Born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Tom moved to England at age 22. While there, he played with a number of folk groups including Shegui, with whom he toured extensively in Britain and Europe. Moving back to Scotland at age 35, he met Wattie Lees and together they formed the band, Quadrille. Tom has played a number of times in the USA with Walt Michael & Co, Craobh Rua and Smith, Byrne and Lees. He plays mandolin and mandola and can occasionally be coaxed into singing a song.