Music is Life


John C Grant Charlie Grant of Onthank, Kilmarnock - Scots and Gaelic speaker


We owe it to ourselves, our predecessors and to our successors, to nurture our own cultures - to push their boundaries and keep them relevant, before passing them on for others to cherish. As an Ayrshireman, I have this obligation, and so, I compose music for these lands and these people that I know - oor weel kent fowks.


The music is arranged into collections and published when completed - detailing the background to every piece of music, however, the music is available alongside Soundcloud guide tracks for anyone to use. The Kilmarnock Collections contain compositions relating to both the local area and it’s welcoming hand, outstretched to the world. Other collections are more specific so, for example, the Tarbolton Collection recounts the cultural importance of the village during Robert Burns’ time whilst demonstrating the present dynamism and the vital continuation of the Scots language within the area.


Welcome to Ayrshire, Scotland
John C Grant

About

John C Grant Strand Street, looking towards the New Laigh Kirk, Kilmarock

Traditional fiddler player, John C Grant, is one of Ayrshire’s most accomplished composers of Scottish traditional music.

John has dedicated his entire adult life to a personal journey, capturing contemporary life within Ayrshire, through the medium of traditional music.


“Life is short - it has to be. It is every spark that illuminates our skies - gone, all too quickly, sometimes without warning - and leaving constellations of darkness within our souls.

This book is a scliff of life, a moment from Kilmarnock, a point in time that will never again return.” - The Kilmarnock Collection (2018)

“Mr and Mrs P Markac” from the Kilmarnock Collection.

A solitary journey to capture those moments in time - the people, the events and Ayrshire streets, before they are lost forever.

John is also the fiddle player and dance instructor with the Borland Ceilidh Band.

He has played with numerous bands throughout the years, over a range of musical styles all over Europe, and has recorded for many bands during this time. Additionally, John has tutored at the Fèis Chill’ Mheàrnaig for several years.

Compositions


The Kilmarnock Collection

John C Grant New Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock

A collection of traditional music from the town that gave the world Johnnie Walker whisky and Robert Burns' first edition of poetry.

“The Forum Cafe” from the Kilmarnock Collection.

The Cover

15 years in the making, John’s first major published edition is the Kilmarnock Collection with cover by award winning Scottish artist Eòghann MacColl.

Kilmarnock Train Station

The book contains 164 compositions, based around life, both in Kilmarnock, and it’s outstretched connections throughout the world. The idea was to capture the humanity, the sights, smells, characters, streets and establishments that is the Kilmarnock we know - a snapshot of a moment in time.

Kilmarnock Standard Article

All music manuscripts are available within Music and guide tracks available from Guide Tracks.

The Kilmarnock Collection is available from Amazon and other major book outlets.

“Danny Coffey” from the Kilmarnock Collection.

The Tarbolton Collection

Due for release mid 2023, The Tarbolton Collection is a unique publication of compositions written for the Ayrshire town of Tarbolton.

John C Grant Burns Street, Tarbolton

In a first, every street within the town is immortalised in composition, along with local dignitaries, famous sons and daughters, and of course, relevant Robert Burns historical figures from the area.

The Tarbolton Collection recounts the cultural importance of the village during Robert Burns’ time whilst demonstrating the present dynamism and the vital continuation of the Scots language within the area.

John C Grant Hill Street, Tarbolton

You can view some of the composed locations within the map: -

All music manuscripts are available within Music and guide tracks available from Guide Tracks.

The Kilmarnock Collection (Volume II)

The second volume of compositions in the series, entitled the Kilmarnock Collection (Volume II) is scheduled for publication early 2023.

All music manuscripts are available within Music and guide tracks available from Guide Tracks.

Maps


Music Map of Kilmarnock

John C Grant Centrestage Ayrshire Arts Academy, Kilmarnock

All compositions written for locations within Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Click on the locations within the map to view the music composed for the area. Music is opened in a new tab.

Music Map of Tarbolton

John C Grant The Bachelors' Club, Tarbolton

All compositions written for locations within Tarbolton, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Click on the locations within the map to view the music composed for the area. Music is opened in a new tab.

PDF Books


PDF Books

These PDF books contain selections of tunes by collections and types.

PDF books are automatically updated as new compositions are posted so these are subject to continual change (last updated: 27 November 2022).

