But this year's event is certain to be even more poignant, as hundreds of fans gather to commemorate the centenary of the birth of a man who was quite simply a legend.

The anniversary of Sir Jimmy's birth, which fell on Monday, was marked by a concert in Collessie village hall, packed to the gunnels for the occasion with musicians and admirers from all over Scotland.

But the official tribute concert will be held in St Andrews Town Hall on May 11 — a date chosen with a thoughtfulness typical of the gentlemanly Jimmy jnr., who felt that the warmer weather would be more conducive for travelling for the 300 fans, eight Scottish dance bands and numerous surprise guests who'll be attending.

The son of the world's most famous exponent of Scottish country dance music has this week found himself the centre of media attention, posing obligingly for shot after shot with the original Shand Morino three-row accordion that was made in Germany specially for Sir Jimmy just before the war.

If there was any hint of envy about his father's legendary status, Jimmy jnr. had hidden it well.

He says his father's fame was something he accepted from an early age — just as he accepted that he was unlikely to emulate his success.

Though he's been playing the accordion since the age of nine, he recalls being told time and and again: 'You'll never be as good as your father!'

PROUD

"Sometimes I found it hurtful, but I just told people I was doing the best I could," said Jimmy.

"In any case, I play a very different style.

"I used to play the piano when we were rehearsing for radio broadcasts and we always had a debate about the harmonies — he liked to keep them simple when he was playing with the band.

"I've never tried to follow in his footsteps; I was actually very proud of him and looked up to him because of his ability.

"His tunes have really stood the test of time and are just as popular today as they always were."

Sir Jimmy Shand is invariably associated with Auchtermuchty, but in fact he was approaching 50 when he moved there in 1957 in search of fresh country air for his other son David, who suffered from croup.

Prior to that, the family lived in Lochee, Dundee, where Sir Jimmy worked for a time as a lorry driver. Jimmy jnr., now 71, remembers the house always being full of music, with musicians coming and going constantly.

He recalls that although his dad wasn't over-strict, he wouldn't put up with any nonsense either.

"He himself had been brought up at a time when things were very hard," he said.

"He was down the mines by the time he was 14 and was involved in the General Strike of 1926, playing his accordion in the soup kitchens.

"After that he couldn't find a job, so he headed to Dundee from East Wemyss, where he was born and brought up.

"He visited J.T. Forbes the music shop in King Street to try out an accordion, and when the owner, Charles Forbes, heard him play, he offered him a job as a salesman."

FAME

That was to be the turning point for Sir Jimmy, and soon afterwards he made his first record on the Beltona label.

What had been his lifelong hobby turned into a full-blown — and legendary — career.

Even the Second World War didn't put paid to his performing.

Having joined the fire service, he spent his off-duty time playing in a small dance band, and once hostilities were over he formed the Shand Band, whose records sold in millions.

He achieved fame all over the world and no Hogmanay was ever complete without the most famous of his 300-plus compositions, 'The Bluebell Polka', which reached number 20 in the hit parade in 1955.

Over the years the accolades were heaped upon Sir Jimmy, and three years after his death in December 2000 a life-sized bronze sculpture was unveiled in his memory in the centre of Auchtermuchty.

Jimmy jnr. passes the sculpture almost daily on his way to and from his home, and says that not only does it fill him with pride, but it has proved to be a great asset for the village, attracting as it does visitors from all over the world.

Sir Jimmy was 92 when he died and his wife Anne died two years ago at the age of 94.

The couple's other son David lives away from the spotlight, also in Auchtermuchty, leaving Jimmy jnr. to carry on the the famous Shand tradition.

After his father's death, Jimmy jnr. established the tribute concert as an annual event.

"The first year we did it, I struggled with my emotions," he said.

"I had to stop playing because I was so overcome, although the band carried on. It was embarrassing, but I wasn't ashamed.

"The centenary concert is certain to be just as emotional, probably more so. I know my dad would have loved to be there."

Tickets for the Grand Centenary Tribute Concert are available from Jimmy Jnr on 01337 828452.

They cost £10 each and all proceeds will go to CHAS and the Dalgairn Adult Training Centre in Cupar.