Box and Fiddle
Year 25 No 10
June 2002
Price £1.75
36 Page Magazine
2 month subscription £3.50 + p&p £1.20
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
We have fewer Club reports this month, because many of you are now having a break for summer. Some Clubs, like Newmill, may have ‘Open Days’, or maybe you have fundraising events, either for your Club or for the Sir Jimmy Shand Sculpture Project. Don’t forget to let the B&F know about them. We welcome articles and photographs, just remember that the deadline is the 8th of the previous month.
Judith Linton has been working hard for the magazine this month, giving us a report on the Mull Festival (I’m amazed that she can remember anything about it!) and reviewing CDs. Remember any CD, tape, video or book should be sent direct to Jude.
Hope to meet up with many of you again at the AGM.
Karin Ingram
Mull Festival 2002
by Judith Linton
Collectors’ Pieces
by Charlie Gore
Charlie Gore edited and published ‘The Scottish Fiddle Music Index’ in 1994. This was the first attempt ever made to index the titles of the 12,000 or so traditional tunes, songs, airs and miscellaneous music published in the printed collections of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The chief value of the Index to researchers, musicians and students of the tradition is that it has made it possible to locate any tune listed and to identify an accessible source for the music (mostly based on collections held at the National Library of Scotland).
Fiddle Composers of the Eastern Highlands
Not many people would now be able to recall many details of the life story of Alexander, 4th Duke of Gordon (1743-1827). Unlike most of the great nobles and landowners of his day, he was devoted to his own country and was even said to have been a passable fiddler and composer. He married Jane Maxwell, the ‘Flower of Galloway’, known also as ‘The Dancing Duchess’ who could make even the dull society folk of London lift their feet in a reel; but the silly man cast her off. Whatever else he achieved in his 80 years it was nothing in comparison with his steward, William Marshall (1748-1831), born to poor parents in Fochabers; fiddler, composer, astronomer, clockmaker extraordinary, whose life and work is well remembered to this day. Scotland hasn’t yet achieved a full reprint of this unusual composer’s published work, but some at least of his lovely strathspeys, reels jigs and slow tunes are not entirely neglected. Almost every tune Marshall wrote is still playable. As a native of Moray, he can claim to be a ‘Highland’ fiddler of sorts, although his work is not ‘Gaelic’ in any true sense. It was published in Edinburgh and is much closer in style to the other collections of dance music being published in central Scotland at the time, by such as Nathaniel Gow and a host of his contemporaries. During that era, the Reverend Patrick MacDonald’s ‘Highland Vocal Airs’ were published (also in Edinburgh, in 1784) as a deliberate attempt to ‘rescue’ Gaelic music, until then a strictly oral tradition. He succeeded well with that work and Captain Simon Fraser, a native of Inverness-shire, added his ‘Airs Peculiar to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland’, a curious hybrid work of traditional material and contemporary compositions, much of it his own. The Gaelic titles that run through it often conflict with their English equivalents. It was first published in 1816 and re-published by his son in 1874 and would benefit from more analysis and comment by Gaelic scholars. Jane Fraser Morison, of Kintail Manse, produced two interesting little collections of music with a Gaelic character in 1882, printed by Logan and Co, Inverness.
The half dozen or so other fiddler-composers who lived and flourished in the North-East in Marshall’s time, or later, are either quite forgotten or only vaguely remembered. Their printed collections, which are the main reason we remember them at all, spring from that same national passion for dance music that inspired the Gows, Marshall and all those fiddlers of Central Scotland and the Borders. Each collection is well worth individual attention and carried its own specialties. Most have local interest.
William CHRISTIE (1778-1849)
A dancing-master and fiddler-composer of Cuminestown near Turriff in Aberdeenshire, who published a collection of tunes in 1820 with many of his own compositions. One of his sons, also William, was a celebrated song collector (Traditional Ballad Airs in 2 Vols, 1876 & 1881) who also became Episcopal Dean of the Diocese of Moray.
Isaac COOPER
Fiddler-Composer and dancing master, Banff. His best known publication (1783) was ‘Thirty New Strathspey Reels for the Violin or Harpsichord’ (Banff & Edinburgh) and there was another that appeared around 1807.
Angus CUMMING
‘A Collection of Strathspey ot Old Highland Reels by Angus Cumming at Grantown in Strathspey, 1780’ (Published Edinburgh). Little else is known about Cumming except, as he makes clear in the book, he followed “the profession of his forefathers, who have been for many generations musicians in Strathspey”. Many other publishers have used the expression ‘Strathspey Reel’, but the Cummings may have felt justified in claiming that this dynasty refined the dotted rhythm and gave it its identity.
Charles GRANT (1806-1892)
For 30 years a schoolmaster in Aberlour, Speyside, where he was much admired for his music. Published after his death and printed privately, the collection of his tunes was quietly dipped into by the researchers of RSCDS and then forgotten with the exception of the 6/8s The Braes of Elchies, Miss Jeannie S. Grant’s Favourite (used as the original tune for the dance ‘Two and Two’, RSCDS Book 19) and Mrs Jamieson’s Favourite. There’s a lot more to the collection than these!
Donald GRANT
Fiddler-composer and dancing-master, born Elgin c1760 (he may have died there late in the 1830s) leaving “A Collection of Airs, Strathspeys etc…..” many of his own composition. Every page of the edition I have seen (probably the 1820 reprint) is marked ‘Grant’s 1st Collection’. Was there a second? I have certainly never set eyes on it.
Charles MIDDLETON (1837-99)
Was a native of Woodside, Aberdeen who moved to Keith as a spinner and eventually became quite a successful music publisher, luckily coinciding with the beginning of Scott Skinner’s prolific publishing career (Bayley and Ferguson came on the scene later and took most of the credit!) He was also responsible for saving most of the Tarland Fiddler, Peter Milne’s incomparable music from otherwise almost certain loss. At 60, he settled in Hamilton but died two years later.
John MORISON (1772-1848)
Lived at Rose Street, Peterhead and held “an appointment (organist) at St Peter’s Episcopal Chapel” around 1806/7. He published two collections, much of it his own music, the first “A Collection of New Strathspey Reels, With a few Favourite Marches” (Peterhead 1797), then a second in 1815 (two pages are engraved, the rest are in ms). His death notice reads: “John Morison, Fidler, 76, August 30th 1848”.
William MORRISON
Published “A Collection of Highland Music consisting of Strathspeys, Reels, Marches, Waltzes. Slow Airs….original and selected….by William Morrison…..J. Young & Co….Inverness…..(1812)” It had 81 tune titles, about half of which were his own compositions, half either old or by other composers of the time. Some good stuff.
James TAYLOR
Fiddler, composer, teacher of music, Fochabers. Published two small volumes of Strathspeys and Reels, one printed locally (c1835), the other in Edinburgh (c1845), about 20 of his own compositions, the rest by various others.
Alexander WALKER
Was born in Forfar (1837) and was a pupil of the great Angus fiddler, James Allan. He was a gifted performer himself and in 1866 published a collection of no less than 196 tunes of his own strathspeys, reels, marches, jigs, hornpipes, quicksteps and slow airs. He was gardener at Castle Newe, Aberdeenshire and dedicated his book to the owner, Sir Charles Forbes. He emigrated to the USA and lived there for some years.
The Misses WHITE
May have been a Miss White and a Miss Brocky, dwellers in Moray, who evidently knew the music and were talented composers. Nathanial Gow published this work ”A Collection of entirely original Strathspeys, Reels….by Ladies resident in a remote part of the Highlands….NB: Corrected by Nath. Gow” Edinburgh 1798.
All these collections are to be found in the National Library of Scotland.
Highland Music Trust
by
This is the story of how a quiet retired couple accidentally got themselves into the music selling business.
Eric and Helen Allan are members of Inverness Fiddlers and members of local Scots music group Birl. Eric is a composer and Helen is experienced in computer music printing. Together they produce The Scottish Fiddlers’ Calendar, a newsletter for fiddle societies.
They were strong supporters of Balnain House, the traditional music centre in Inverness, until its closure because of lack of funding. They were involved in Balnain’s re-print of The Athole Collection in 1996. They undertook the compilation of the Balnain Collection of tunes by contemporary artistes, and Eric compiled a further book for publication by Balnain House called Fiddlers’ Burns, a collection of tunes associated with the songs of Robert Burns arranged for fiddle. With the help of some funds donated by a former client of Eric’s, they formed a charitable trust, Highland Music Trust, which was able top help Balnain House by paying for the printing and releasing the books to them at cost when required.
When Balnain collapsed, the couple rashly added to the Trust’s already bulky collection of books by taking over the liquidator’s remaining stock, and suddenly found that they were in the book business! They transferred to the Trust the unsold copies of two of Eric’s own books, the Loch Ness Collection, containing 150 of his compositions, and Together, a little book of easy harmony arrangements. They set up a website and established connections with distributors and retailers, and hope some day to reclaim their wardrobe space.
However, they had been in discussion with fellow-fiddler Duncan Dyker for some time about The Glen Collection. This was originally intended to be another Balnain publication, but when that was no longer possible they took it on themselves. Helen printed the music, she and Duncan reproduced the text and Eric took on making the coffee and managing the project. Angus Meldrum of Tennent Caledonian Breweries came up with a substantial grant, and help was also given by statutory funders. Eventually the book was launched at Fiddle 2001 in the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh. Charlie Gore, who had assisted with research and written the introduction to the reprint, spoke and Duncan played some music. The appearance opf the Glen Collection on the web has already attracted attention, and there are almost daily trips to the post office with parcels for Canada, USA and Europe.
Local Arts Officer Adrian Clark recently introduced Eric and Helen to Hugh MacNally, a 74 year old melodeon player from the Fort Augustus area. Hugh, also known as a wildlife expert, has been composing music all his life, but doesn’t read or write music. This introduction led to a collaboration in producing Music from South Loch Ness, a book of 21 of Hugh’s tunes and songs, and the Trust arranged a short print run. Eric describes meeting Hugh and working with him as sheer pleasure, and the music as “coming straight from the heart”.
Eric and Helen are happy to hear from musicians or anyone else interested in music.
The Piping Shrike
by Jean Lumsden
Winter appears to have arrived at last……
Greeting from Inverness
by Margo MacLennan
Greeting from Inverness and especially to……………..
Take the Floor – Saturdays with Robbie Shepherd
1st June 02 – Golden Jubilee Outside Broadcast (Live from Holyrood with Iain MacPhail SDB, Sheena Wellington, & Scottish Power Pipe Band)
8th June 02 – Ron Kerr SDB + Dance devisor John Drewry
15th June 02 – John Renton SDB + Re-release of Will Starr CDs from old 78s
22nd June 02 – Sandy Legget & the Carseloch CB + interview with the NAAFC chairman Nicol McLaren
29th June 02 – OB from Letham Village Hall – Special programme with Jimmy Shand Jnr and an All Star Band in support of the Sir Jimmy Shand Sculpture Project.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) -
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 2nd June 02 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 6th June 02 – Willie McFarland Band
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 24th June 02 – Pentland Ceilidh Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 26th June 02 – Jean McConnachie Sound
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 11th June 02 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 9th June 02 – Luncheon & Ceilidh
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 13th June 02 – Ken Hopkins
Campbeltown (The Royal Hotel) -
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 9th June 02 – All players welcome
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 12th June 02 - tbc
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 7th June 02 – Dance to David Oswald
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (The Village Inn) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 18th June 02 - tbc
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) –
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 5th June 02 – Bill Stewart Band
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 17th June 02 - AGM
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 12th June 02 - AGM
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 5th June 02 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 13th June 02 – Club Night
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 6th June 02 – Alasdair Henderson (Portree)
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 5th June 02 – Bill black SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 9th June 02 – Open Day
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 4th June 02 - AGM
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 6th June 02 – John Douglas SDB
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 6th June 02 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Blairgowrie
8. Button Key
9. Campsie
10. Castle Douglas
11. Coalburn
12. Dingwall
13. Dunblane
14. Ellon
15. Forfar
16. Forres
17. Glenrothes & District
18. Gretna
19. Highland
20. Kelso
21. Kintore
22. Lesmahagow
23. Lewis & Harris
24. Livingston
25. Lockerbie
26. Montrose
27. Perth
28. Premier
29. Rothbury
30. Turriff
31. Tynedale
32. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2002
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
57. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
58. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
59. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
60. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
61. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
62. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
63. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
64. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
65. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
66. Selkirk A&F Club (
67. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
68. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. Vancouver
75. West Barnes ( - present)
76. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
77. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – )
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
78. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
79. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
83. Buchan A&F Club
84. Callander A&F Club (
85. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
86. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
87. Club Accord
88. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
89. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
90. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
91. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
92. Derwentside A&F Club
93. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
94. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
95. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
96. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
97. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
98. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
99. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
100. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
101. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
102. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
103. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
109. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
110. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
111. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
112. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
113. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
114. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
115. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
116. Tranent A&F Club
117. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
118. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £120
Half Page - £60
Quarter Page - £30
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
We have fewer Club reports this month, because many of you are now having a break for summer. Some Clubs, like Newmill, may have ‘Open Days’, or maybe you have fundraising events, either for your Club or for the Sir Jimmy Shand Sculpture Project. Don’t forget to let the B&F know about them. We welcome articles and photographs, just remember that the deadline is the 8th of the previous month.
