I was approached a few times by Alive to present a Scottish Music Show, however I kept turning them down as I didn't think I had the confidence to do it.  A special friend of ours sadly passed away.  Derek Hamilton was extremely passionate on keeping Scottish Music alive by promoting it as much as we could, he was my inspiration to start Tartan and Thistles.

I was brought up in Thornhill where I learned to play the bagpipes with the Buccleuch and Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band.  I also loved Scottish Country Dance Music from an early age.  My Gramps and I used to shove the furniture back and pop on some LP's, usually Max Houliston, and dance and dance till we could dance no more.  So, from an early age I was surrounded by Scottish Music.  

My passion grew for it greatly when at the age of 45, I decided to learn to play the Accordion... and oh bhoy what a journey that has become.  On the week I began, I was challenged by Derek Hamilton to play just short of a year later on the stage with him, Jimmy Macdonald and Richard Hughes at the Skye Accordion and Fiddle Festival - That's when the serious practice began.  With a huge thank you to Andy Philip, I completed that challenge in June 2018 by playing 3 marches with the best backing I could imagine. 

I have met so many talented and supportive musicians over the last 8 years, who would have thought that now I am playing their music on my very own radio show!

I truly love the preparation work for the show as it makes time to sit and listen to the music I love most.  I have themes for the shows each week and it is fun to find different tracks and artists each week to fit the theme.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy listening to my shows.

Susan