Some of biggest names in music are to be honoured this weekend when they are inducted into the prestigious Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame.

The ceremony will take place at the annual MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Perth Concert Hall on Saturday 4 December. Launched in 2005, the Hall of Fame acknowledges and recognises people in the music industry who have supported and influenced the development of Scottish traditional music during their lives. Inductees in previous years include The Corries, Sheena Wellington and Runrig.

Among the eight performers being honoured this year are Jimmie Macgregor MBE and his late partner Robin Hall, Scotland’s first folk music stars, who became household names when they performed five nights a week to millions of people on primetime television in the 1960s. They recorded more than 20 albums as a duo and appeared in every major venue across the UK, supported on occasion by The Beatles.

Alison Kinnaird MBE is recognised by the Hall of Fame as a ground breaking harp player, the first ever to make a recording of Scottish harp music. Also one of the world’s leading glass engravers, she has co-written a book on the history of the harp continues to travel the globe performing and teaching.

The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award will also be presented on the evening to Bill Wilkie MBE from Perth who founded the All Scotland Accordion and Fiddle Festival more than 60 years ago, and Bliadhna nan Òran is being celebrated for its Services to Gaelic Music.

The other performers being inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame are:

Folk singer Ray Fisher who initially performed with her brother Archie, moved to England after getting married, and as a solo performer, concentrated on big ballads and has been a champion of Scots folk song for a generation.

Pam Wilkie is a pianist who has been the foundation of many leading Scottish Country dance bands for the past 60 years. She has toured extensively, played on numerous television and radio programmes, and despite recording with many bands, Pam who is now in her 80s, only released her first solo album last year.

Dr Tom Anderson MBE remains the most prominent personality in Shetland fiddling who as a musician, composer and teacher has inspired thousands of fiddle players across the world including Aly Bain. While travelling around the island community as an insurance salesman, he played with customers once business was completed, learning the tunes and playing style which he passed to younger generations.

Gordon Duncan was one of the greatest-ever exponents of the bagpipes, an innovative, expressive musician and a prolific composer, many of whose tunes have attained the ultimate accolade of having passed into the tradition.

And finally, Donald Macrae, who is simply regarded as a legendary Gaelic singer.

Simon Thoumire, Director of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame said: “We are indebted to these musicians for what they have given Scotland over the years. Without them, traditional music would certainly not be in such a healthy state and so it is only fitting that we celebrate the contribution they have made not just at home, but in taking their music across the world.”

The full list of musicians inducted into the Scots Traditional Music Hall of Fame since 2005 can be found at www.tradmusichall.com.

Tickets are available for the Scots Trad Music Awards ceremony and gala concert from Perth Concert Hall box office by phoning 01738 621031.

http://www.tradmusichall.com

Simon - you're splitting hairs now - Patuffa's recordings (rare indeed) are of self accompaniment of Gaelic song on clarsach - it was Alison who broke out of that stricture and proved that the Scottish harp could play tunes too!

Karen Marshalsay