All compositions are copyright (c) John C Grant.

Name PDF Book
All Compositions (285 compositions) PDF
The 3/2 Reel Collection (11 compositions) PDF
The Air Collection (22 compositions) PDF
The Ayrshire Places Collection (54 compositions) PDF
The Bachelors Club Collection (14 compositions) PDF
The Bagpipe Collection (35 compositions) PDF
The Hornpipe Collection (5 compositions) PDF
The Jig Collection (82 compositions) PDF
The Kilmarnock Collection (164 compositions) PDF
The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II (59 compositions) PDF
The Kilmarnock Street Collection (7 compositions) PDF
The March Collection (28 compositions) PDF
The Musicians Collection (76 compositions) PDF
The Polka Collection (15 compositions) PDF
The Reel Collection (101 compositions) PDF
The Robert Burns Collection (16 compositions) PDF
The Strathspey Collection (15 compositions) PDF
The Swedish Collection (18 compositions) PDF
The Tarbolton Collection (62 compositions) PDF
The Tarbolton Street Collection (26 compositions) PDF
The Waltz Collection (16 compositions) PDF
The Western Isles Collection (8 compositions) PDF

Guide Tracks


“Jim and Magdalena Kennedy” from the Kilmarnock Collection.


The Kilmarnock Collection (Guides)

All guide tracks for the Kilmarnock Collection.

The Tarbolton Collection (Guides)

All guide tracks for the Tarbolton Collection.

The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II (Guides)

All guide tracks for the Kilmarnock Collection Volume II.

The Bagpipe Collection (Guides)

All guide tracks for the Bagpipe Collection.

Music


The Complete Collection

Select the title for manuscript, Soundcloud guide track and downloadable PDF of the composition.

You can download all of the PDFs together at PDF Books.

All 285 compositions are copyright (c) John C Grant.

