Iain MacFarlane has become one of the most sought-after fiddlers in Scotland. Best known for his role in the dynamic ‘Blazin’ Fiddles’, Iain has been steeped in traditional music all his days being influenced by ‘greats’ such as his father Charlie, Donald Riddell, Fearchar MacRae and Evan MacRae.
Since his teens Iain has played in many musical formations and projects such as Gaelic Drama, Contemporary Dance, Radio and Television. A graduate from the RSAMD BA Trad Music course, Iain is now the principle tutor at the School of Excellence in Traditional Music and does regular teaching stints at Feisean and the Irish World Music Centre.
Much in demand as a session player he is equally at home playing for dances,ceilidhs and accompanying singers having worked most recently with Kathleen MacInnes and Margaret Stewart. In the past he has also stood in for the great Aly Bain of "Boys of the Lough.
Iain’s other commitments are with the trio, Union Hill (Duncan Chisholm + Marc Clement), the Glenfinnan Ceilidh band and also in a duo with Iain MacDonald (ex Battlefield Band/ Ossian). It was from this duo that the now seminal album “First Harvest” emerged described in the Scotsman paper as the “best traditional album of Scottish Music to emerge in a decade from two of the foremost instrumentalists in the country.”
Iain’s newest project is the establishment of the Old Laundry recording studio in his native Glenfinnan.
“Iain MacFarlane's exquisitely lyrical, west coast accent, produced a typical heart-in-the-mouth set….with his superb technique and mellifluous tone.”
Hello Iain, Thanks for the myspace friendship. This is OOR Tours - The musical walking tour of Edinburgh. Please have a look at the link and the video report...http://www.oortours.com/
just working away with my father just now! playing with fife police pipe band also. Its keeping the fingers moving:P also going to loriont festival with them so should be orite:) jeting of to oz in september to play with a pipe band out there for a year so giving the music thing a go :) u playing much ?
Hey, yeh we are pretty busy and getting things all organised for our European tour during the summer. Catch up with you in November if not before and maybe have a few tunes? Eilidh
ewan dunken is a piper from nutonmore or how ever you spell it and he's in a band called snas with me!! you should know this through the school shouldn't you?!!
I really enjoyed it! You are the great fiddler of our days. Also I've watched on youtube Na Trads Feartan concert, where you performed with Duncan Chisholm and Margaret Stewart. Fantastic! Good wishes, Azamat
Hello, dear Iain! Wishing you a peaceful and great Easter! By the way, I've got a Blazin Fiddles' CD "Magnificent seven" few weeks ago -it's wonderful album! Great success to you! Greetings from Russia
