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

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)

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.

The Complete Collection

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

All 276 compositions are copyright (c) John C Grant.

The Kilmarnock Collection

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

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.

All music manuscripts are available within Ceòl and guide tracks available from Stiùireadh.

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.

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.

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

All music manuscripts are available within Ceòl and guide tracks available from Stiùireadh.

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 Ceòl and guide tracks available from Stiùireadh.

Music Map of 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

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.

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.