The Dunkeld & District Strathspey and Reel Society was formed in 1932 for the promotion of Scots Fiddle Music. According to the Perth Advertiser, they held their fifth annual concert in 1938 in the Church Hall, Dunkeld, with Miss Begg conducting. The Orchestra competed regularly at the Perth Music Festival prior to 1939 when the war forced its temporary disbandment. It was reformed as an evening class under the auspices of Perth and Kinross education department with Miss Begg again as conductor and Miss Mackintosh as pianist with Messrs. Raeside and Bain, Pitlochry; Doig, Inver; Stewart, Dunkeld and McGreogor, Strathbaan – all from the original group of 1932.
The other members at the this time were Mrs. Stewart, Dunkeld (organ); Mrs. Dargie, Ballinluig; Mrs. Peterson, Birnam; J. Taylor, Guay; A. and A. M. Duncan and Miss M. Murdoch, Dalguise; R. Horne and Jean Henderson, Dunkeld; and R. McGregor, F. Forbes, F. McNaughton and J. Anderson, all fiddlers from Strathbraan. The evening class lasted for only two or three seasons when the Education Authority withdrew it’s support.
In 1966 Miss Begg retired as Head Infant Mistres at the Royal School of Dunkeld and at her presentation seven members of the former evening class helped with the entertainment – Macintosh, Paterson, Stewart, Horne, Doig and two Duncans. To celebrate the occasion, a slow air ‘Miss Begg’ was composed and performed at the presentation.
The headmaster, John Maclean was so impressed with their playing that he urged them to continue as an orchestra and to look for more players. He offered them a room in the school for practising.The offer was accepted and the orchestra has practiced there every winter during term times. Sandy Cook joined as conductor and continued until 1995 when he reached the age of 87 and was presented with the M.B.E. for his services to Scottish Fiddle Music. He died in 1997.