Name Collection
66 Woodlands Road The Kilmarnock Collection
A Scottish Memory The Kilmarnock Collection
A Tribute to Provost Jim Todd and Depute Provost Claire Leitch The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
A Trip to Ardrossan The Kilmarnock Collection
Adam Barry The Kilmarnock Collection
Adam Smith of Bonnyton The Kilmarnock Collection
Alan Brown MP The Kilmarnock Collection
Alan Thomas The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Alasdair MacKay The Kilmarnock Collection
Aleksei Voronin The Kilmarnock Collection
Alex Main The Kilmarnock Collection
Alexander Brown The Tarbolton Collection
Alexander Cassidy The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Alison McDonald The Kilmarnock Collection
Alistair McCulloch The Tarbolton Collection
Ally McNeill The Kilmarnock Collection
Alton Avenue The Tarbolton Collection
Alton Burn The Tarbolton Collection
Andrea Gadd The Kilmarnock Collection
Andrew Ross The Kilmarnock Collection
Ann & Hugh's Golden Wedding The Kilmarnock Collection
Ann McCusker The Kilmarnock Collection
Ashley Murray The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Aurora Clifford The Kilmarnock Collection
Back Street The Tarbolton Collection
Bank Street The Kilmarnock Collection
Bard Drive The Tarbolton Collection
Beechwood Road The Tarbolton Collection
Between the Sunset and the Sea The Kilmarnock Collection
Biffy Clyro The Kilmarnock Collection
Bruce Fummey The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Bruce Kennedy The Tarbolton Collection
Burns Street The Tarbolton Collection
Calum John Grant The Kilmarnock Collection
Cammy Hill The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Campbell Baird Brown Warnock The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Catherine Rodger The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Centrestage Music Theatre The Kilmarnock Collection
Chris McQueer The Tarbolton Collection
Chris Waddell The Tarbolton Collection
Claire Amos The Kilmarnock Collection
Claire Leitch The Kilmarnock Collection
Claire Robertson The Kilmarnock Collection
Claire Walker of South Uist The Kilmarnock Collection
Clark Mains The Kilmarnock Collection
Clark Sorley The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Colin Hunter The Kilmarnock Collection
Craig McAvoy The Kilmarnock Collection
Craigie View The Tarbolton Collection
Croft Street The Tarbolton Collection
Cromadh Beinn Tarsuinn The Kilmarnock Collection
Cumnock Tartan Army The Kilmarnock Collection
Dan Sealey The Kilmarnock Collection
Danny Coffey The Kilmarnock Collection
Danny Martin The Kilmarnock Collection
Darren McGarvey The Tarbolton Collection
David Brodie The Kilmarnock Collection
David Burns The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
David Hopes The Kilmarnock Collection
Dawn Rankin The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Denise MacColl The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Derek McLean and Edward Dennehy The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Douglas Brown The Kilmarnock Collection
Douglas Grierson The Kilmarnock Collection
Douglas Reid The Kilmarnock Collection
Dr Philippa Whitford MP The Tarbolton Collection
Dr Tim Adams The Kilmarnock Collection
Duncan Roxburgh The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Eddie Platt The Kilmarnock Collection
Edie Jane Rowan The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Edith Casey The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Elena Whitham The Kilmarnock Collection
Elizabeth Lambert The Kilmarnock Collection
Elizabeth Lydia Rowe The Kilmarnock Collection
Elizabeth Young The Kilmarnock Collection
Emrie Mayon Hamilton The Kilmarnock Collection
Erik Holst The Kilmarnock Collection
Ewan and Sheila Coventry (Reel) The Kilmarnock Collection
Ewan and Sheila Coventry (Strathspey) The Kilmarnock Collection
Ewin Murray The Kilmarnock Collection
Eòghann Mac Colla The Kilmarnock Collection
Fail Avenue The Tarbolton Collection
Fanny Henriksson The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Fiona Longmuir The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Fiona Mackenzie The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Fr Michael MacDonald The Kilmarnock Collection
Frank Beattie The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Frank Egan The Kilmarnock Collection
Fraser Rowan The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Gallowhill Avenue The Tarbolton Collection
Garden Street The Tarbolton Collection
Gary Elliot The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Gerard McNamara The Kilmarnock Collection
Gilbert Burns The Tarbolton Collection
Gillian Mairi Wright The Kilmarnock Collection
Gillian Ramsay The Kilmarnock Collection
Graham Barton The Kilmarnock Collection
Grant Forsyth The Kilmarnock Collection
Greg and Dianne Niven The Kilmarnock Collection
Gregg Brown The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Gregor Keachie The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Göran Hallmarken The Kilmarnock Collection
Hannes Oljelund The Kilmarnock Collection
Harry McNamara The Kilmarnock Collection
Heather Brown The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Hilary McArthur The Kilmarnock Collection
Hill Street The Tarbolton Collection
Hugh Reid The Tarbolton Collection
Iain McKie The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Iain Pope The Kilmarnock Collection
Iain and Janice Shand The Kilmarnock Collection
Inset Nightscape The Kilmarnock Collection
Isla Louise Grant The Kilmarnock Collection
James Arthur Steele MacColl The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
James Fulton The Kilmarnock Collection
James Street The Tarbolton Collection
Jason Stirling The Kilmarnock Collection
Jean Elizabeth Southworth The Kilmarnock Collection
Jim Brown The Kilmarnock Collection
Jim Gemmell The Tarbolton Collection
Jim Gouck The Kilmarnock Collection
Jim and Magdalena Kennedy The Kilmarnock Collection
Joel Bremer The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Johan Holst The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
John Campbell The Kilmarnock Collection
John Davidson The Kilmarnock Collection
John Dickie Street The Kilmarnock Collection
John Finnie Street The Kilmarnock Collection
John Paterson The Kilmarnock Collection
John Stevenson The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
John Wilson The Tarbolton Collection
Johnie Ged The Tarbolton Collection
Johnie Simson The Tarbolton Collection
Jolyn Crawford The Tarbolton Collection
Joseph Togher The Kilmarnock Collection
Josh Molloy The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Juan Christian Kuffner The Kilmarnock Collection
Julie Wales The Kilmarnock Collection
June Crawford The Kilmarnock Collection
Kate Higgins The Kilmarnock Collection
Katherine Derbyshire The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Kay Park The Kilmarnock Collection
