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Islesburgh Community Centre, taking its name from Islesburgh House, where it was based, came into being in 1946. As part of the activities in the centre the Islesburgh Concert Party was formed. The Islesburgh Band was formed in 1949 from members of the R.A.F.A. and Islesburgh concert parties. Tom Anderson was its leader for the first half of its existence.

The Islesburgh Concert Party Band

The photograph shows an Islesburgh Concert Party Band in the late 1940s. The musicians in the photo are (from left to right): Peter Leith (piano), Winnie Leslie (accordion), Willie Johnson (guitar), Tom Anderson (fiddle), Stewart Smith (guitar), Alice Sutherland (accordion), Larry Peterson (fiddle).
The Islesburgh Dance Band's first regular line-up in 1949 was Tom Anderson (fiddle), Winnie Leslie, later Leask (accordion), Alice Sutherland, later Nicolson (accordion), Willie Johnson (guitar) and John Kerr (drums).

After a year or so Winnie left to get married and was soon replaced by a very young Violet Scott (later Tulloch). Drew Robertson became drummer in succession to John Kerr. Frank Sinclair joined the band playing piano or accordion as required. "Peerie" Willie played double bass rather than guitar whenever possible. This tended to be mostly at Lerwick functions since transporting the bass to rural venues was difficult.

From 1954 to 1957 the band made annual visits to Delgaty Castle in Aberdeenshire to play at Clan Hay gatherings, latterly in smart band uniforms. During the first of these visits the band broadcast on the BBC Scottish Home Service programme "Scottish Dance Music" from the Beechgrove studios in Aberdeen. Further broadcasts followed in 1959 and 1960. Also several 78rpm records were recorded and published by William Johnson (a.k.a. Wireless Willie or Radio Bill) proprietor of the Lerwick shop "Radio Corner".

Tom Anderson left in 1957 and a few years later Violet and Alice left to get married. By the time of its final performances, in about 1964, the band was Frank Sinclair (accordion), Willie Johnson (double bass) and Drew Robertson (drums). Sometimes they were joined by Alex Campbell (piano and starting pistol!).

All bands need a pool of reserve players, to be called on when needed. Among those who played occasionally for the Islesburgh Band were Larry Peterson (fiddle), Peter Leith (accordion), Bobby Tulloch (accordion), Geordie Manson (guitar), Stewart Smith (guitar), Tom Georgeson (piano), Marjory Smith (piano), Billy Kay (piano) and Jim Irvine (drums).