17. Dec, 2021
Highland Music: a fortunate find in a bookshop.
Whilst scouring the Edinburgh secondhand bookshops for unusual items, I came across a pile of rather tatty-looking music. I could see the sheets were old, but I knew nothing about them, so, in dribs and drabs, I bought the lot. The purchase has led me to musical discoveries that I knew nothing about, leading back to, of all places, Durness, and the Reverend Murdoch McDonald.
There were also three albums, which I have kept. Only one is complete, but all three are of interest.
Some of the sheets I have long since sold. They were single sheet dance numbers, many of which were published by Nathaniel Gow, fourth son of Neil Gow, the celebrated violinist. Nathaniel's publishing business was based at 41 North Bridge Street, Edinburgh.
The complete album still has its title page: "A Fourth Collection of Strathspey Reels &c. with a Bass for the Violincello or Harpsichord. Dedicated by permission to the Right Honourable The Countess of Breadalbane by Malcolm McDonald at Dunkeld. Printed for the Author and to be had at Gow & Shepherd, Music Sellers No. 41 North Bridge Street; also at J. Johnson's, Lawn Market, Edinburgh." There is a long (2 pages) list of subscribers, followed by 13 pages of Reels, Jiggs, and Strathspeys. It seems little is known about McDonald, but his four volumes (mine is the fourth) of collected music have survived. He is thought to have been born c1750, and, as the title page suggests, he was based at Dunkeld. It is claimed that he accompanied Neil Gow on the cello after the death of Neil's brother, Donald. His collections, which are said to be his own compositions were all published together in 1788. My tatty album, then, is a very early printed collection of Scottish dance music.
I have managed to 'complete' the other two albums by obtaining photocopies from the National Library of Scotland. The first is "A Collection of Reels, consisting chiefly of Strathspeys, Athole Reels & with a Bass for the Violincello or Harpsichord by Alexander McGlashan. Edinburgh: Printed and Sold by N. Stewart at his Music Shop, Parliament Square, where may be had the Greatest Variety of Music and Musical Instruments wholesale and retail on the most reasonable terms." My copy lacks the title page, two pages at the front, and two pages at the back, so it has pages 3 - 44.
A little more is known about Alexander McGlashen, as he was an active band leader in Edinburgh, giving regular concerts at St, Cecilia's Hall. Born c1750, he was clearly a strong personality who enjoyed the limelight, and with his love of extravagant dress and extrovert character, he was known as 'King McGlashan.' He is also said to have taught Neil Gow. He died in 1797. This collection was published in 1780.
The last of the three sets I found is the most interesting to me, with my interest in the far north of Scotland, for it leads me back to Sutherland, and Durness. Again, it is missing its title page, but there is a copy of this important collection in the National Library of Scotland. "A Collection of Highland Vocal Airs, never hitherto published. To which are added a few of the most lively Country Dances or Reels of the North Highlands and Western Isles, and some Specimens of Bagpipe Music. By Patrick McDonald, Minister of Kilmore in Argyleshire. Edinburgh: Printed for the Publisher, and to be had at the Music Shops of Corri and Sutherland Bridge Street and No. 2 Stewart Part. Square." There is a further page of dedication "To The Noblemen and Gentlemen who compose the Highland Society in London, the following Collection of Highland Airs is most Respectfully Inscribed by their much Obliged & most Humble Servant, Patrick McDonald."
Patrick McDonald (1729 - 1824) was the son of Murdoch McDonald (1696 - 1763), the minister of Durness in Sutherland. As well as keeping a diary, which provides much information about 18th century life in the north of Scotland, Murdoch was an accomplished musician.
My collection is but a few sheets from the original: the informative preface starts on page 13, there are only 21 of the 86 North Highland Airs (pages 1-4), and then pages 13-14 (Perthshire Airs) and 18-20 (Argyleshire Airs). The long list of subscribers (16 - 22) is complete. However, I am delighted to have even this small number of pages, from a very important early record of Scottish tunes, collected by a family who in the 18th century, proved that the far north was not simply an uncultured region, entirely cut off from their Lowland brethren.
Patrick had a brother, Joseph (b 1739? - 1762?)), and they clearly followed in their father's footsteps as regards his musical talents. Patrick went on to become minister of Kilmore, in Argyll, and many of the 'Highland Vocal Airs' in the collection were found and transcribed by him. Those from the north (the first set are titled 'North Highland Airs') are from a collection Joseph left with one of his sisters before heading off to India in 1760. Whilst there, he wrote an important treatise on 'The Theory of the Scots Highland Bagpipe' which found its way back to Patrick who published it in 1803. Joseph died not long after his arrival in India, in 1762.