For Scotland, the late 18th and early 19th century was a time of profound and uncomfortable changes. Economic and social

structures were altered dramatically as the Industrial Revolution brought factories and mechanization to Scotland's rural world. At the same time, the Scottish Highlanders were being driven from their lands by the English conquerors, forced into the Lowlands, forbidden to practice their familiar customs. It was a difficult time, often a brutal time... and yet, this was a time of great poets, the likes of Robert Burns and Robert Tannahill. And it was a time of great music.

The Tannahill Weavers' diverse repertoire reflects the duality of Scotland's musical heritage. It embraces both the mystical quality of the Highlander's Celtic music, and the rollicking, sometimes even brawling qualities of the Lowlander's Anglo-Scots tunes. The Tannahill Weavers' arrangements blend the beauty of the traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. The penetrating sound of the Highland bagpipes is a thread of ancient memory running through it all.

ROY GULLANE

Roy, as many of you will know, is along with Phil Smillie one of the two longest serving professional members of the Tannahills. He plays guitar, sings lead vocals, tells silly stories, and keeps us all laughing through adversity on the road. He also has taken on the persona of booking agent for the band in the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Roy has also done a lot of songwriting. He has recorded a solo album called "Not Only But Also..." including many of his own songs plus other favorites that he'd always wanted to record but hadn't had the chance.

FACT FILE:
name: robert james gullane
born: glasgow, scotland
date of birth: 19 march, 1949
residence: groningen, the netherlands
instruments: guitar, vocals

hil joined the Tannahill Weavers when he was 16 years old - he is one of the two original professional members along with Roy Gullane. Phil plays flute, bodhran, and whistles, and he sings harmony vocals. He writes tunes for the flute, several of which the band has recorded.

FACT FILE:
name: philip smillie
born: glasgow, scotland
date of birth: 22 december, 1955
residence: tayport, scotland
instruments: flute, whistles, bodhran, vocals

ohn is our fiddle, cello, and viola player as well as singing bass vocals. Many of you will remember him from earlier days with Contraband, Ossian and the Easy Club. He made his first recording for the BBC at the tender age of 14, and has never looked back, becoming one of the most active members of the Scottish traditional music scene. He has recorded a solo fiddle album and "The Braes of Lochiel" as a duo with Billy Ross.

FACT FILE:
name: john martin
born: bellshill, scotland
date of birth: 1 april, 1953
residence: edinburgh, scotland
instruments: fiddle, cello, viola, vocals

One of Scotland's most exciting young pipers, Colin plays highland bagpipes, Scottish small pipes and whistles, teaches in the Feisean and does freelance work when not on the road with the band. Colin attended Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, where he earned a degree in engineering. He recorded "Fits o' Giggles" with Ally MacKenzie in 2004.
E-mail Colin here!

FACT FILE:
name: colin joseph melville
born: fort william, scotland
date of birth: 5 october, 1979
residence: fort william, scotland
instruments: highland bagpipes, scottish small pipes, whistles

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