Biography

The Whistlebinkies have built a world wide reputation over 45 years for their approach to Scottish music - letting the power and beauty of the melodies shine while achieving a rich blend of the traditional instruments. With bellows blown pipes, harp and fiddle at the core of the sound, the colours of flute, concertina and double bass enhance the harmonies and tunes. Gaelic songs from Rhona and Scots songs from Stuart compliment the instrumental programmes. Unique new music has been composed for them by their flautist, Eddie McGuire: for example The 'Fiddlers' Farewell' for Yehudi Menuhin & the group in the 1985 Edinburgh Festival; 'Riverside' with Scottish Chamber Orchestra in 1991; Epopee Celtique with Lorient Festival Orchestra, Flint Male Voice Choir, Pipe Bands, etc (1997) and the ballet Tian Di Yuan with Harmony Ensemble for Celtic Connections 2005. This last piece was one of the results of their groundbreaking 1991 China tour. See our Bandcamp site for more. Rab Wallace performed with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in 'Calgacus' (the first ever symphonic poem for bagpipes and orchestra, written in 1976). Its Proms recording was chosen for BBC Music Magazine's CD "The Very Best of the BBC Orchestras". Rab and Stuart also compose for the group; all contribute to arrangements - heard in CDs for Greentrax Recordings ('The Albannach', 'Timber Timbre' and 'A Wanton Fling'). The best from the group's LPs of the 1970s & 80s are on the CD 'Anniversary' (Claddagh Records).