Kenneth Mclntosh of Brevag The Kilmarnock Collection
Kenneth Mitchell The Kilmarnock Collection
Kevin Brown The Kilmarnock Collection
Kevin Longmuir The Kilmarnock Collection
Kieran Grant The Kilmarnock Collection
Kilmarnock The Kilmarnock Collection
Kilmarnock Amateur Operatic Society The Kilmarnock Collection
Kilmarnock Cross The Kilmarnock Collection
Kilmarnock Train Station The Kilmarnock Collection
Kirkport The Tarbolton Collection
Klas W. Af Edholm The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Langlands Drive The Tarbolton Collection
Len Pennie The Tarbolton Collection
Lodge Tarbolton Kilwinning St James No 135 The Tarbolton Collection
Lorna Love The Kilmarnock Collection
Lorna Reid The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Loudoun Branch SNP The Kilmarnock Collection
Louise Fletcher The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Louise and Carrie Grant The Kilmarnock Collection
Lynda Verrill The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Madog ap Llywelyn The Kilmarnock Collection
Magnus Smedman The Kilmarnock Collection
Mairi aig Mairi Dhomhnall The Kilmarnock Collection
Malin Hedström The Kilmarnock Collection
Mansefield Road The Tarbolton Collection
Manson's Inn The Tarbolton Collection
Marco Sinforiani The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Marelle's Birthday Waltz The Kilmarnock Collection
Margaret Brown The Kilmarnock Collection
Margaret Sloan Place The Tarbolton Collection
Marie Macklin CBE The Kilmarnock Collection
Mark Fletcher The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Mark Hoey The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Martin Dow The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Martin Swan The Kilmarnock Collection
Martin Trainer The Kilmarnock Collection
Matilda Lilja The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Matilda Sevelin The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Matthew Scott The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Melita Špeh Pavlič The Kilmarnock Collection
Mikey Lennon The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Miron Stratan The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Mo Mhire mo Mhùirn The Kilmarnock Collection
Montgomerie Street The Tarbolton Collection
Mr & Mrs A Kerr The Kilmarnock Collection
Mr & Mrs C Roberts The Kilmarnock Collection
Mr & Mrs D Meldrum The Kilmarnock Collection
Mr & Mrs J Chaplin-Brice The Kilmarnock Collection
Mr & Mrs J Hornsby The Kilmarnock Collection
Mr and Mrs P Markac The Kilmarnock Collection
Mrs Grant of Onthank The Kilmarnock Collection
Neal Ingram The Kilmarnock Collection
Nelly and Jason's Waltz The Kilmarnock Collection
Niall Murphy The Kilmarnock Collection
Nicki Teager The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Nicola Sturgeon The Kilmarnock Collection
Nisse Meseke The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Norman Wilson The Kilmarnock Collection
Owen Griffin The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Park Road The Tarbolton Collection
Parliament Close The Tarbolton Collection
Patrick Joseph Togher The Kilmarnock Collection
Patrik Howe The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Paul Gough The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Pauline Oubari The Kilmarnock Collection
Peter Svennson The Kilmarnock Collection
Princes Street The Tarbolton Collection
Provost Jim Todd The Kilmarnock Collection
Rab Wilson The Tarbolton Collection
Richard Icker Vicker The Kilmarnock Collection
Robert Reid The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Robert Sheerins The Kilmarnock Collection
Ros na Carraig The Kilmarnock Collection
Ross and Catriona Morris The Kilmarnock Collection
Sandbed Street The Kilmarnock Collection
Sandgate Street The Tarbolton Collection
Sandy Benson The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Sara Vikström Olsson The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Saunders Tait The Tarbolton Collection
Save Johnnie Walker The Kilmarnock Collection
Savina and Vladimir Čolić The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
School Avenue The Tarbolton Collection
Scott Ballantyne The Kilmarnock Collection
Scott Bowden The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Sean Maddocks The Kilmarnock Collection
Sharon Thomson The Kilmarnock Collection
Sloth Unwin The Kilmarnock Collection
Smithfield Crescent The Tarbolton Collection
Sorcha mo Ghraidh The Kilmarnock Collection
Springfield Road The Tarbolton Collection
Spud and Taz Murphy The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Stephen Grant The Kilmarnock Collection
Stephen Merrick The Kilmarnock Collection
Stevie Smith The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Stewart Sinclair The Kilmarnock Collection
Strand Street The Kilmarnock Collection
Strath Lumsden The Kilmarnock Collection
Stuart Carnegie The Kilmarnock Collection
Susi and Gavin McGilvray The Kilmarnock Collection
Tarbolton Amateurs FC The Tarbolton Collection
Tarbolton Bowling Club The Tarbolton Collection
Tarbolton Cross The Tarbolton Collection
Tarbolton Gospel Hall The Tarbolton Collection
Tarbolton Library The Tarbolton Collection
Tarbolton Nursery School The Tarbolton Collection
Tarbolton Parish Church The Tarbolton Collection
Tarbolton Primary School The Tarbolton Collection
Taylor Buntain The Kilmarnock Collection
Tha Dithis Brathair Agam The Kilmarnock Collection
The Ayrshire Weightlifter The Kilmarnock Collection
The Bachelors' Club The Kilmarnock Collection
The Black Bull The Tarbolton Collection
The Borland Ceilidh Band The Kilmarnock Collection
The Camerons of Galston The Kilmarnock Collection
The Comic Artist's Slide The Kilmarnock Collection
The Forum Cafe The Kilmarnock Collection
The Gregg Violin The Tarbolton Collection
The Hill The Kilmarnock Collection
The Kings House Hotel The Kilmarnock Collection
The McNamaras of Galston The Kilmarnock Collection
The Nyah Fearties The Kilmarnock Collection
The Tackety Bit The Kilmarnock Collection
The Uninvited Guests The Kilmarnock Collection
The Walkers of South Uist The Kilmarnock Collection
The Women of Hareshaw Gardens The Kilmarnock Collection
The Woodstock Arms The Kilmarnock Collection
Thomas Wright The Tarbolton Collection
Tibbie Stein The Tarbolton Collection
Titchfield Street The Kilmarnock Collection
Tom Edwards The Kilmarnock Collection
Tommy Sheridan The Kilmarnock Collection
Tracy O'Neil The Kilmarnock Collection
Valerie Hamilton The Kilmarnock Collection
Vilborg Vif Gudmundsdottir The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Walter Mitchell The Tarbolton Collection
Water of Fail The Tarbolton Collection
Well Street The Tarbolton Collection
Westport The Tarbolton Collection
William Gregg The Tarbolton Collection
William Muir The Tarbolton Collection
Willie Coffey The Kilmarnock Collection
Yes East Ayrshire The Kilmarnock Collection
Örjan Hallnäs The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II

