Instruments ~ Fiddle, Mandolin and Vocals

Playing Style ~ Scottish, Country and Bluegrass

Influences ~ John McCusker, Stuart Duncan

Musical Background ~ Michael began playing the fiddle at a young age. He has played in a mixture of orchestral and Scottish groups throughout his school life and is now a member of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. It was when he went to Abertay University that he really got into playing ceilidh music.

He has had a passion for Country and Bluegrass music for much of his life, which has had a great influence on his own playing style. He also loves to experiment with different instruments, which is what inspired him to take up the mandolin and guitar.

Instruments ~ Rhythm guitar, Fiddle, Banjo and Vocals

Playing Style ~ Trad, Contemporary, Jazz

Influences ~ Gerry O'Connor, Chris Thile, Eric Clapton

Musical Background ~ Aidan started playing guitar about 12 years ago. Since then he's been interested in a lot of different styles and genres. In school he started out playing for rock and blues songs, before touching on a little jazz and finally discovering Scottish music at university. Here, he and Michael still play in the Abertay University Ceilidh Band.

In the ceilidh band he tends to flirt a little with jazz and blues influences while still respecting the music's Scottish roots. He also plays fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and sings in the band.

Instruments ~ Drumkit

Playing Style ~ Trad, Indie

Influences ~ Description to come

Musical Background ~ Description to come

Role ~ Dance caller

Favourite Dances ~ The Witches Reel, Riverside

Background ~ Chris, an Orcadian himself, has been dancing his whole life, and has danced at ceilidhs in Japan, Scotland and Portugal. As our caller, Chris is fantastic at getting everyone up having a great time whether they come along knowing the dances or whether they haven't a clue! His infectious enthusiasm never fails to translate into a people having a great time.

Instruments ~ Fiddle

Playing Style ~ Irish, Cape Breton, Scottish, Folk

Influences ~ Box Club, Blazing Fiddles, Crooked Still

Musical Background ~ Taught violin from the age of 6 and trad from 14 by Ruth Morris, Fionnlagh began playing in sessions in the South-West of Scotland briefly playing in a folk band The Scruffy Buzzards. He Moved to Dundee, where he studied Graphic Design, and began playing in the Speedwell Tavern. He joined a folk band Delilah and the Samsons and played with the band until 2014. The band does not regularly gig anymore but occasionally plays at festivals in the Summer.

Fionnlagh moved to Glasgow in 2015 and has begun frequenting sessions there.

Instruments ~ Drumkit

Influences ~ Iain Robertson, Matt Tong, Metal

Musical Background ~ Kevin was our full time drummer until 2016 when he moved to Glasgow and unfortunately night shifts and long hours as a doctor has meant he can no longer perform for Staffin full time, although he does come over for the occasional gig.

Kevin has been drumming for over 10 years in orchestras and shows (e.g. Jekyll and Hyde), and has been playing in ceilidh bands for over 9 years. From a steel band, to brass orchestras, to musicals Kevin has experience in drumming all genres of music and brings this experience into ceilidh music, adding his own flare along the way.

Instruments ~ Fiddle, Keyboard, Vocals

Playing Style ~ Irish, Scottish, Classical

Influences ~ John McCusker, Natalie MacMaster, Alison Krauss

Musical Background ~ Clare has been singing for as long as she can remember, and playing the violin and piano from a very young age. Although taught mostly in the classical style, traditional music and songs were played most often at home with her musical family. She has played violin in orchestras in Dundee, and piano for a number of choirs in and around Dundee. She has also directed a number of choir performances and was Musical Director of Dundee University Operatic Society in 2013.

She played in her family’s ceilidh band as a teenager, and now also plays with the Abertay Uni Ceilidh Band on occasion. She enjoys the challenge of bringing lots of the techniques learned through her various musical endeavours together into a ceilidh band!

Instruments ~ Bass Guitar, Vocals, Octave Mandola

Playing Style ~ Prog Trad

Influences ~ Roger Waters, NHØP, Lemmy

Musical Background ~ Adam started playing violin as a small child, graduating to progressively larger instruments as he grew up. He now plays instruments ranging in size from harmonica to grand piano. Born in Kent, he moved to Scotland in 2010 and fell in with Dundee's traditional music scene, where he's often to be found in the local pub sessions playing octave mandola and/or singing.

A fan of prog rock, blues and jazz, Adam likes experimenting with novel arrangements and backings for traditional tunes and songs. In the Staffin Island Ceilidh Band, he's usually found playing fretless or five-string electric bass.