Tin whistle maestro and hall of fame inductee Alex Green, aged 87

Playing traditional Scottish music on the tin whistle is a skill most commonly associated with people with nimble fingers.

It appeared there was no chance then that Alex Green, who has died aged 87, would ever become a musician, never mind a master whistler.

At just five-years-old, the miller’s son lost two fingers when his hand was caught in machinery.

Alex, who was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in October, was one of four children born to oatmeal miller Adam Green and Helen Castle in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire.

He went to school at Cultercullen and Foveran, both in Aberdeenshire, and began to take an interest in music. A chance meeting at the Torryburn Hotel in Kintore with BBC Scotland radio and television personality Robbie Shepherd resulted in this interest becoming more serious.

Mr Shepherd paid tribute to Alex, saying: “I had known Alex for some 60 years and my wife Esma and I became firm friends over the years along with Madeline (Alex’s wife), sharing our music in so many ways, both public performances an aye the ither impromptu session.

“He honed his skeely art by concentrating on the North-East fiddle style, influenced by the Dickie brothers of New Deer. We will miss the ready wit, the honesty but above all the great playing on the humble tin whistle.”

Fiddler Aly Bain said: “Alex and I became great friends during the early days of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland. His enthusiasm was never ending and he would play anywhere at the drop of a hat.”

Mr Green’s son, also Alex, said: “My father met all the greats of the Scottish traditional and folk music scene.

“His proudest moment as a musician was being recognised by his peers on the traditional music scene through his induction into the hall of fame.”

Mr Green is survived by his wife Madeline, son Alex and daughter Alison, stepsons Stephen and Andrew, stepdaughters Caroline, Judith and Ellen, and by many grandchildren.

Alex Green.