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Andy Thorburn
Blazin' a Trail
Name: Andy Thorburn
Born: London
Lived in Scotland: over 30 years.
Musician, composer and potato inspector. Not three skills you often see together on the same CV, but then Andy Thorburn is not the kind of person you meet everyday.
He laughs: “Maybe that’s something in my character that I have in common with Scotland? I think Scots are always looking for another option, something a little bit different.
“We don’t accept the status quo without question. There’s always that creative niggle…the thought, ‘is there a better way’, a curiosity and thirst for adventure.
“I suppose that’s what historically has sent Scots all over the world. It’s why there are so many great Scottish inventors.”
Thirty years
With such a passion for all things Scottish, it may surprise you to hear that Andy wasn’t born and bred here, although after over thirty years in Scotland he feels like a native.
“I consider myself to be Scottish, absolutely. Parentally I’m half and half – my father’s family was from Peebles in the Scottish Borders – but I didn’t move here until the 1970s when I moved to Aviemore and worked as a ski instructor.
“I’ve lived in hundreds of places all over the world: in towns, cities, countryside, desert climates, mountain climates, in the industrialised north of England, so when I moved to Scotland it didn’t feel particularly familiar, despite the fact that I’d been here on family holidays and school climbing trips.”
Strong community
“But I did feel the very strong sense of community straight away. That was something I’d never experienced before. There was a very strong collective work and community ethic and it felt very supportive.”
It was Andy’s decision to train as a potato inspector in 1979 that brought him to the part of Scotland he now calls home and where he discovered his love of traditional Scottish music.
“After my training in Edinburgh I was sent to the Black Isle. For the next seven years I divided my time between the Highlands, Canada and Norway, playing in bands abroad and coming back once or twice a year to work on the potato crops.”
A musical life
“I got to know a lot of farmers and realised how strong the links are between the farming communities and musical activities. A number of my musical colleagues are themselves farmers and outdoor workers.
“Now the community, social aspect of music is at the core of my musical activities.”
So what do the Highlands have to offer someone thinking about moving to Scotland?
Andy takes a deep breath: “Oh, so much – the sense of community that’s built on tolerance and acceptance, and an independence of spirit and fashion that’s not governed by the big city.
“The scenery and environment is world-class. I’ve lived in the Colorado Mountains and in Norway, and the Highlands are every bit as good, if not better.”
Booming economy
“There’s also an incredibly strong economy here and lots of opportunities.
“Inverness and the surrounding area is growing and growing, and has been for years. The city has physically doubled in size since I moved here. You can see the house building, the inward investment, the traditional music industry, growing substantial educational bodies.
“Inverness Medical is a world-leader in high-tech medical innovation. And you know, the potato industry is world-class too.
“Scotland is the prime seed potato producer in the world. Potatoes are one of the twelve main global commodities and our seed crop is exported all over the world. It’s a multi million pound industry.”
And with that, he’s off to North America to dazzle some more audiences with the passion and romance of traditional Scottish music.
Insider Info:
Andy says, “If you want to get a flavour of the community, the economy, the culture and the romance of the Highlands, take the North Road from Inverness round Achnasheen to the Kyle of Lochalsh, and maybe even pop over the bridge for a quick look at Skye on the way. Then head back on the South Road by Loch Ness. It’s a comfortable day’s circuit and you’ll meet some great people, see some spectacular scenery.”
Find out more about Andy’s music at:
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