Alastair Savage is originally from Ayrshire and has performed traditional and classical music throughout his life. He was winner of the ‘Land O’ Burns’ Scots fiddle competition in his youth and has been a member of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra since 1997 touring Japan, China, USA, South America and throughout Europe. As traditional fiddle soloist he has performed on BBC Radio 3, Radio Scotland, on national radio in the USA and has made seven critically acclaimed albums featuring the great Scots fiddle composers of centuries past alongside his own unique compositions. The most recent of these is the album ‘Where The Good Ship Lands’released in August 2024 alongside the outstanding cellist Alice Allen, herself a leading light in the traditional music world. Alastair's music has been used by BBC Alba for documentary purposes and in 2021 he was shortlisted for a Scottish Award in New Music in recognition of his compositional work. As a session musician he has recorded with many top artists crossing different musical genres including Belle and Sebastian, Karen Matheson, Justin Currie and Ricky Ross.

‘a must for aficionados, a primer for anyone with a notional interest in Scottish traditional music’ (Herald)

‘spectacular in simplicity, scope and delivery’ (Folkwords)

‘There is a breathtaking effortlessness to Savage’s musical art’ (Bright Young Folk)

‘a master of the instrument’ ( Edinburgh Three Weeks)

‘panache, grace and affection’ (Scotsman)

LIVE GIGS

2025

SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY 3PM STRATHBLANE AND BLANEFIELD VILLAGE HALL

Alastair performs a special afternoon concert ahead of Burns night celebrating the poet's magical association with Scots fiddle melodies. Alastair will be joined by legendary actor John Shedden and acclaimed piano/accordion supremo Gregor Blamey. (small venue, limited ticket numbers available)

purchase tickets here

SATURDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 12.30PM PAISLEY ABBEY

Alastair is joined by Euan Drysdale (guitar/piano), Iain Crawford (double bass) and Bronte Hudnott (flute) for a special lunchtime recital in the wonderful acoustic of the Abbey. Entry to concert will be pay at door. More details to follow

RECORDING ARCHIVE

CLOSER TO HOME released 2004

Closer To Home was the first studio album recorded by Alastair Savage alongside guitarist/pianist Euan Drysdale and Double bassist Iain Crawford. Made at Dougie MacLean’s Butterstone Studios in 2004, the album showcases the group’s early work together. Included on the disk are a mix of Alastair’s own compositions, a set of traditional tunes from Boston and an arrangment of Bill Monroe’s bluegrass classic ‘Jerusalem Ridge’. The album was released on Alastair’s own label Woodland Records’ and has received widespread airplay on BBC radio 3 and radio Scotland.

Engineered and co-produced by Jamie Maclean is reflects the beginnings of a new collaboration process between Alastair and Jamie at the Perthshire studios.

SECRETS FROM THE KITTY released 2012

'Secrets From The Kitty' was the third studio album from Alastair Savage and his trio with Euan Drysdale and Iain Crawford. Recorded from June to September 2011 it represents the group's return to Butterstone Studios after 4 years had passed since their previous recording.The group began working on new tracks early in 2010, meeting in a little garage lock-up they used as a rehearsal space in the west end of Glasgow. The sessions provided the trio with an opportunity to re group after a break of several years from working on new material although they had done many live gigs in the period since the last album.. Jamie Maclean engineers and co-produces the album, his production work key to the sound of the recording. The album was the third release on the 'Woodland Records' label.

FOOL FOR A TIME released 2007

Fool For A Time was the second album made by Alastair Savage at Dougie Maclean’s Butterstone Studios. Recorded in 2007 it traces the compositional development of Alastair since the previous album in 2004 and continues his association with guitarist/pianist Euan Drysdale and double bassist Iain Crawford. The album is of entirely original material and further explores the folk, jazz, classical and progressive elements of the group’s earlier work. the album is a continuation of the group’s relationship with Jamie Maclean who once again engineers and co- produces. The recording was released on Savage’s ‘Woodland Records’ label in 2007.

