Adult Fiddle Classes/ Groups Autumn 2026
At Fun Fiddle the focus is on learning by ear, it doesn’t matter if you read music or not.
Learning Methods at Fun Fiddle
The Thursday groups play mainly play by ear, so it doesn’t matter if you read music or not. Sheet music is available if you want it on our Tunes page and in our Fun Fiddle tune books. Once you have come along on a Thursday, you will be kept in touch with what tunes are being played this term. The genre is mainly Scottish traditional, and also European/ Americana/ Scandinavian tunes once in a while. As part of tune learning, we always pay attention to working on fiddle technique, improving tone, ornamentation, bowing, and musicality. Learning the fiddle can be filled with joy, frustration, and good camaraderie! If you’re new to Fun Fiddle, we welcome you on the journey!
Absolute Beginners
We are not currently running an Absolute Beginners class but please get in touch and we will keep you posted for future classes. 
Improver Classes 6 Week Block (alternate weeks) from 10th September
The improvers group will continue on this term with learning more of the common reprtoire from fun fiddle and tunes that you might hear in sessions. We keep a focus on technique and bringing the tunes to life. This group is tutor led, and meets on alternate weeks. The classes are £14 (payable in a block). £6 for the Stramash.
When : 10th, 24th September, 8th, 22nd October, 5th, 19th November. Stramash 3rd December
Time: 7 – 8.30pm
Where: Portobello Baptist Church Hall, Portobello High St
Cost: £90 for 6 classes and Stramash, payable before the start of the block.
Please get in touch with us to book your place and we will send BACS payment info. (Some of you will have bank info already) info@funfiddle.co.uk
Taught by Sarah Hoy, we welcome back players from last term, as well as new recruits. The group will continue to learn by ear, building on learning some simple common tunes, looking at ornamentation and bowing technique, getting a nice sound from your instrument and the best out of the tunes. For more information or to book a place, please contact us.
Intermediate/ Advanced Group 13 week block from 3rd September
This group is self led for three weeks of the month, with a tutored class once a month. The self led groups and Stramash are £6 and £14 for the tutored once a month class. This group is payable as a block.
When: Self led group starts Thursday 3rd September – 26th November with tutored class on the following dates: 3rd September, 1st October, 5th November. Stramash 3rd December.
Time: 7pm – 8.30pm (Note the new finish time to line up with the improvers class!
Where: The Wash House, Adelphi Grove, Portobello
Cost: £108 (3 taught classes, 10 self led and Stramash) payable as a one off block by BACS . (Please ask for the bank details if you do not already have them). info@funfiddle.co.uk
Tutor Reveal!
We are very excited to welcome onboard a new local tutor! Lori Watson is joining us in the big Fun Fiddle family! She will lead the tutored classes for the intermediate/advanced group this term.
Photo credit Louise Bichan
Lori Watson
Lori Watson is a fiddle player, folk singer and composer, and has a PhD in Scottish traditional music. Raised in the Scottish Borders, she was a founding member of community projects the Small Hall Band and Border Fiddles before studying Scottish music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she later taught on the degree course. Lori led the flagship youth traditional music programme for Stirlingshire Council from 2006-2018, Tolbooth Trad. She was named Scots Singer of the Year in 2016–17, and her album Yarrow Acoustic Sessions was The Guardian’s Folk Album of the Year in 2018. She is now a Lecturer in Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, where her work includes building national collections of traditional music. Lori brings extensive teaching experience and we are really excited to have her on board! Welcome Lori and we hope you have a great Autumn term.
Some Playing Together Dates Ahead
Portobello Market: Saturday 5th September (weather permitting)
Saturday 3rd October All day : Far North Meets Fun Fiddle
After the success of last year, Far North and Fun Fiddle are joining forces again for a day of learning focussing on Scottish Smallpipes (Key of A), and The Fiddle. This day is aimed at intermediate and advanced players. Traditional music, community, fun, connection and learning are at the heart of our organisations and we look forward to a great day based on all of this and more!
A handful of fiddling places left! Sign up here.
September 20th: Fergusson’s Auld Reikie – Portobello Town Hall
November 20th – 22nd 2026: Scots Fiddle Festiva
Sign up to our mailing list to stay informed.
Donate to Fun Fiddle
Donations to Fun Fiddle contribute towards opportunities for playing together at local community events and beyond, as well as supporting the infrastructure and tutoring. We are grateful for your support which enables us to make things happen and
“Fun fiddle has been a very significant support and inspiration for me to remain positive during the past months. The fact we have all remained in touch gave me a focus for practising”
“It has boosted my confidence to reach out to other fiddling opportunities on line as well as bringing a sense of ‘family’ enjoying good happy friendships, keeping us practising meaningfully, trying out new tunes, providing that bit of spontaneity when so much of your day has to be planned. ”
“Playing the fiddle has been keeping me sane and focussed on something positive, enriching and shared in this turbulent world of separation and lockdown.”
“It’s been an opportunity to share a musical experience with others, an escape into a world of cheerful tunes which are uplifting and help us to live in the moment”
Feel free to contact us with any questions or to find out more about groups, classes or anything else.