Alistair Henderson of Portree (Obituary)
by Fergie MacDonald
B&F July 2005
The passing of Alistair Henderson, peacefully at his home in Portree, has left a massive vacuum in the world of Scottish traditional music.
Firstly, on behalf of the music fraternity, deepest sympathy is humbly conveyed to his loving wife, Ina, and sons David and Hector.
In times like these, superlatives are so often loosely used, although in many cases thoroughly deserved. In this case however, superlatives are in short supply. Everybody privileged to have known Alistair loved him dearly as a person.
It is well documented that his late father Duncan, a noted piper himself, taught me so many of the pipe marches that I play to this day. I vividly remember being taught the third and fourth parts of Leaving Lunga, eventually getting them right around four o’clock in the morning. Mind you, there were various refreshment intervals throughout the night. That was a typical musical night in Newton.
In such a musical environment, it was little wonder that the whole family matured into top-line musicians, Hector (Hecky) on accordion, Ewan (Oonie) on bagpipes, Heather on keyboard and Violet (Vava) on accordion and piano. Luckily Sheila, a devoted mum to them all, loved music herself. This was fortunate. Can you imagine it otherwise?
Alistair, on leaving school, joined my band in 1967 when he was 17. There were 4 of us – Alistair played accordion and bass guitar, Noel Eadie was the singer and played lead guitar and Jay Dewar from Strathyre was on drums. This particular band was extremely popular in the late sixties, capable of handling anything from a Highland Schottische to any number from the Top 20 Charts. To be involved in the dance hall scene during that era is something to be treasured. Eventually, that great band split up in 1969. Noel joined ‘Na H-Oganaich’, Jay got married and Alistair joined the police – Inverness-shire Constabulary.
While serving as a police officer Alistair met, and of course married, Ina. Alistair resigned from the police force with honour, dignity and the overwhelming respect of his superiors and fellow officers. Although he worked for many years with the well-known firm, Skye Marble, Alistair will be more affectionately remembered from his involvement with the mobile library.
During his early days on Skye he befriended and teamed up with another great musician – Iain MacDonald from Dunvegan. The musical mix here was powerful to say the least. With Alistair and Iain both on Cordovox electronic accordions and supported by Donald John Campbell (Pop) on drums, this very popular band performed all over the Western Highlands and Islands for many years. Sadly, due to Iain’s untimely death, that great combination was reduced to Alistair and Donald John. Apart from performing at ceilidhs and dances. Alistair became resident musician at The Royal Hotel, Portree. Every musician and traditional music lover, whether working or holidaying, would eventually round off their evening at The Royal. Alistair packed the place out every weekend for 23 years. He became an institution in relation to The Royal Hotel.
At this point we must mention Donald Archie MacKinnon from Broadford who, along with Alistair, performed at concerts and ceilidhs throughout Scotland. Although Donald Archie is one of our top traditional Gaelic singers, I know that he considered himself tremendously fortunate to have such brilliant accordion accompaniment at hand from Alistair. This was a ‘top drawer’ act.
Personally, I myself rejoice in the fact that I was privileged simply to have known Alistair. This view will be shared by many.
In conclusion, I must finish with a story that Alistair loved to recall. During his two years full-time with the ‘Fergie’ band, Alistair was nominated duty driver. With Alistair designated to this duty, Fergie was able to indulge more regularly and freely in the typical Highland cultural pastime of ‘a drop of the creutair’. One day, driving through Glencoe, it seemed that Fergie shouted out, “Stop Alistair!” quickly followed by the command, “Reverse back a bit – stop!” At this point the passenger window flew open and Fergie let fly with both barrels of the shotgun – bang! bang! On investigation two grouse were found at the scene of the shooting. This shootout was followed by a feather plucking ritual at the roadside. Next night in the Glasgow flat, roast grouse, potatoes and veg made up the menu for a most exquisite evening meal. Alistair’s own assessment of this amazing escapade was that he viewed it as the ultimate hallmark of a real Highland dance band. Listen, think of some of the biggest names you know in the Scottish dance band industry and can you imagine any of them pulling off a stunt like that? As I already said, Alistair loved relating that story.
