Hamish Imlach

Hamish Imlach was a Scottish folk singer and entertainer, born on February 10, 1940, and passed away on January 1, 1996. He was known for pioneering the concept of the popular folk-entertainer. Born in Calcutta to Scottish parents, Hamish attended school in India and Australia before moving to Scotland at thirteen years old. It was at Hyndland School in Glasgow where he met Ray and Archie Fisher and developed a passion for jazz, skiffle, and Scottish traditional ballads.

In his late teens, Hamish began playing guitar and learned finger picking from an American visitor named Ralph Rinzler. He also drew inspiration from records by Reverend Gary Davis, Pink Anderson, and Brownie McGee. After performing at the first night of Glasgow Folk Club with Josh MacRae and Archie Fisher in 1959, he became a regular performer there.

Hamish made his first recordings in 1961 as part of the Emmettones with Josh MacRae and Bobby Campbell. He went on to appear at numerous folk clubs across Scotland where he entertained audiences with Scottish songs, blues music, irreverent parodies, and scandalous tales. He also participated in peace demonstrations and served as the resident compere-opening act at Clive’s Incredible Folk Club on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.