By Donald Macdonald

Atlantic Firth featuring Karen Steven on fiddle, Alastair MacDonald on accordion, Ian Clark on guitar, John Mitchell on piano

If their intention was to “put Scotland on the map musically” and stay connected to Scotland “even though they are miles away,” both objectives were handily achieved at Atlantic Firth’s Meridian Theatre Studio show entitled “St. Andrew’s Night Showcase” on November 21st 2025.

In what was billed as “the first of hopefully many variety shows” that feature a rich sampling of traditional Scottish musical and dancing arts, Atlantic Firth delivered an evening of powerful and tightly-executed entertainment to a sold-out crowd.

Over the past two years or more, Atlantic Firth have become a phenomenon on the local scene. As a Scottish-Canadian dance band they have become well known in the Ottawa area and beyond, at house concerts and traditional music venues, including Scottish Country dances, Highland games and fiddle festivals. Of the four accomplished musicians that make up Atlantic Firth, three originate from Scotland: Karen Steven on fiddle, Alastair MacDonald on lead accordion (both of Caithness), and (earlier émigré) Ian Clark on guitar, together with the Ottawa Valley’s own John Mitchell, always in demand for his piano accompaniment.

The Reel Ottawa Dance Company under the direction of Chelsea Laplante and Kayleigh Armstrong.

During their busy musical travels, the band had spotted top talent from the Ottawa area’s Scottish music and dance scene, and gathered them together to join in the evening’s showcase of passionate Scottish culture.

Atlantic Firth presented many sets from their 15-track debut album “Read, and…” and were on hand to musically back up the other dancers and singers. These included the graceful choreographies of The Reel Ottawa Dance Company, a group of twelve premier-level Highland dancers under the direction of Chelsea Laplante and Kayleigh Armstrong. The audience was also treated to the elegance and precision of the Ottawa Scottish Country Dancers (drawn from the Ardbrae Dancers and the Royal Scottish Country Dance groups of Ottawa), led by Emily Porter, a teacher with both organizations.

Two touching Robert Burns ballads were sung with love by Scottish expat and rich baritone Bobby Watt on guitar (Ae Fond Kiss, A Man’s a Man), accompanied by the fine tones of Karen’s fiddle.

Karen Stevens is joined by fiddlers Alexis MacIssac, Ronan Karson, and Bonita LeBlanc,

The audience was also treated to unique concert performances from the Ottawa Caledonian Pipes and Drums, a community-based teaching band that has done very well at recent Highland Games competitions across Canada. Led by Pipe Major Rob McCarthy and lead drummer Allan McCarthy ,‘Ott Cal’ started the show with a medley of new and traditional tunes demonstrating good technical skill, pleasing harmonies and syncopation. For their second set they added a challenging contemporary set in an expressive March, Strathspey and Reel (MSR).

Atlantic Firth was musically very well balanced with each instrument blending charming rhythm, driving percussion and excellent tone. Shetland Island tunes (mostly composed by Tom Anderson) were played by Karen who was joined by three very talented Scottish Fiddlers of Ottawa (Alexis MacIssac, Bonita LeBlanc, Ronan Karson). The set “From Caithness to Auchtermuchty” included compositions by Addie Harper Snr (Alastair’s teacher) and Jimmy Shand bringing these Scottish compositions to Canada. Atlantic Firth did not forget about fast-moving Cape Breton reels which were in turn interpreted by the skillful and effervescent Reel Dancers.

Some slow airs offered during this show included “Angel Boy” composed by Karen Steven and based on the too-early passing of her 4-year-old loving grandnephew in a traffic accident. A couple of soft melodies written by well-known Scottish accordionist Phil Cunningham helped to slow down the pace. Alastair contributed his tune “Ardbrae Angels” named after the Scottish Country Dance group of that name, with his majestic accordion taking the lead.

Though they specialize in the strathspeys and reels (respectively being slow and fast-paced musical styles) for the Scottish Country Dance community, Atlantic Firth showed their musical prowess with some precise interpretations of the 2/4 bagpipe march called “The Little Cascade,” followed by the “Clumsy Lover” reel.

The packed house of Scottish music and dance enthusiasts was well pleased with the finale that started with “Scotland the Brave” and ended with “Auld Lang Syne.” Scotland was certainly “on the map” last November 21st right in time for St. Andrew’s Day. Caledonia felt a lot closer.

Be sure to follow Atlantic Firth on Facebook to find out where they are playing next.

In addition the Scottish paper The John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier featured this concert in a recent article entitled: ‘Such a special night’ as musicians from Caithness feature in Scottish celebration in Ottawa. You can see the story here

St. Andrew’s Night Showcase: Atlantic Firth performs