Tom Anderson

Fiddler, collector and teacher; Shetland

Born
29 August 1910, Eshaness, Shetland
Died
20 September 1991, Lerwick, Shetland

Tom Anderson learned the fiddle from his grandfather on a Northmavine croft. He spent a lifetime gathering Shetland tunes, often from players he met while selling insurance around the islands. He founded the Shetland Fiddle Society, led Da Forty Fiddlers, brought fiddle teaching into Shetland schools and taught players including Aly Bain. He wrote more than 500 tunes.

Further reading: Wikipedia · Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame