Excellent advice from a lot of sources. My $0.02 (US).

IMHO, the most important thing to remember is that Mr. Macdougall is THE REAL THING. All the things you describe are standard practices and attitudes for the archaic fiddling tradition he belongs to. He is a window into a time and a place that will soon be gone for good where you live and in the rest of the world has been gone for decades.

As his student you become a part of an oral/aural musical tradition that will probably die unless you carry it on. To have a chance to learn directly from a member of his generation and to become a member and heir to that tradition is a gift beyond price. I know people who would kill to be able to sit "knee-to-knee" with someone like Mr. Macdougall. You will be the envy of less fortunate fiddlers who are forced to learn from records and tapes for the rest of your life.

If you keep an open mind, your experiences with Mr. Macdougall will be good for your music and good for your soul.

If it were feasible I would be the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes in the morning and last thing he saw before closing them at night. I would start the tape recorder as soon as I walked into his house and not turn it off until he threw me out.

Russ (Who never got to play with Tommy)