The Tannahill Weavers, who started as a band 20 years ago, occupy a unique position among the groups on the Scottish folk scene. Stalwarts Roy Gullane and Phil Smillie have surrounded themselves with a rotating cast of great musicians. Their music, which uses the Highland bagpipe, flute, and fiddle as its melodic core, is tighter, more intense, and harder-driven than the Battlefield Band, Silly Wizard, or their other contemporaries. Despite their mostly acoustic sound, they're the closest thing to a rock & roll band in intensity and attitude that the traditional Scottish music scene has to offer. Green Linnet Records has been the major force in promoting the Weavers, releasing more than a dozen albums over three decades. In 2000, the label continued that trend into the next millennium by releasing Alchemy.~ Steve Winick, All Music Guide
Roy Gullane
Phil Smillie
Leslie Wilson
John Martin
Colin Melville
The Tannahill Weavers are a popular band who perform traditional Scottish music. Releasing their first album in 1976 they're notable for being one of the first popular bands to incorporate the sound of the Great Highland Bagpipe (the Highland bagpipes are primarily a solo instrument) in an ensemble setting, and in doing so helped to change the sound of Scottish traditional music.
The band was formed in 1968, practising in a back room of the McKay family's rented Council house at 41 St. Ninian's Road, Hunterhill, Paisley and first performed at St. Peter's Folk Club, Glenburn, Paisley. The Club was run by Pat Doherty, father of Weavers' founding member Neil Doherty.
As of 2009[update], they continue to tour and release new recordings. They are named after ScottishpoetRobert Tannahill and have recorded several of his songs.
