Shetland-Music.com

Peter, born at Finnigirth, Walls, was renowned for his vast repertoire of traditional tunes from the west side of Shetland, particularly 'listening tunes' and others used for ceremony, such as at local weddings of the 19th century.

His music featured in the very first publication on Shetland fiddle music - a little book by the Swedish researcher Professor Otto Andersson, published in 1938. Post-war, he was prominent in the tune collection activities of Shetland Folk Society, a member of the Folk Society band, and a founder member of Shetland Fiddlers' Society.

Thanks to the tape recorder, his repertoire survives, for he was a willing informant to many musicologists during his life. The Finnigirth tunes - the Muckle Reel o' Finnigirth and the quartet of melodies named after the Hill, yards, burn and mill of Finnigirt - are an intriguing blend of traditional tune and Peter's own composition. These, and the 'ship' tunes - Da Full-riggit Ship and Da New-riggit Ship - are probably the most widely known among young fiddlers today.