The McCalmans are an institution on the Scottish music scene. Wonderful distinctive singers of rousing songs and quite the most hilariously entertaining live performance group to be found anywhere!! Yet they are so much more ..excellent musicians and their arrangment and interpretation of songs is thoughtful and always interesting. This CD has a fine selection and includes the soul stirring, "Smuggler",  "A Man's A Man For A That" and "Ye Jacobites By Name". This CD has tracks gleaned from 30 years of recordings up to 1994 and  listeners can't fail to be impressed by the consistenty high standard of their output. Despite the passing of Derek Moffat in 2001, The McCalmans continue to enthuse us with their wonderful music. A fantastic band  - long may they continue!

An extract from the introduction to this 1994 30th Anniversary Compilation album written by Douglas McCalman...

It was just a whim which took us the 240 mile round trip from Edinburgh to the West Highland village of Ballchulish. The village nestling between wooded mountain and loch was the latest venue on The McCalmans Highland Tour. The air soft, the misty rain surprisingly wetting, we joined the mixture of tourists and locals in the village hall to enjoy the blend of fun and fine music. Suddenly the power failed, but unperturbed by the denial of their sound equipment, the group merely stepped forward of their microphones and filling their lungs with air, launching into song, saturating the candlelit hall with a mesmerising display of three part harmony singing. The combination of location, atmosphere and song, created, not for the first time, that sensation born of a sense of sheer enjoyment, that begs a wish to preserve the moment forever. The power of the human voice to stir emotion never fails to amaze, and it is in this capability that lies the strength of The McCalmans and the reason for their continuing popularity and longevity.

Ian McCalman, Hamish Bayne and Derek Moffat first met during registration for entry into Edinburgh College of Art on 6th October 1964, and in a mutual interest in folk music, formed, not only a much-loved and I think  consistently the best folk group, but also a friendship which has endured for all these years. Hamish retired to the quieter life in 1982 with new boy Nick Keir joining the group. . The strength of their friendship is exemplified when Hamish cheerfully came out of retirement for several months in 1991 to act as substitute for Nick, who, at that time suffered a debilitating illness.. The lucky amongst us have been privileged to see all four performing together.........

Featuring, Ian McCalman, Derek Moffat, Nick Keir and Hamish Bayne with a combination of instruments including guitars, whistles, concertina, mandolin, bodhran and, of course, four fantastic voices.