Bagpipe Music


The Bagpipe Collection

Select the title for manuscript, Soundcloud guide track and downloadable PDF of the composition.

“The Tackety Bit” from the Kilmarnock Collection.


These compositions are fall within the range of the Great Highland Bagpipes, Border/Lowland/Reelpipes and Smallpipes. Some compositions my require cross fingering.

You can download all of the PDFs together at PDF Books.

All 35 bagpipe compositions are copyright (c) John C Grant.

Name Collection
Alexander Brown The Tarbolton Collection
Andrea Gadd The Kilmarnock Collection
Calum John Grant The Kilmarnock Collection
Chris McQueer The Tarbolton Collection
Claire Leitch The Kilmarnock Collection
Colin Hunter The Kilmarnock Collection
Cumnock Tartan Army The Kilmarnock Collection
Darren McGarvey The Tarbolton Collection
Derek McLean and Edward Dennehy The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Douglas Reid The Kilmarnock Collection
Elizabeth Lydia Rowe The Kilmarnock Collection
Ewin Murray The Kilmarnock Collection
Gilbert Burns The Tarbolton Collection
Hilary McArthur The Kilmarnock Collection
Hugh Reid The Tarbolton Collection
Jim Gemmell The Tarbolton Collection
John Wilson The Tarbolton Collection
Johnie Ged The Tarbolton Collection
Kenneth Mitchell The Kilmarnock Collection
Len Pennie The Tarbolton Collection
Lodge Tarbolton Kilwinning St James No 135 The Tarbolton Collection
Margaret Brown The Kilmarnock Collection
Martin Swan The Kilmarnock Collection
Martin Trainer The Kilmarnock Collection
Nisse Meseke The Kilmarnock Collection Volume II
Pauline Oubari The Kilmarnock Collection
Sandgate Street The Tarbolton Collection
Susi and Gavin McGilvray The Kilmarnock Collection
Tarbolton Amateurs FC The Tarbolton Collection
The Gregg Violin The Tarbolton Collection
The Kings House Hotel The Kilmarnock Collection
The Tackety Bit The Kilmarnock Collection
The Woodstock Arms The Kilmarnock Collection
Walter Mitchell The Tarbolton Collection
William Muir The Tarbolton Collection