Ian Muir:
Ian started playing the accordion at school when he was 12 and playing for dances with his own band at the age of 14. In 1974 he joined McBains Band, one of the South’s most popular Scottish Country Dance Bands. Work with McBains included two broadcasts for Radio Scotland, a series of country dance programmes for schools with the BBC, the Royal Ballet School, including a performance on stage at Covent Garden, as well as regularly playing for Scottish country dancing in the South East of England.
In 1986 Ian formed his own band and the nucleus of Craigellachie emerged. Ian is also interested in composition and many of his compositions have been published .
Ian retired from his post as is currently employed as the Senior Schools Adviser with Reading Local Authority some 6 years ago and now enjoys a relaxing life of music, art and bee-keeping. Prior to this he was Head of the Performing Arts Faculty in a Basingstoke comprehensive school principally teaching music, drama and art.
From 2015 – 2021 Ian was the RSCDS’s Music Director.
Every now and then a tune comes along which catches the imagination and becomes one of those eternal ‘ear-worms’. This is mine at the moment. A 2/4 March by the renowned Phil Cunningham – The Craic at Clashmore Hall
The wine says it all!