Sunday Afternoon Concert

Born in Dunfermline, Pete Clark lives in highland Perthshire, not far from where the great Scottish fiddler Niel Gow lived over two centuries ago. He directs his own biannual fiddle courses in the village of Birnam, coaches and conducts the Dunkeld & District Strathspey & Reel Society and is co-founder of the annual Niel Gow Festival.Pete is a former tutor on the Scottish Music degree course at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, and continues to teach, compose and record. He has taught and performed in many countries including the U.S.A.' Canada and Japan, is visiting lecturer on the fiddle music of Scotland at the University of St Andrews, and writes a regular contribution for “Fiddler Magazine”, published American quarterly.In 1998, Pete recorded an album in the ballroom of Blair Castle, playing the Niel Gow fiddle which is on display there.  In 2017, he made another recording, this time using the fiddle which was Niel Gow’s personal favourite in his later years.Pete has a lifelong interest in and love for the natural world, and when not fiddling, he is walking, fishing or painting.

As a pianist extraordinaire and prolific composer, Muriel Johnstone is highly acclaimed in the world of Scottish country dancing.  She's been involved in music and dance since her childhood --  starting piano lessons when she was 7 years old. Muriel went on to study at the London Royal Academy of Music and the University of Edinburgh' where she gained a Bachelor of Music degree, followed by a teaching qualification from Moray House College. Though “classically” trained, Muriel has always found the pull of traditional music irresistible.  Her teaching and playing has led her around the world.  Muriel has recorded over 30 albums and produced many books of her original compositions.  During her career, she's performed and recorded with many notable musicians, including Angus Fitchet and Alasdair Fraser.  Originally from Ardrossan in Ayrshire, Muriel now lives in Pitlochry, Perthshire, just up the road from Pete.  A happy coincidence!

These local young musicians are learning fiddle, guitar, accordian or whistle from tutors Karys Watt and Gill Hunter. We are delighted to have their trad band back at the Niel Gow Festival for 2026.