Introduction

Welcome to the Music of James Scott Skinner.

James Scott Skinner (1843 – 1927) was a key figure in Scottish traditional music. He took the art of Scottish fiddle music to a new height through his playing and his compositions.

The Music of James Scott Skinner is a learning and research resource suitable for anyone with an interest in Skinner, Scottish dance, Scottish fiddle music, Scottish traditional music and its history, and the North East of Scotland.

You can access a collection of manuscript and printed music, letters, published texts, images, videos and archive audio excerpts created and sourced by our partners or ourselves.

A wealth of material is available:

• Introductory commentaries on various aspects of the site
• A comprehensive database which charts Skinner’s life and music and the music of earlier and contemporary compilers and composers, including:
• Skinner’s handwritten copies of The Harp and Claymore Collection (published 1904)
• His editor, Gavin Greig’s copies and printer’s proofs of the same collection
• Letters, concert programmes, images
• Examples from Skinner’s entire output
• Excerpts from other collections of music
• Scottish Dance
• Videos of dances as Skinner taught them
• Archive audio excerpts of Skinner recordings

We welcome your comments or queries. Please contact us at: scottskinner@abdn.ac.uk

Historic Collections · Kings College · Old Aberdeen · AB24 3SW
Tel:(0)44 1224 274312 · E-mail: scottskinner@abdn.ac.uk