Budding musicians in the far north are to get a boost when a new business providing traditional fiddle tuition for groups and individuals tunes up in Wick.

Gordon Gunn, who is well known in traditional music circles throughout the Highlands and Islands and beyond, has identified a rising demand for fiddle tuition in Caithness which has convinced him of the potential for a full-time business venture.

An accomplished musician, Gordon has performed solo and in various groups since a young age, with his numerous competitive achievements including being a six-time winner at the Caithness and Sutherland Mod. His radio and television credits include performances on various BBC Radio Scotland programmes, including Take the Floor, Live at the Lemon Tree and Mr Anderson's Fine Tunes, plus appearing, along with his band, on Grampian TV's Northern Nights.

Gordon received business start-up assistance from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE), which included a funding package totalling £3,600. This form of CASE assistance is designed to help new businesses by providing valuable business advice and a regular income for the first twelve months of trading, usually the most difficult time for fledgling businesses.

According to Gordon: "I've always wanted to help and encourage traditional fiddle music in Caithness but up until now the timing was never right for me because of work and other commitments. 

"Traditional music is so vibrant all over Scotland, with people of all ages taking up the fiddle.  While working at various Feis workshops around the country I've been meeting people from Caithness and Sutherland who have had to travel to get traditional fiddle tuition. So with the help and support of CASE, I'm now in a position to provide traditional fiddle tuition in the Wick and Thurso area.

"Over the last few months I've been very fortunate to have participated at some of the major festivals in the UK and Ireland including Celtic Connections, Orkney Folk Festival, Hebridean Celtic Festival, Cambridge Festival and Celtic Fusion.

"The experience gained from performing at these festivals is second to none. Hopefully I can use that to encourage and benefit other musicians in the area.  Caithness and Sutherland has a huge musical potential, with a very a high standard of quality musicians, which I hope in some small way to be able to help nurture.

"The support and advice I received from CASE has been terrific, they have been so supportive, helping drive me on to something which was initially just a dream."

Ian Thomson, development manager at CASE, said: "Music is one of the fastest growing creative industries in Scotland, as reflected by the demand for this service.  I'm sure Gordon's new business will encourage many budding musicians to either start or improve their skills."

If you would like more information on the service provided by Gordon, call him on 01955 602831 or 07798 703072 or email him at gordon.gunn@ntlworld.com