Nigel You've probably got all the relevant currently available Scottish stuff, but maybe have a look at the related Northumbrian piping tradition, which stll keeps the variation flame burning, as does the Border piping tradition, but with even fewer exponents.
I've followed up many of the leads in David Johnson's book, and would single out the early fiddler (fl. 1700) John MacLachlan/ McLaughlin as a Master, one of the greatest ever Scottish fiddlers IMHO and hardly known at all today. His work features heavily in the Balcarres Lute Book in transcription/arrangement by 'Mr Beck'. I hear there are (very long-delayed) plans to publish Balcarres, but meanwhile some of the tunes are on recordings by Rob MacKillop and Ronn MacFarlane which are well worth hearing, To me the art of variations stands in great contrast to the omnipresent medley approach. It is more ecologically sound - recycling and enriching the tune rather than disposing of it after one or two plays and on to the next - but then I'm old-fashioned that way. Nearly forgot - David Greenberg's rendition of Black Jock is a beacon in these dark times. Matt Seattle Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
