Based in a converted church in the village of Temple, Midlothian, 12 miles south of Edinburgh, Temple Records was formed by Robin Morton in 1978 to create an outlet for the great Scottish music that was being ignored by the established record companies.
Either they did not know it was there, or they did not recognise the quality, the importance, or the potential when it was brought to their attention. Our idea was, and still is, to release albums that reflect a great, proud timeless tradition. We are not a label of fashion, though often we have led the way.
Alison Kinnaird
Our first album - The Harp Key by Alison Kinnaird - marked the beginning of a revival in the status of the small harp in Scotland.
When we released the recording Aite Mo Ghaoil by Christine Primrose, many asked us why were we putting out an album of Gaelic songs. "Who is going to be interested in that?", we were asked. Now all the record companies are putting out Gaelic song albums.
Christine Primrose
Once again we are proud to have led the way, and we intend to still be here when the fashion has passed. We have always tried to bring out quality albums that express the essence of traditional music - when you hear the music we hope you will agree that we have succeeded.
Our albums have outlasted the media's wandering whims - it is music that is good by any standard. Mostly recorded in our own studio, the technical and production standards are regularly complimented by reviewers, as is the quality of the music and musicianship - quality is more important than quantity at Temple.
Though national in content, this quality makes our music accessible and indeed in demand on an international level. More recently we have been expanding with releases in the area of Irish music. Obviously the two traditions are closely connected but, although there is a continuous overlap, we are not convinced that the music is best served by the traditions being homogenised under the term 'Celtic music'.
Overall, the number of our releases is small and our roster of artists select, but we cover the broad sweep of the Scottish tradition (with some Irish thrown in), performed by musicians and singers acclaimed world wide for their unique artistry.
Books
Kinmor Music is our music publishing company. Over the years people have asked us for sheet music for some of the material they have heard on our albums. We obviously cannot cover every album in our catalogue but we are slowly developing this side of our activities, and a number of new books are planned.
Robin Morton
Robin Morton
The label's founder comes from Co Armagh in Northern Ireland. While at University in Belfast he formed the Folk Music Society, played in and organised concerts, published two collections of Ulster folksongs and produced a number of albums for Topic Records.
In 1967, with Tommy Gunn and Cathal McConnell, he founded Boys Of The Lough and played at various festivals and clubs on the UK mainland, mostly Scotland. He came to Scotland in 1969 to work on a PhD (lapsed!) at Edinburgh University.
By 1971 Boys Of The Lough were back on the road - McConnell, Richardson, Bain and Morton. They made an album, toured the USA and by 1973 were a full time band touring the world. Robin played and looked after the appearances of the band until 1979. During those years he continued to produce albums for Topic and other 'folk' labels.
Late in 1979 Temple Records was formed, and shortly afterwards the label opened its own studio. By late 1980 Robin had taken on the management of Battlefield Band, a relationship that has flourished to this day. In the mid 1980s, he set up Temple US Records and now all US/Canadian business is co-ordinated from there.
Robin was Director of the Edinburgh Folk Festival for three years (from 1986-1988) and formed Kinmor Music publishing and a small video production company. With the help of a dedicated staff - and every Sunday off - he and the record label are still going strong.