Judith Linton has been working hard for the magazine this month, giving us a report on the Mull Festival (I’m amazed that she can remember anything about it!) and reviewing CDs. Remember any CD, tape, video or book should be sent direct to Jude.
Hope to meet up with many of you again at the AGM.
Karin Ingram
Mull Festival 2002
by Judith Linton
Collectors’ Pieces
by Charlie Gore
Charlie Gore edited and published ‘The Scottish Fiddle Music Index’ in 1994. This was the first attempt ever made to index the titles of the 12,000 or so traditional tunes, songs, airs and miscellaneous music published in the printed collections of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The chief value of the Index to researchers, musicians and students of the tradition is that it has made it possible to locate any tune listed and to identify an accessible source for the music (mostly based on collections held at the National Library of Scotland).
Fiddle Composers of the Eastern Highlands
Not many people would now be able to recall many details of the life story of Alexander, 4th Duke of Gordon (1743-1827). Unlike most of the great nobles and landowners of his day, he was devoted to his own country and was even said to have been a passable fiddler and composer. He married Jane Maxwell, the ‘Flower of Galloway’, known also as ‘The Dancing Duchess’ who could make even the dull society folk of London lift their feet in a reel; but the silly man cast her off. Whatever else he achieved in his 80 years it was nothing in comparison with his steward, William Marshall (1748-1831), born to poor parents in Fochabers; fiddler, composer, astronomer, clockmaker extraordinary, whose life and work is well remembered to this day. Scotland hasn’t yet achieved a full reprint of this unusual composer’s published work, but some at least of his lovely strathspeys, reels jigs and slow tunes are not entirely neglected. Almost every tune Marshall wrote is still playable. As a native of Moray, he can claim to be a ‘Highland’ fiddler of sorts, although his work is not ‘Gaelic’ in any true sense. It was published in Edinburgh and is much closer in style to the other collections of dance music being published in central Scotland at the time, by such as Nathaniel Gow and a host of his contemporaries. During that era, the Reverend Patrick MacDonald’s ‘Highland Vocal Airs’ were published (also in Edinburgh, in 1784) as a deliberate attempt to ‘rescue’ Gaelic music, until then a strictly oral tradition. He succeeded well with that work and Captain Simon Fraser, a native of Inverness-shire, added his ‘Airs Peculiar to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland’, a curious hybrid work of traditional material and contemporary compositions, much of it his own. The Gaelic titles that run through it often conflict with their English equivalents. It was first published in 1816 and re-published by his son in 1874 and would benefit from more analysis and comment by Gaelic scholars. Jane Fraser Morison, of Kintail Manse, produced two interesting little collections of music with a Gaelic character in 1882, printed by Logan and Co, Inverness.
The half dozen or so other fiddler-composers who lived and flourished in the North-East in Marshall’s time, or later, are either quite forgotten or only vaguely remembered. Their printed collections, which are the main reason we remember them at all, spring from that same national passion for dance music that inspired the Gows, Marshall and all those fiddlers of Central Scotland and the Borders. Each collection is well worth individual attention and carried its own specialties. Most have local interest.
William CHRISTIE (1778-1849)
A dancing-master and fiddler-composer of Cuminestown near Turriff in Aberdeenshire, who published a collection of tunes in 1820 with many of his own compositions. One of his sons, also William, was a celebrated song collector (Traditional Ballad Airs in 2 Vols, 1876 & 1881) who also became Episcopal Dean of the Diocese of Moray.
Isaac COOPER
Fiddler-Composer and dancing master, Banff. His best known publication (1783) was ‘Thirty New Strathspey Reels for the Violin or Harpsichord’ (Banff & Edinburgh) and there was another that appeared around 1807.
Angus CUMMING
‘A Collection of Strathspey ot Old Highland Reels by Angus Cumming at Grantown in Strathspey, 1780’ (Published Edinburgh). Little else is known about Cumming except, as he makes clear in the book, he followed “the profession of his forefathers, who have been for many generations musicians in Strathspey”. Many other publishers have used the expression ‘Strathspey Reel’, but the Cummings may have felt justified in claiming that this dynasty refined the dotted rhythm and gave it its identity.
