The Spey In Spate reel

A James Scott Skinner composition

A Scott Skinner tune recorded by Sean McGuire ,on Fiddle, on a `78 about 1954 and also on his superb MUSIC OF IRELAND album in 1960.

Frankie Gavin: Live at Glor (2003-2004 Collection)

The NE English band The High Level Ranters played this reel along with the Shetland tune Da Tusca, on their 1969 LP “The Lads Of Northumbria”. This was produced by Topic Records, but has apparently not been reissued as a CD.

Just curious, how did this tune become so popular compared to other Skinner tunes?

Well, in my opinion anyway, it’s a particularly good Skinner tune. There are others like “The Baker” which could be comparable in popularity. But it’s a reel in D, which makes it easy for Irish instruments to play. It’s also very popular in Donegal, where you’ll also find other Skinner tunes like “The Ironman” and “The Spinning Wheel” (“The Flood on the Holm”). I suspect it spread to Owrish trad from Donegal, or from Sean McGuire, who was a very well-known Irish fiddler who recorded many Scottish tunes as well.

https://youtu.be/IMbUz1GV59I

play video

It’s a very good tune that can take a lot of variation and still be recognisable. Obviously a fiddle tune but works well on the flute, as is ably demonstrated by Matt Molloy on Kenny’s clip. A flute player acquaintance of mine plays this as the lead off on a set of (obviously) fiddle tunes folded for the flute: Spey in Spate – Trip to Windsor – The Shetland Fiddler – Big John MacNeil.

The way I like to play this great Scott Skinner composition on the Fiddle, followed by The Kilcloon (Joe Liddy)

We play it as third tune in a Scott Skinner set: Hector the Hero, The Iron Man and then this one.

Didnt know that Scott Skinner wrote Hector the Hero-a great tune to play on the pipes.
There is a commemorative tower to him on the hill behind Dingwall in the Highlands of Scotland.
He has become of late a hero to the gay community in so much as he lost face in the British army in the early 20th century for having a relationship with a young soldier.