Niel Gow Saturday Evening Concert at Birnam Arts

Laura Wilkie (fiddle) & Gillian Fleetwood (harp)

Laura Wilkie is a Fiddle player from Tain in the Highlands of Scotland. She has a unique style which has roots in the Highland fiddle traditions but is influenced by an eclectic range of music from all genres.

Laura has toured internationally with various projects including; Kinnaris Quintet, Ian Carr, Ross Ainslie, Niteworks, Claire Hastings, Beth Malcolm and Siobhan Miller. As a founding member of Fat-Suit, Laura has been inspired to play with elements of improvisation in different styles, making her a versatile influence on each project. Collaborations include with; Shooglenifty, Man of the Minch, Rachel Sermanni, Elephant Sessions, Paul Towndrow’s Keywork Orchestra, Fatherson, The GRIT Orchestra and many more.

Laura will be playing alongside Gillian Fleetwood. Gillian cut her teeth playing Scottish traditional music in her hometown of Inverness, Scotland. She has since released two critically acclaimed albums with Scottish harp and song duo The Duplets (The Duplets showcase the instrument’s versatility to spellbinding effect” -The Scotsman) who have performed across Europe, USA, Mexico, Australia and Brazil. She has made a further three albums with Glasgow based folk-pop band State Broadcasters (“I recommend it very, very highly to you.” Ricky Ross – Radio Scotland)and she also enjoys working with contemporary songwriters, having toured and recorded with Agnes Obel, De Rosa, Pictish Trail and others. Also keeping Gillian busy is a collaboration with songwriter Martin John Henry; Henry and Fleetwood who make music rooted in places, nature and experimentation.

Gordon Gunn (fiddle)

Gordon Gunn has been described as "one of the most exciting and innovative fiddle players of the times."

Born & brought up in Wick, Caithness, Gordon was taught by the highly respected violin teacher Margaret Henderson who taught many pupils in the north of Scotland. Gordon is also a founding member of Scottish group Session A9 who were voted best live act at the 2012 Trad Awards.

Whilst working with Session A9, Gordon also tours with Session A9's Brian McAlpine on keyboards and a variety of musicians including Marc Clement and Phil Anderson on guitar and vocals.

Gordon is also a respected fiddle tutor, composer, session musician and producer. His compositions have been recorded by many artistes including Session A9, Ingrid Henderson, American fiddler Rodney Miller, "McGregor, Brechin & O'Headra" and harpist Rachel Hair to name but a few.

“Dunkeld Strath & Reel" has been an important part of Dunkeld's lively traditional music scene for over 90 years, has been closely associated with the Niel Gow Festival and, under its music director Pete Clark, is delighted to bring you a programme of great music from the 20th to the 21st centuries, much of it composed locally.