Hello and apologies for the lack of updates to Paul's website recently.  We'll try and let you know what Paul has been up to in the last year and also whats coming up...
The start of 2011 was as usual a busy one for Paul what with the usual Burns Suppers however there were a few very interesting ones which involved a fair bit of travelling.  Paul and Shona spent a very enjoyable weekend in Howth, Dublin and performed at The Howth Singing Circles Burns Supper Extravaganza!  From there they flew to Brussels along with guitarist Ali Napier to entertain at a Burns Suppers in The British Embassay and Scotland House for the Scottish Government. 
In March Paul presented 4 features for BBC Scotlands rural magazine show "Landward".  The features looked at the stories behind some of Scotlands finest traditionalmusic and songs.  The pieces featured were Macphersons Rant (flimed at Banff), MacCrimmon's Lament (Dunvegan, Skye), Mill o' Tifty's Annie (Fyvie) and Thomas the Rhymer (Melrose). Also in March Paul played at the beautiful London/Scottish Hall in London as a fundraiser for The Gordon Highlanders Museum with Isla St Clair and comedian Tom o' Connor. 
Paul was a special guest of Aberdeenshire Council at the annual tourism Expo at the AECC in Aberdeen.  His playing was very well recieved and has hopefully generated some more interest in the traditional music and song of the north east of Scotland. 
In April Paul's wife Shona launched her latest CD "Short Nichts and Lang Kisses" which was the culmination of her residency with Deveron Arts in the town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire.  Paul features on the CD not only playing the fiddle but with backing vocals and a reading.  They are available from Deveron Arts in Huntly.
The annual Oban Fiddlers Rally invited Paul to be their guest fiddler at The Corran Halls this year and it was an unforgetable night as the audience were treated to an inpromtu duet from Paul and Oban's finest fiddler Maurice Duncan. 
June 2011 saw Paul performing in the Aberdeen City Townhouse as part of The Battle of Harlaw conference which was organised by The Elphinstone Institute of The University of Aberdeen.  Also in June Paul travelled to Nant Peris in Wales to play at The Snowdon Fiddle Festival.  A very interesting and enjoyable weekend which saw Paul having a go at the Crwth, an ancient Welsh bowed instument, under the watchful eye of Cass Meurig, one of Wales foremost exponents.  Once they arrived home Paul and Shona down to to Holyrood House to The Royal Garden Party.
In July Paul played at the Sunday service in The Mither Kirk, St Nicholas in Aberdeen as part of the 600th Anniversary of The Battle of Harlaw.  This momentous occasion saw representatives from both sides including the present chiefs of the MacLeans and Irvines who exchanged swords as a symbol of reconcilliation. 
In September Paul made a trip to the USA for a short tour playing at The Delaware Scottish Weekend near Philadelphia and The West Virginia Scottish Weekend in the Blue Ridge mountains.  He also managed to squeeze in trips to Washington DC, Alexandria, Annapolis and The Gettysburg battlefield.  Once home it was a quick turnaround the make it to Glenties Fiddle Festival in Donegal.  However, just prior to going Paul had the honour of playing for HRH Queen Elizabeth II at Crathie Primary School where he teaches traditional fiddle to pupils. 
Looking to the remainder of the year Paul will be adjudicating at The Glenfiddich Scottish Fiddle Championships at Blair Castle on the 30th October and also playing the The Pipers Ceilidh on the 29th.  He will be judging at The Angus Fiddle festival in Kirriemuir on the 12th November and the Deeside Fiddle Competition on the 16th. 
On the 3rd of December Paul will be in Perth for "The Trad Awards" supporting his wife Shona who has been nominated for "Scots Singer of the Year". 
Paul has once again organised a Grand Hogmanay Concert in The Music Hall in Aberdeen on the 31st December.  On the bill are Shona Donaldson (scots singer), Robert Lovie (compere and comedian)  Paul and "The Young Champions" a group of young singers, fiddlers, pipers, accordionists and dancers who have been regular prize winners across numerous competitions throughout Scotland. 
Looking to the future Paul is to be an entertainer on the National Trust for Scotland cruise in July 2012 and is to start recording material for a new album very soon!