On this day in 2000, the legendary band leader and accordionist, Jimmy Shand, died.

Born in the Fife mining village of East Wemyss, he worked the pit as a youngster, but his outstanding musical talent, evident at mining dances and busking trips to Dundee, soon allowed him to become a professional musician. Shand's recordings are famous throughout the world due to his distinctive playing style on the button accordion, which inspired a generation of younger players. His band gained great notoriety as the house band first on BBC radio, and later, with the advent of television, on The White Heather Club. Jimmy died in Auchtermuchty where they erected a statue in his honour.

Today in 1682 James Gibbs, the Scottish architect, was born. Famous commissions included the London churches of St.Martin-in-the-Fields, and St.Mary-le-Strand. He was the author of 'A Book of Architecture', which in the 18th century was the most widely used reference and pattern book in Britain and its colonies.

Today's recipe: enjoy a traditional taste of Christmas with these old-fashioned sweet mince pies.