Margaret Robertson MBE: Shaping the next generation of Tattoo Fiddlers

Inspired by our 2025 Show theme The Heroes Who Made Us, we’re delighted to celebrate a Tattoo teaching hero who is actively nurturing the next generation of fiddle players.

A well-known face in the Shetland music scene, Margaret Robertson MBE has been a part of our Tattoo since 2014 when she was asked to create a group of Shetland fiddlers to perform on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. 10 years on, Margaret now leads our Tattoo Fiddlers to represent The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo around the world.

Fiddle music has held special significance in Shetland culture for centuries. Seeing the decline of fiddle playing in young people during the 1960s, prominent Shetland musician Dr Tom Anderson MBE began campaigning for lessons to be taught in schools. His work paid off, and in 1974 Margaret became one of the first wave of Shetland children to learn the fiddle in school.

A native Shetlander, Margaret was born to a musical family with both her grandfathers and her father playing the fiddle. She inherited their passion for music and, under the watchful tutorage of Dr Anderson, she’s gone on to have an impressive career in music.

Margaret began teaching fiddle at just 16 years old. During her career, she’s been nominated as ‘Tutor of the Year’, performed in Olympic Stadiums, been inducted into the Traditional Music Hall of Fame and awarded an MBE for her services to Scottish music. We caught up with Margaret to find out more about her experiences and her advice for those looking to learn the fiddle.

How has fiddle playing impacted your life? 

“I cannot imagine my life without fiddle playing and traditional music in general. It has given me a fulfilling teaching career of over 40 years and counting, which I don’t look on as work - it is a pleasure. I have travelled to many places I doubt I would have otherwise. I have met amazing people and musicians from all over the world and played in venues from small country halls to Olympic stadiums thanks to my fiddle! I was nominated as ‘Tutor of the Year’ in 2013, inducted into the Traditional music ‘Hall of Fame’ in 2018 and was awarded the MBE in the 2020 Queen’s birthday honours list for ‘Services to Scottish Music’.”

Tell us more about your work as a music teacher? 

“I began to teach when I left school aged 16 and was the first to have learned through the school system and then move on to teach in that system. I have taught in many of Shetland’s schools over the years before making the move to teach privately around seven years ago. There is nothing quite like seeing the joy in a student’s eyes when they achieve their goal, and nothing make me prouder than to sit in the audience and be entertained knowing you played a part in the musicianship of those on stage.”

What makes a good teacher in your eyes?

“Patience, adaptability, commitment. You should be committed to your students, be willing to adapt how you teach to suit each individual and have the patience to help them succeed.”

Looking at fiddle in particular, what are three things you can do to improve your fiddle playing? 

• “Listen, immerse yourself in the music you wish to learn. Listen to everyone you can, you will always pick up something – even if it’s something you want to remind yourself never to do!”
• “Don’t confuse practice to maintain with practice to progress. To progress you often have to dismantle the music, work at sections and then reassemble.”
• “Be patient with yourself. It will come, just hold on in there!”

What are three things to avoid when playing the fiddle? 

• “Bad posture will not only lead to problems but will ultimately hinder progression.”
• “Don’t settle for just ok – strive to be the best you can. On a fiddle the biggest give away is playing out of tune!”
• “Don’t put off practice until tomorrow, miss a day and you’ve lost two!”

How would you encourage people to take up the fiddle?

“In Scotland, and not least my home Islands of Shetland, we have a tradition that has served us for generations. It is an amazing journey to be part of as a traditional bearer. If you have the slightest inclination to play, just follow that dream – you never know where it might take you!”

What are you most looking forward musically to in the year ahead?

“The year ahead looks busy already with plans to record a CD with the group Hjalitbonhoga. We are also planning a year of outreach workshops, thanks to the Tattoo’s Traditional Arts Programme, to give back to the community and encourage more players to become involved.

“And, of course teaching. It is an honour to be part of someone’s career and a pleasure to watch where they go musically.”

Who’s your musical hero?

“My Dad. He passed away 15 years ago but remains the biggest inspiration and enthusiast I have ever known. He didn’t just go to a concert to be entertained, he would come home and talk for hours about the players he had seen, how they held the instrument, their tone, their choice of material. He taught me to analyse music, to listen carefully, not to be embarrassed to go over small sections again and again. But also, to appreciate what others can do. All that on top of being a beautiful player in his own right. I was lucky that I had the chance to hear him play most days growing up. I wonder what he would think if he could see me now…”

Tickets for our 2025 Show The Heroes Who Made Us are on sale now. Book today and watch Margaret perform live on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade 1 – 23 August.