Rua MacMillan - Tyro

(May 2010) 9 tracks (47 mins): Traditionally Incorrect * The Jigs * Harv's * Kitchen Criminals * Bidh Clann Ulaidh * George, Donald and Sandy * Ooh, Pierre! * Glasgow Spike * Taxi.

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Of The Year 2009 - Rua (Ruaridh) is an exceptional talent amongst the many fiddlers in Scotland today. Part of his Young Traditional Musician prize was this debut solo album with Greentrax Recordings.

Originally from Nairn, near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, Ruairidh currently plays fiddle in the award-winning Paul McKenna Band, as well as fronting The Rua MacMillan Band which includes Tia Files and Adam Brown.

The tunes are a mix of Ruairidh’s own compositions and other contemporary compositions, plus traditional material. He is not afraid to experiment with the music and his arrangements are fresh and intriguing.

Ruairidh was taught by Bruce MacGregor and Aonghas Grant Snr (the legendary left-handed fiddler) among others, and later graduated with a BA Honours Degree (Scottish Fiddle) at The Royal Scottish Academy Of Music And Drama in Glasgow. He has already toured extensively in the UK and Europe, as well as Canada, America and The Faroe Islands.

With guests Tia Files (guitars, bass), Adam Brown (bodhran), Alasdair MacLeod (drums) and Brian McNeill (concertina, bouzouki).