish Dance Band.

Drumming was an early passion for Dundee born Fred Collins and the opportunity came when joining the Boy’s Brigade at age 12. Fred soon became a member of the competitive MacLeod Pipe Band performing at highland games throughout Scotland. With members of his Boy’s Brigade, he formed a Scottish Dance  Band “The Gie Gordons” while also being called upon to play with such legendary bands as Jimmy Shand, Angus Fitchet and John Ellis. Upon arriving in Canada in 1954, Fred was immediately recruited as lead drummer by the Toronto Scottish Pipe Band and later joined the 400 Squadron RCAF pipe band. In addition he joined the first Canadian Scottish Dance Band -  “The Four Scots”.  Over the years he was a member of a variety of bands including Stan Hamilton, Angus MacKinnon, Don Bartlett, Alex Jappy, Bobby Brown & the Scottish Accent and the Cape Breton Symphony Fiddlers.

Both Kathy & Fred have been privileged to work with outstanding fiddler, Judi Nicolson for the past 10 years and  performed with her for many concerts, dances and workshops in Canada, US and abroad. They released their first CD with Judi -  "Fiddle My Style" in 2016. They have since collaborated with Judi and Ian Muir  - a renowned accordionist from Prestwick, Scotland.  This ensemble known as “Tartan Ties” is in high demand for many events both on this continent and abroad and has recorded two CD’s  “Fire Away” and “Connection”.

Contact Info: If you are interested in participating with The Glengarry Massed Fiddlers at The Glengarry Highland Games go to The Glengarry Celtic Music Hall Of Fame website for tune sets & practices. If you are interested in participating in The Scottish Youth Fiddlers Showcase or for more information on all Scottish Fiddle events, please contact Ian R. MacLeod at 613-525-4096.