Charles GRANT (1806-1892)
For 30 years a schoolmaster in Aberlour, Speyside, where he was much admired for his music. Published after his death and printed privately, the collection of his tunes was quietly dipped into by the researchers of RSCDS and then forgotten with the exception of the 6/8s The Braes of Elchies, Miss Jeannie S. Grant’s Favourite (used as the original tune for the dance ‘Two and Two’, RSCDS Book 19) and Mrs Jamieson’s Favourite. There’s a lot more to the collection than these!
Donald GRANT
Fiddler-composer and dancing-master, born Elgin c1760 (he may have died there late in the 1830s) leaving “A Collection of Airs, Strathspeys etc…..” many of his own composition. Every page of the edition I have seen (probably the 1820 reprint) is marked ‘Grant’s 1st Collection’. Was there a second? I have certainly never set eyes on it.
Charles MIDDLETON (1837-99)
Was a native of Woodside, Aberdeen who moved to Keith as a spinner and eventually became quite a successful music publisher, luckily coinciding with the beginning of Scott Skinner’s prolific publishing career (Bayley and Ferguson came on the scene later and took most of the credit!) He was also responsible for saving most of the Tarland Fiddler, Peter Milne’s incomparable music from otherwise almost certain loss. At 60, he settled in Hamilton but died two years later.
John MORISON (1772-1848)
Lived at Rose Street, Peterhead and held “an appointment (organist) at St Peter’s Episcopal Chapel” around 1806/7. He published two collections, much of it his own music, the first “A Collection of New Strathspey Reels, With a few Favourite Marches” (Peterhead 1797), then a second in 1815 (two pages are engraved, the rest are in ms). His death notice reads: “John Morison, Fidler, 76, August 30th 1848”.
William MORRISON
Published “A Collection of Highland Music consisting of Strathspeys, Reels, Marches, Waltzes. Slow Airs….original and selected….by William Morrison…..J. Young & Co….Inverness…..(1812)” It had 81 tune titles, about half of which were his own compositions, half either old or by other composers of the time. Some good stuff.
James TAYLOR
Fiddler, composer, teacher of music, Fochabers. Published two small volumes of Strathspeys and Reels, one printed locally (c1835), the other in Edinburgh (c1845), about 20 of his own compositions, the rest by various others.
Alexander WALKER
Was born in Forfar (1837) and was a pupil of the great Angus fiddler, James Allan. He was a gifted performer himself and in 1866 published a collection of no less than 196 tunes of his own strathspeys, reels, marches, jigs, hornpipes, quicksteps and slow airs. He was gardener at Castle Newe, Aberdeenshire and dedicated his book to the owner, Sir Charles Forbes. He emigrated to the USA and lived there for some years.
The Misses WHITE
May have been a Miss White and a Miss Brocky, dwellers in Moray, who evidently knew the music and were talented composers. Nathanial Gow published this work ”A Collection of entirely original Strathspeys, Reels….by Ladies resident in a remote part of the Highlands….NB: Corrected by Nath. Gow” Edinburgh 1798.
All these collections are to be found in the National Library of Scotland.
Highland Music Trust
by
This is the story of how a quiet retired couple accidentally got themselves into the music selling business.
Eric and Helen Allan are members of Inverness Fiddlers and members of local Scots music group Birl. Eric is a composer and Helen is experienced in computer music printing. Together they produce The Scottish Fiddlers’ Calendar, a newsletter for fiddle societies.
They were strong supporters of Balnain House, the traditional music centre in Inverness, until its closure because of lack of funding. They were involved in Balnain’s re-print of The Athole Collection in 1996. They undertook the compilation of the Balnain Collection of tunes by contemporary artistes, and Eric compiled a further book for publication by Balnain House called Fiddlers’ Burns, a collection of tunes associated with the songs of Robert Burns arranged for fiddle. With the help of some funds donated by a former client of Eric’s, they formed a charitable trust, Highland Music Trust, which was able top help Balnain House by paying for the printing and releasing the books to them at cost when required.
When Balnain collapsed, the couple rashly added to the Trust’s already bulky collection of books by taking over the liquidator’s remaining stock, and suddenly found that they were in the book business! They transferred to the Trust the unsold copies of two of Eric’s own books, the Loch Ness Collection, containing 150 of his compositions, and Together, a little book of easy harmony arrangements. They set up a website and established connections with distributors and retailers, and hope some day to reclaim their wardrobe space.
