Temple Records

Temple Records is a Scottish independent record label established in 1978 by Robin Morton in Temple, Midlothian. Morton had previously been a member of The Boys of the Lough and had worked as a producer for the folk label Topic Records. The label emerged from a specific gap in the market: Morton wanted to record clarsach player Alison Kinnaird after another label decided that a record by her was unlikely to sell. Temple Records released Kinnaird's first LP, The Harp Key, in 1978, and the album became a best-selling traditional-music recording. Its success gave the new label an early commercial foundation and established a relationship between Temple Records and artists working within Scotland's traditional and acoustic music communities. The label's catalogue has been focused primarily on Scottish traditional music, including instrumental, vocal, Gaelic, and contemporary folk work. One of its earliest important signings was the Battlefield Band, which later developed a substantial international audience. With the exception of the group's debut and third albums, which appeared on the Escalibur label, its albums were issued by Temple Records. Morton also became the band's manager in 1980, linking the label's recording activity with artist management and international development. The Battlefield Band's popularity in the United States encouraged Morton to establish Temple US Records. The American operation was based in Arlington, Massachusetts, and was created to support the label's presence in the US market, particularly as Scottish folk music gained an audience there. The sources describe Temple US Records as having been established in the late 1970s and also associate its expansion with the mid-1980s success of the Battlefield Band; the exact chronology of its formation is therefore not fully consistent in the available material. Temple Records has not been limited to contemporary artists. Its catalogue has also included historical recordings associated with James Scott Skinner, helping connect modern traditional-music releases with older Scottish repertoire and archival performance traditions. In 1992, Mac-Talla was formed at Morton's suggestion as a Scottish Gaelic supergroup made up entirely of artists from the Temple Records roster. This initiative reflected the label's role as more than a distributor of individual albums: it also served as a network and creative platform for performers working across Scotland's traditional-music scene. The label's public identity is consequently tied to Scottish cultural music, acoustic performance, Gaelic and traditional repertoire, and artist-led independent production. Available reference material does not establish a current corporate owner, detailed present-day operations, or a definitive active or defunct status. Temple Records should be distinguished from other labels and businesses using the Temple Records name.

Temple Records was founded in 1978 by Robin Morton in Temple, Midlothian. Morton brought experience from both performance and production: he had been a member of The Boys of the Lough and had worked as a producer for Topic Records. The immediate reason for creating the label was the opportunity to record Alison Kinnaird, a clarsach player whose work had not been taken up by another label because of concerns about its commercial prospects. Temple Records issued Kinnaird's first LP, The Harp Key, in 1978. The release became a best-selling traditional-music record and provided the young label with an important early success. The label then developed a catalogue devoted largely to acoustic Scottish traditional music. The Battlefield Band was among its earliest signings and became one of its most prominent acts. The group subsequently achieved international recognition, particularly in the United States. Temple released the band's albums other than its debut and third albums, which were issued by Escalibur. Morton became the band's manager in 1980, giving him a direct role in the group's wider development as well as in its recordings. The Battlefield Band's American success led Morton to create Temple US Records. The US operation was based in Arlington, Massachusetts, and represented an effort to serve the American market from within the United States. The available account gives differing timing, describing the American label as founded in the late 1970s while also linking its establishment to the band's US breakthrough in the mid-1980s. The precise date should therefore be treated as unresolved. Temple's work has included both current folk performers and older Scottish musical material. Among the historical recordings associated with the label are releases connected with James Scott Skinner. In 1992, Morton suggested the creation of Mac-Talla, a Scottish Gaelic supergroup composed entirely of artists from the Temple roster. Mac-Talla illustrates the label's role in bringing together artists and traditions within the Scottish folk and Gaelic music communities. The available reference material does not provide a complete account of later ownership, management, catalogue administration, or the label's current operating status. It does establish Temple Records' historical importance as an independent Scottish imprint that helped document and promote traditional, acoustic, and Gaelic music while also supporting artists with international ambitions.

• 1992

  Mac-Talla is formed

  [1]Temple Records (1978 UK label)en.wikipedia.org

  At Morton's suggestion, Mac-Talla is formed as a Scottish Gaelic supergroup composed of Temple Records artists.

• 1980

  Robin Morton becomes Battlefield Band manager

  [1]Temple Records (1978 UK label)en.wikipedia.org

  Morton takes on management of the Battlefield Band, one of Temple Records' earliest and most internationally successful signings.

• 1978

  Temple Records is founded

  [1]Temple Records (1978 UK label)en.wikipedia.org

  Robin Morton establishes Temple Records in Temple, Midlothian, with a focus on acoustic Scottish traditional music.

• 1978

  Release of The Harp Key

  [1]Temple Records (1978 UK label)en.wikipedia.org

  The label releases Alison Kinnaird's first LP, The Harp Key, which becomes a best-selling traditional-music record.

An independent Scottish label centered on acoustic traditional music, contemporary folk artists, Scottish Gaelic repertoire, and historically significant Scottish recordings.

• Album · 1978

  The Harp Key

  Alison Kinnaird's first LP, released by Temple Records in 1978. The album was the immediate catalyst for the label's creation after Morton sought to record Kinnaird's clarsach playing, and it became a best-selling traditional-music release.

• Artist catalogue

  Battlefield Band catalogue

  Temple Records issued the majority of the Battlefield Band's albums, excluding the group's debut and third releases, which appeared on Escalibur. The catalogue represents one of the label's central contemporary folk relationships and helped extend its reach into international markets.

• Historical recordings

  James Scott Skinner recordings

  Temple Records has released historical recordings associated with James Scott Skinner, contributing archival Scottish musical material alongside recordings by current traditional performers.

• Scottish Gaelic music · 1992

  Mac-Talla recordings

  Mac-Talla was a Scottish Gaelic supergroup formed in 1992 at Robin Morton's suggestion and composed entirely of artists from the Temple Records roster. Its releases reflected the label's interest in Gaelic performance and collaborative projects.

• 1980

  Combine label activity with artist managementStrategy

  Background

  The Battlefield Band had become one of Temple Records' earliest important signings and was developing an international audience.

  Action taken

  Robin Morton became the Battlefield Band's manager while the group continued its principal relationship with Temple Records.

  Aftermath

  The label's role expanded beyond releasing recordings to supporting the band's wider career and international development.

  Source

• 1978

  Create a label for acoustic Scottish traditional musicStrategy

  Background

  Robin Morton wanted to record Alison Kinnaird after another label judged that a release by the clarsach player would not sell.

  Action taken

  Morton founded Temple Records and released Kinnaird's first LP, The Harp Key.

  Aftermath

  The album became a best-selling traditional-music record and gave the new imprint an early commercial success.

  Source

• Establish a US operationStrategy

  Background

  The Battlefield Band's success in the United States created a need for a stronger American presence.

  Action taken

  Morton established Temple US Records in Arlington, Massachusetts.

  Aftermath

  The US imprint gave Temple Records an operating base for serving American listeners, although the available sources do not establish a single definitive formation year.

  Source

1. 1Temple Records (1978 UK label)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Temple Records official websitetemplerecords.co.uk