Phil Smillie – Past Concerts

Phil's musical influence comes from the West Coast of Scotland and the Hebrides, in particular. His mother, born on Scalpay in Harris, always had Gaelic songs and ceilidh music on in the house as he grew up. Phil, along with Roy, Hudson Swan and Dougie MacLean turned The Tannahill Weavers into a full-time professional band in the early 70's, recording their first album Are Ye Sleeping Maggie in 1976. Phil's tenor harmonies are part of what gives the band its distinctive vocal sound.

There are not too many instruments that Phil has not had a go at, though his main instruments are flute and whistle. He was also one of the first to play the E-flat wooden flute along with the Highland Bagpipes. This marriage of instruments has remained part of the Tannie sound throughout all of the band's eighteen recordings.