Willie Johnson was born in Shetland, but settled in Edinburgh, where he lived until 2005. He became leader of the Edinburgh Zetland Fiddlers in the 1960s, through to the early 1980s.

Willie never made a commercial recording, but we have some old tapes which give some idea of Willie’s energetic style, which led many great sessions at the fiddlers. Willie encouraged and inspired many younger players at a time when there was very little commercially-available or broadcast fiddle music that had an ounce of the drive you can hear in his playing.

Photograph of Celia Smith (piano) and Willie Johnson (fiddle) taken April 1975 at the Zetland Halls, Pilrig Street, Edinburgh by Christine Hoy.

Shetland Fiddler/Bob Smith/Rosedale (reels)

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Shetland Waltz (1)

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Duke of Fife’s Welcome/Lovat Scouts/Barren Rocks of Aden

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Hills of Perth / Athol and Breadalbane Gathering / Unidentified (marches)

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Battle of Waterloo/Bonny Woods of ?/Unidentified

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Shetland Two-Step

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

The Headlands (march)

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Unidentified Pipe March

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Unidentified March

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Unidentified/Hurlock’s/Unidentified (reels)

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Unidentified Tunes

Recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.

Bonny Wells o Wearie (waltz)

All tracks recorded Derek Hoy, Zetland Halls, Edinburgh, March 1975.