Firstly, on behalf of the music fraternity, deepest sympathy is humbly conveyed to his loving wife, Ina, and sons David and Hector.
In times like these, superlatives are so often loosely used, although in many cases thoroughly deserved. In this case however, superlatives are in short supply. Everybody privileged to have known Alistair loved him dearly as a person.
It is well documented that his late father Duncan, a noted piper himself, taught me so many of the pipe marches that I play to this day. I vividly remember being taught the third and fourth parts of Leaving Lunga, eventually getting them right around four o’clock in the morning. Mind you, there were various refreshment intervals throughout the night. That was a typical musical night in Newton.
In such a musical environment, it was little wonder that the whole family matured into top-line musicians, Hector (Hecky) on accordion, Ewan (Oonie) on bagpipes, Heather on keyboard and Violet (Vava) on accordion and piano. Luckily Sheila, a devoted mum to them all, loved music herself. This was fortunate. Can you imagine it otherwise?
Alistair, on leaving school, joined my band in 1967 when he was 17. There were 4 of us – Alistair played accordion and bass guitar, Noel Eadie was the singer and played lead guitar and Jay Dewar from Strathyre was on drums. This particular band was extremely popular in the late sixties, capable of handling anything from a Highland Schottische to any number from the Top 20 Charts. To be involved in the dance hall scene during that era is something to be treasured. Eventually, that great band split up in 1969. Noel joined ‘Na H-Oganaich’, Jay got married and Alistair joined the police – Inverness-shire Constabulary.
While serving as a police officer Alistair met, and of course married, Ina. Alistair resigned from the police force with honour, dignity and the overwhelming respect of his superiors and fellow officers. Although he worked for many years with the well-known firm, Skye Marble, Alistair will be more affectionately remembered from his involvement with the mobile library.
During his early days on Skye he befriended and teamed up with another great musician – Iain MacDonald from Dunvegan. The musical mix here was powerful to say the least. With Alistair and Iain both on Cordovox electronic accordions and supported by Donald John Campbell (Pop) on drums, this very popular band performed all over the Western Highlands and Islands for many years. Sadly, due to Iain’s untimely death, that great combination was reduced to Alistair and Donald John. Apart from performing at ceilidhs and dances. Alistair became resident musician at The Royal Hotel, Portree. Every musician and traditional music lover, whether working or holidaying, would eventually round off their evening at The Royal. Alistair packed the place out every weekend for 23 years. He became an institution in relation to The Royal Hotel.
At this point we must mention Donald Archie MacKinnon from Broadford who, along with Alistair, performed at concerts and ceilidhs throughout Scotland. Although Donald Archie is one of our top traditional Gaelic singers, I know that he considered himself tremendously fortunate to have such brilliant accordion accompaniment at hand from Alistair. This was a ‘top drawer’ act.
Personally, I myself rejoice in the fact that I was privileged simply to have known Alistair. This view will be shared by many.
In conclusion, I must finish with a story that Alistair loved to recall. During his two years full-time with the ‘Fergie’ band, Alistair was nominated duty driver. With Alistair designated to this duty, Fergie was able to indulge more regularly and freely in the typical Highland cultural pastime of ‘a drop of the creutair’. One day, driving through Glencoe, it seemed that Fergie shouted out, “Stop Alistair!” quickly followed by the command, “Reverse back a bit – stop!” At this point the passenger window flew open and Fergie let fly with both barrels of the shotgun – bang! bang! On investigation two grouse were found at the scene of the shooting. This shootout was followed by a feather plucking ritual at the roadside. Next night in the Glasgow flat, roast grouse, potatoes and veg made up the menu for a most exquisite evening meal. Alistair’s own assessment of this amazing escapade was that he viewed it as the ultimate hallmark of a real Highland dance band. Listen, think of some of the biggest names you know in the Scottish dance band industry and can you imagine any of them pulling off a stunt like that? As I already said, Alistair loved relating that story.