However, they had been in discussion with fellow-fiddler Duncan Dyker for some time about The Glen Collection. This was originally intended to be another Balnain publication, but when that was no longer possible they took it on themselves. Helen printed the music, she and Duncan reproduced the text and Eric took on making the coffee and managing the project. Angus Meldrum of Tennent Caledonian Breweries came up with a substantial grant, and help was also given by statutory funders. Eventually the book was launched at Fiddle 2001 in the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh. Charlie Gore, who had assisted with research and written the introduction to the reprint, spoke and Duncan played some music. The appearance opf the Glen Collection on the web has already attracted attention, and there are almost daily trips to the post office with parcels for Canada, USA and Europe.
Local Arts Officer Adrian Clark recently introduced Eric and Helen to Hugh MacNally, a 74 year old melodeon player from the Fort Augustus area. Hugh, also known as a wildlife expert, has been composing music all his life, but doesn’t read or write music. This introduction led to a collaboration in producing Music from South Loch Ness, a book of 21 of Hugh’s tunes and songs, and the Trust arranged a short print run. Eric describes meeting Hugh and working with him as sheer pleasure, and the music as “coming straight from the heart”.
Eric and Helen are happy to hear from musicians or anyone else interested in music.
The Piping Shrike
by Jean Lumsden
Winter appears to have arrived at last……
Greeting from Inverness
by Margo MacLennan
Greeting from Inverness and especially to……………..
Take the Floor – Saturdays with Robbie Shepherd
1st June 02 – Golden Jubilee Outside Broadcast (Live from Holyrood with Iain MacPhail SDB, Sheena Wellington, & Scottish Power Pipe Band)
8th June 02 – Ron Kerr SDB + Dance devisor John Drewry
15th June 02 – John Renton SDB + Re-release of Will Starr CDs from old 78s
22nd June 02 – Sandy Legget & the Carseloch CB + interview with the NAAFC chairman Nicol McLaren
29th June 02 – OB from Letham Village Hall – Special programme with Jimmy Shand Jnr and an All Star Band in support of the Sir Jimmy Shand Sculpture Project.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) -
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 2nd June 02 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 6th June 02 – Willie McFarland Band
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 24th June 02 – Pentland Ceilidh Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 26th June 02 – Jean McConnachie Sound
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 11th June 02 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 9th June 02 – Luncheon & Ceilidh
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 13th June 02 – Ken Hopkins
Campbeltown (The Royal Hotel) -
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 9th June 02 – All players welcome
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 12th June 02 - tbc
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 7th June 02 – Dance to David Oswald
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (The Village Inn) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 18th June 02 - tbc
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) –
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 5th June 02 – Bill Stewart Band
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 17th June 02 - AGM
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 12th June 02 - AGM
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 5th June 02 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 13th June 02 – Club Night
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 6th June 02 – Alasdair Henderson (Portree)
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 5th June 02 – Bill black SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 9th June 02 – Open Day
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 4th June 02 - AGM
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 6th June 02 – John Douglas SDB
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 6th June 02 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Blairgowrie
8. Button Key
9. Campsie
10. Castle Douglas
11. Coalburn
12. Dingwall
13. Dunblane
14. Ellon
15. Forfar
16. Forres
17. Glenrothes & District
18. Gretna
19. Highland
20. Kelso
21. Kintore
22. Lesmahagow
23. Lewis & Harris
24. Livingston
25. Lockerbie
26. Montrose
27. Perth
28. Premier
29. Rothbury
30. Turriff
31. Tynedale
32. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2002
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
57. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
58. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
59. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
60. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
61. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
62. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
63. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
64. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
65. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
66. Selkirk A&F Club (
67. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
68. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. Vancouver
75. West Barnes ( - present)
76. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
77. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – )
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
78. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
79. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
83. Buchan A&F Club
84. Callander A&F Club (
85. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
86. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
87. Club Accord
88. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
89. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
90. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
91. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
92. Derwentside A&F Club
93. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
94. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
95. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
96. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
97. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
98. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
99. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
100. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
101. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
102. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
103. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
109. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
110. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
111. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
112. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
113. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
114. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
115. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
116. Tranent A&F Club
117. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
118. Wellbank A&F Club
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