Ossian, named after the legendary 3rd century Celtic bard and folk hero, was formed in 1976, and this was their first ground-breaking album of Scottish / Celtic music. The band went on to record a series of albums on their own Iona label. All four members of the band were from Glasgow, but George and Billy Jackson were both of Irish extraction and they developed a taste for Celtic traditions on the family croft in the Donegal Gaeltacht. John Martin comes from a long line Aberdeenshiure fiddlers and still plays the fiddle owned at one time by his Grandfather. Billy Ross has his roots in Skye, and from this background he inherited his love of Gaelic song.
The band play a wide variety of mainly Scottish traditional music ranging from their lively jigs and reels to the plaintive 'Oh My Country', a sad tale of an emigrant from Uist who arrives in Manitoba to find a cold and hostile land.
Artistes: William Jackson: Celtic Harp, Uillean Pipes, Whistle, Vocals; John Martin: Fiddle, Mandolin, Cello, Vocals; George Jackson: Fiddle, Mandolin, Flute, Whistle, Guitar, Vocals and Billy Ross: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Whistle, Dulcimer.