
ONE OF MORAY’S most famous music groups were taken by surprise when they took to the stage at Speyfest recently – as they were about to be recognised for more than their music.
Fochabers Fiddlers were intercepted at the event by the Elgin Rotary Club who presented them with a Community Award in recognition of their project work within Moray.
The Fiddlers were formed in 1980 by James Alexander, originally to encourage young musicians to take an interest in Scottish music – but after a successful away trip to the Shetland Islands Mr Alexander commented that it was “the birth of a monster”.
Consisting of musicians aged from 12 to 18 years, all pupils at Milnes High School, the Fiddlers have gained an international reputation as they embarked on trips in Europe and North America. They were even given the opportunity to play at the Royal Albert Hall – and are expected to return there later this year.
That appearance, on November 14, will like most of the work of the Fiddlers be charitable – in this instance Cancer Research UK – and is expected to draw an audience of around 5000.
It is expected that the concert and subsequent DVD sales will raise over £150,000 for the charity. The young Moray ambassadors are also set to return to Edinburgh’s Usher Hall for a similar event on behalf of the same charity.