Privileged to take on the role of Chair of the Norwegian Scottish Association in its 60th anniversary year. No better time to promote the values of community and international understanding. #Norge #Skottland.

Bergen - International Grieg Society Conference. Delighted to have completed my first committee work for the Styre (Board) of the Society. International Cultural Cooperation is more important than ever in these times. #classicalmusic

Good to be back on the platform of Aberdeen's wonderful Cowdray Hall, and great to assist the brilliant Bubblyjock Collective with my pre-concert talk on opera singer and 'granite city' quine extraordinaire, Mary Garden.

Solving the mystery of 'the old Inverurie fiddle' and its origins. Who made it? And why? How my research uncovered a story of community life and personal tragedy in nineteenth century north east Scotland. See and hear the lightly restored fiddle in my article here: monsgraupius.org/inverurie-pl...

Gratulerer med dagen! Every year I'm privileged to wear bunad and play for Norway's national day celebrations in Scotland's capital city. Have a happy 17th May dear Norwegian friends wherever you are! 🇳🇴🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😍 #17mai #skottland

I have often wondered why my mother, a pre-NHS registered Scottish nurse, was so keen her family should be musical. Just look at this piano right in the heart of the ward! No distressing electronic beeps and alarms, just music for the solace of the soul... #InternationalNursesDay

Scots song is full of poignant farewells and partings. Facing my own farewell to a landscape I love, I turned to Scots composer Helen Hopekirk whose arrangement of one of our old airs 'Adieu Dundee' best expressed my feelings.

Join me tonight at the Royal Norwegian Consulate, Edinburgh.

Join me in Edinburgh at the Royal Norwegian Consulate when I discuss my decipherings of the tiny 'dagbok' of singer and composer's wife Nina Grieg, and share a short film preview for @griegscotland.bsky.social All welcome, 12 Rutland Place, £3 at door, plus coffee & chat!

Join me in Edinburgh at the Royal Norwegian Consulate when I discuss my decipherings of the tiny 'dagbok' of singer and composer's wife Nina Grieg, and share a short film preview for @griegscotland.bsky.social All welcome, 12 Rutland Place, £3 at door, plus coffee & chat!

'The truth we seek'. Inspired choice of theme for EIF 2025. youtube.com/watch?v=_34j...

Consummate rhetoric. This. At last. youtube.com/watch?v=wmDV...

AI affects all musicians, and without robust legislation, will continue its brutal assail on all sectors from classroom to concert hall. Relieved my professional body is making a stand. Guidance here open to all: www.ism.org/news/ai-copy...

One of the most important things we can do for each other in society is to keep socialising and keep learning, which is why I keep up my voluntary work. Come along if you're in Auld Reekie tonight. You might even find me serving waffles 😅

Tonight, Edinburgh, all welcome! The Norwegian Scottish Association presents a wee linguistic feast with skilled Scots translator Dr Rachel Rankin. Venue: Royal Norwegian Consulate, 12 Rutland Square, Edinburgh. (£3 at door including 'hjembakt' waffles!) 😉

Exactly, and so too one of Norway's greatest daughters, singer of Scots descent, Nina Grieg.

A Haydn-a-day keeps the doctor away? 😅 This is inspired!

Hei alle sammen! Hi everyone! We're lighting up with the lighting of Edinburgh's Christmas Tree, kindly gifted the city by Vestland County, Norway - all in thanks for faithful friendship during WW2. Piper to the Lord Provost and Deacon of the Candlemakers warm the gathering up for the big moment! 🎄

Led on my Norwegian-Scottish duties last night by Piper to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh. So admiring her skill and stamina at leading our procession from the City Chambers. Takes both imaginative repertoire planning and patience with dumb photographers like me! 😂 #Edinburgh #Norge #Vestlandet

Taking care of another scholar's legacy - a New York musicologist who died before completing her PhD on Scots-born opera phenomenon Mary Garden. This, the much compressed result of what was sent me over the Atlantic many years ago, and still it's overwhelming. I'm so tired.

Fear not the boasts which wound: Fear not the threats which bind: Always on broken ground The seeds fall from the mind… —William Soutar (1898–1943), “In the Time of Tyrants” from In the Time of Tyrants (privately printed, 1939) www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/time-ty...