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Mr. Fred Morrison - OA Hall of Fame

On Tuesday we inducted world-renowned musician Fred Morrison into our OA Hall of Fame – who was recognised for his services to the traditional music industry.

At the ceremony, Mr. Morrison recalled his days in the Green Blazer and how the Jesuit motto AMDG, which he inscribed on every piece of work at the College, inspired him to pursue his passion, which has developed into an exceptional career that has featured Hollywood soundtracks and record-breaking awards.

The origins of Fred Morrison's music are securely rooted in the exacting piping tradition of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. His musical mentor was his father, a noted player who came from a famous Uist piping family.

Fred began competing while still at school. Having won many of the major awards both in Scotland and abroad, including the coveted Gold Medals at Oban and Inverness, he went on to pursue a highly successful performing career. Although his first-love instrument remains the great Highland bagpipes, over the years his mastery has expanded to encompass Scottish smallpipes, Reelpipes, uilleann pipes and the low whistle. Fred is also a well-known composer, his tunes played widely in the traditional and world music scenes. He was one of the first Scottish artists to forge dynamic links with his Celtic cousins in Brittany and North-west Spain.

Voted Scotland’s ‘Best Instrumentalist’ in 2004 at the Traditional Music Awards, Fred also played with supergroups Clan Alba and Capercaillie and appeared in and arranged music for Hollywood film Rob Roy. Fred’s most recent album, the critically acclaimed Outlands, explores the inherent connection between traditional Scottish and bluegrass music. 

In August 2019, at the Lorient Interceltique Festival in Brittany, he won the MacCrimmon trophy for a world record-breaking tenth time.

Fred maintains a busy touring schedule, with performances and masterclasses throughout the world.