James Scott Skinner

James Scott Skinner (5 August 1843 – 17 March 1927) was a Scottish dancing master, violinist, fiddler and composer.

Skinner was born on 5 August 1843 in Arbeadie in the parish of Banchory, Aberdeenshire, the youngest of six children.

When his mother remarried seven years later, he moved to Aberdeen where he lived with his sister Annie and attended Connell's School.

Skinner attributed his own later success to meeting Charles Rougier in Manchester, who taught him to play Beethoven and other classical masters.

[3] In the period from 1906 to 1909 he lived a settled life in Monikie but had so little money that he could not afford to publish his work.

These include traditional tunes as well as his own works, presenting a unique window into early twentieth century fiddle playing and probably back to the 1850s.

He immediately had musical differences with the pianist and strode off stage without completing his test pieces.

His body was buried in Aberdeen, where his marble memorial gravestone, by the artist and sculptor Frederick William George, was unveiled by Sir Harry Lauder.

[4] Over 600 of his compositions were published, among the best known being "The Bonnie Lass of Bon Accord," "Cradle Song," "Bovaglie's Plaid," "The Music o' Spey," and "Hector the Hero."