Topic: Tom Anderson

Dr. Tom (Tammie) Anderson MBE, (1910-1991) was a renowned Shetland fiddler and teacher. He was affectionately known to his peers as "Muckle Tammie" (Big Tommy).

Dr. Tom Anderson was known to many in Shetland as the saviour of Shetland's musical heritage long before he died.

Born in 29th of August, 1910 on a croft ("Moorfield") at Eshaness in the north of Mainland, Anderson learned to play the fiddle from his grandfather. Although he made his living as an insurance agent, his paramount work was in the conservation of traditional Shetland fiddle style of playing - playing and passing the style on to younger generations. He was the oldest child of James Anderson (b. 26 Sep 1879, Hamnavoe, Northmavine) and his wife Harriet Margaret Johnson (b. 24 Apr 1882, Avensgarth, Northmavine). He married Barbara Morrison, a teacher, (b. 17 Oct 1901, Garderhouse, Sandsting) on the 10th of December 1929 at the United Free Church, Ollaberry. They had one child, James John Laurence, who died while still an infant.