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Now in its 15th year, Riddell Fiddles helps people in the Scottish Borders access the joy of fiddle-playing.

Over the past year they have run the ‘Bannerfield Buskers’ project, during which 16 young people were provided with free instruments and weekly tuition, before taking part in local festivals, a short tour and performed at local care homes.

The Riddell Fiddles main group played at 50 events, including a trip to Barbados Celtic Festival to work with special needs children, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Floors Castle in Kelso and Riddell Tower near Selkirk – with the group also composing tunes for some of these events.

At the Selkirk Christmas Tree Lights switch-on, the ceilidh teenagers showed the 'auld yins' how to do it. In their own words, “Riddell Fiddles is local, fun and free, offering the chance to take part in performances and tours. In an area where unemployment is high, wages are low and shops are disappearing fast, there has to be some cheer.”

  

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