There are very distinctive differences in styles across the county and most marked when comparing say someone like Dinny McLaughlin from Inishowen to any of the Campbells from the Croaghs or to any of the Teelin/Glencolmcille fiddlers. so speaks Bbofey.
That is exactly what I am saying,so it seems I do have something useful to say on the subject of Donegal Fiddling.
while there is undoubtedly something in what you say about lack of transportation,it is not as simple as that,most traditional players had a radio[a classic example is wee peerie Johnson,the shetland guitarist whose style was developed from listening to Eddie lang on short wave radio during the second world war more than 60years ago].
many times the musician doesnt have to travel far to receive outside influences,the outside influences come to him,Neilly Boyle,Danny O Donnell[and THE INFLUENCE of ScottSkinner, as you point out].
Personality plays a part in all kinds of music whether its Donegal fiddle playing ,English Unaccompanied Singing ,[Sam Larner and Walter Pardon are good examples.
have you made any helpful suggestions,for the original poster:no.