Compositions on the subject of Waltz

The waltz was taught by travelling dancing masters to those who could afford their lessons during the 19th century. By the end of that century, the dance spread to the middle and lower classes of Irish and Scottish societies and traditional triple-tune tunes and songs were altered to fit the waltz rhythm. During the 20th century, the waltz found a distinctive playing style in the hands of cèilidh musicians at dances.


Here’s the tradtitional Scottish waltz ‘Fear a’ Bhàta’ (translated The boatman).

This is a Scots Gaelic song from the late 18th century, written by Sìne NicFhionnlaigh (Jean Finlayson) of Tong who was courting a young fisherman from Uig, Dòmhnall MacRath. The song captures the emotions that she endured during their courtship. The part of the story that is rarely told is that they were married not long after she composed the song.

This video was filmed in Kilmarnock one Saturday afternoon at the height of the Pandemic.



You are most welcome to browse, download and play any of the compositions. All compositions remain copyright © John C Grant.

You can download all PDFs here
Name Collection
A Scottish Memory The Kilmarnock Collection
Ann & Hugh's Golden Wedding The Kilmarnock Collection
Iain and Janice Shand The Kilmarnock Collection
Jim and Magdalena Kennedy The Kilmarnock Collection
June Crawford The Kilmarnock Collection
Louise and Carrie Grant The Kilmarnock Collection
Marelle's Birthday Waltz The Kilmarnock Collection
Mo Mhire mo Mhùirn The Kilmarnock Collection
Mr & Mrs A Kerr The Kilmarnock Collection
Mr & Mrs D Meldrum The Kilmarnock Collection
Mr & Mrs J Chaplin-Brice The Kilmarnock Collection
Nelly and Jason's Waltz The Kilmarnock Collection
Ross and Catriona Morris The Kilmarnock Collection
Sharon Thomson The Kilmarnock Collection
Sorcha mo Ghraidh The Kilmarnock Collection
The Walkers of South Uist The Kilmarnock Collection