The Ardoch Suite/The Poor Had No Lawyers

This event comes in two exciting parts:

1. Author, land activist and former MSP Andy Wightman will give a talk based on his acclaimed 2010 book, The Poor Had No Lawyers, which examines land issues historically and up to the present day, reinvigorating discussion around the subject.
2. The University of Edinburgh's Traditional Artist in Residence, Fraser Fifield, will introduce a newly composed suite of music called 'The Ardoch Suite' to be performed with top traditional musician and piper, Ross Ainslie. 'The Ardoch Suite' draws its title from the home of the late Jean Bain, the last native Gaelic speaker from the area around Glen Gairn, Deeside. Striking photography from Glen Gairn, courtesy of photographer James Dyas Davidson, will accompany the performance.

Fraser Fifield is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Scotland, performing on low whistle, saxophone, and bagpipes. His distinctive instrumental voice draws influence from many sources; Scottish folk is identifiably present but also Jazz, Indian, Balkan and more. He currently holds the post of Traditional Artist in Residence at Edinburgh University.

Over a 30-year career, Fraser has performed with many influential bands from the Scottish folk scene and released a series of acclaimed solo recordings. His most recent, ‘One Great Circle’, refers to the legacy of Traveller Stanley Robertson, and features Chris Stout and Catriona McKay. It is Fraser’s 10th studio album to feature his original compositions and is due for release on 8th March 2024.

Andy Wightman is a writer, researcher, analyst, commentator, and activist on issues of land, power, governance, democracy and money. Over the past 20 years, he has undertaken a wide range of work on land tenure, landownership, land reform and, more recently, community land rights, governance and the hegemonic dimensions of land relations.

After studying forestry at Aberdeen University. Andy spent some time working as an environmental scientist before becoming self-employed in 1992. In 1996 he wrote Who Owns Scotland (Canongate) and in 1999 wrote a short essay called Scotland: Land & Power. The Agenda for Land Reform in Scotland (Luath). In 2010, The Poor had No Lawyers (Birlinn),made an historical analysis of the land question and reinvigorated debate around land relations. Andy also served as an MSP from 2016 to 2021.

Ross Ainslie is one of Scotland’s top traditional musicians, sought after for his skill on bagpipes and whistles. Taught by legendary Perthshire piper Gordon Duncan, Ross has continued in Gordon’s ground-breaking footsteps - he has collaborated with a long list of well-known Scottish artists, taken part in lead ensembles such as Treacherous Orchestra or Tryst, formed duos with Tim Edey, Ali Hutton, Bridghe Campbell and has been seen recently in company of hip-hop stars Cypress Hill.

As a composer and performer, Ross has made several acclaimed solo recordings, including Wide Open (2013) and Vana (2020), which demonstrate additional string and woodwind skills from a musician always pushing forward.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

1.06 Project Room, 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom