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Scotland’s musical heartbeat is carried not only in the pipes or voice, but also in the soaring, skirling sound of the fiddle.
And few ensembles celebrate that tradition more vibrantly than the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. This full-bodied musical force brings centuries of dance tunes, airs, and tradition to life on stage.
But the SFO is not alone. Across the world, in places where Scots settled and flourished, fiddle orchestras have taken root, creating a global family of folk.
A vibrant network of local Strathspey and Reel Societies flourishes across Scotland, each preserving and performing traditional music in its own community. These groups offer a vital grassroots foundation for the nation’s fiddle heritage, playing at local concerts, festivals, ceilidhs, and charity events.
The Aberdeen Strathspey & Reel Society and nearby Banchory Strathspey & Reel Society are key players in the northeast, continuing a proud tradition of performance and musical education.
Further south, the Border Strathspey & Reel Society brings lively reels and haunting airs to audiences throughout the Scottish Borders.
Meanwhile, Glasgow is home to one of the oldest fiddle societies in the country—the Glasgow Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra, founded in 1888 and still going strong after more than 130 years.
In Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Highland Reel & Strathspey Society maintains the capital’s connection to its musical roots, regularly delighting audiences with spirited performances steeped in tradition.