Aberdeen Strathspey and Reel Society

Fiddle orchestra

The Aberdeen Strathspey & Reel Society was established in 1928 to form and maintain orchestras for promoting the practice and performance of Scottish music, with aims to encourage and advance interest in Scottish music and preserve the playing of it. The following photograph show the members in April 1928:

The current playing membership of about 40 includes violinists/fiddlers, accordionists, double-bassists, a pianist, penny-whistle player, and flautist. The society hosts an annual concert in April and the Aberdeen Fiddlers’ Rally in November, in addition to playing other smaller concerts throughout the year.

The society recorded three records (six sides) for Beltona at the Music Hall on Tuesday, 29 November 1932, under the baton of founding-conductor, Alec Sim, with renowned dance-band leader, Annie Shand, accompanying. Further recordings were made over the years, including an unreleased LP of tunes from Middleton’s Selection in the 1950s, and a cassette, ‘Home to Bon-Accord’ under conductor Graham Reid, in 1992.

The recordings were digitised and processed to remove clicks and other unwanted artifacts by Peter Haigh at Pier House Studios in 2021.

Visit the Society web pages by clicking here.

NOTE: The society retains all rights to the material published here on its behalf.

This photograph shows the orchestra performing at a British Legion event at Premnay in February 1935.

Wind on the heath

From 78 rpm record Beltona 1914 M-14556.

Alec Sim, conductor, Annie Shand, piano.
Recorded The Ballroom of the Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, Tuesday, 29th. November 1932.

The laverock’s nest / The smith’s a
gallant fireman / The fairy reel

From 78 rpm record Beltona 1914 M-14558.

Alec Sim, conductor, Annie Shand, piano.
Recorded The Ballroom of the Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, Tuesday, 29th. November 1932.

Marquess of Huntly / Marchioness of Huntly / Speed the plough /

From 78 rpm record Beltona 1931 M-14557-2.

Alec Sim, conductor, Annie Shand, piano.
Recorded The Ballroom of the Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, Tuesday, 29th. November 1932.

Sir William Noble / Forbes Morrison / Laird o’ Drumblair / Mrs. MacLeod

From 78 rpm record Beltona 1931 M-14560.

Alec Sim, conductor, Annie Shand, piano.
Recorded The Ballroom of the Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, Tuesday, 29th. November 1932.

Mrs. Ferguson of Raith / Miss Robertson of Crawhillock

From 78 rpm record Beltona 1932 M-14559.

Alec Sim, conductor, Annie Shand, piano.
Recorded The Ballroom of the Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, Tuesday, 29th. November 1932.

Lassie, look before you leap / Duncan Davidson / Glen Ogie

From 78 rpm record Beltona 1932 M-14561.

Alec Sim, conductor, Annie Shand, piano.
Recorded The Ballroom of the Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, Tuesday, 29th. November 1932.

Miss Marston’s strathspey / Garibaldi / John Howat’s reel / North Shore

A special recording of music from the Middleton Collection. The first track is by Middleton and the last by John Murdoch Henderson.