ALONE WITH HISTORY released 2016

Alone With History was the fourth album released by Alastair Savage and his first completely unaccompanied fiddle recording. The album includes music by 18th century legend Niel Gow alongside his sons Nathaniel and Andrew, 19th century virtuoso James Scott Skinner and also some of Alastair Savage's own compositions. The album was recorded in Crathie Kirk in Royal Deeside, close to Balmoral Castle which has a strong connection to James Scott Skinner, who was dancing master there for Queen Victoria. The sound of the solo fiddle in the church acoustic is expertly captured by Colin Stephen who engineered and co-produced the album alongside Alastair Savage. Many of the tracks feature live performances taken from a concert at Crathie Kirk in April 2015 as well as further recordings done in the church later that year. The album is released on Alastair's own Woodland Records label in association with Colin Stephen Broadcast Services

WHEN BARLEY REACHES SHORE released 2018

‘When Barley Reaches Shore’ was Alastair Savage’s 5th solo album. It continued his output of classic Scots fiddle repertoire by Niel Gow and James Scott Skinner included on his previous release ‘Alone Wth History’ in 2016, whilst at the same time adding the music of William Marshall, another great fiddle composer of the 18th century, to the collection. Following the purely unaccompanied fiddle sound of his last recording, this album adds to his work with Euan Drysdale on guitar and piano alongside Iain Crawford on double bass, the trio having performed together on Alastair’s earliest 3 albums. The album represents Alastair’s first recording project alongside sound engineer David Gray at the Sound Cafe near Penicuik, Midlothian. The album was recorded over a three year period starting in 2015 and David expertly captured the individual moments of inspiration from the trio. His experience of recording many different genres of music is of great value in highlighting the contrasting styles of the tracks on the album.

TUNES FROM THE RIVER released 2022

Tunes From The River was Alastair Savage’s sixth album release and features music composed by him over the previous decade in a combination of live and studio recordings. This collection of melodies was the final piece of a planned trilogy of albums following the unaccompanied fiddle album ‘Alone With History’ and the contrasting ‘When Barley Reaches Shore’. The album features a host of celebrated Scottish folk musicians including the legendary flautist Eddie McGuire and piper Rab Wallace from the Whistlebinkies band, woodwind virtuoso Ewan Robertson on a wide range of instruments, Perthshire fiddle ace Pete Clark and guest appearances from two celebrated Finns, Vilma Timonen on kantele and Timo Alakotila on piano. The sound is expertly captured by engineer Colin Stephen in a range of settings including the beautiful Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh as well as a few tracks recorded by Dougie Frew at Glasgow’s renowned venue The Old Fruitmarket.

WHERE THE GOOD SHIP LANDS released 2024

‘Where The Good Ship Lands’ is Alastair Savage’s seventh album release and his first recording alongside the acclaimed cellist Alice Allen.

The double album reflects the duo’s work together over the past seven years and includes music from their range of traditional based melodies alongside newer compositions from Alastair, many of which were written during the period of lockdown from 2020 onwards. The album’s early tracks focus on the 18th century fiddle golden age with melodies used by Robert Burns for his songs and other classics by Niel Gow, Nathaniel Gow and William Marshall.

As the album develops, tunes from Ireland and America are explored and the duo complete the first disc with an original composition dedicated to the story of America’s underground railroad. Other original compositions by Alastair include the title track inspired by his home town of Ardrossan and its shipbuilding past. Also reflecting his Ayrshire roots are melodies celebrating the Isle of Arran.

The second of the discs features a strong James Scott Skinner focus, being a special part of Alice Allen’s heritage with Skinner originally from her own home town of Banchory.

All the albums above can be purchased either from Birnam CD shop

or from The Scottish Music Centre shop

GALLERY

some fantastic photos over the years from Simon Butterworth, photographer for the albums 'Closer To Home' 'Alone With History' and 'Tunes From The River'

Elly Lucas did some brilliant shots of Alastair in his Ayrshire homeland alongside Alice Allen at Saltcoats Harbour and Irvine Harbour for the most recent album 'Where The Good Ship Lands'.

By Stuart Armitt at the CumnockTryst 2024

Alastair's great friend Allan McMillan has taken some wonderful photos over the years, especially at the Edinburgh Festival. These are a snapshot of his work.

Get in Touch

Feel free to contact Alastair about music, recordings, or for enquiries about booking him and accompanying performers for concerts or festivals. All enquiries transferred directly to Alastair.

info@alastairsavage.co.uk