Belladrum House

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BELLADRUM HOUSE (Taigh Bhelladrum). Scottish, Strathspey. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). One part (Hunter): AB (Hardie): AAB (Athole, Fraser, Kerr). Belladrum House is near Kiltarlity, Inverness. This tune "celebrates the line or race of an ancient and most respectable family in Inverness-shire, that of Mr. Fraser of Belladrum, and not his mansion. It is, however, no compliment to say, that the magnificence of the mansion, the hospitality displayed there, and the useful ornamental improvements effected around it by the present and last proprietors, are not exceeded by that of any private gentleman north of the Tay" (Fraser). There is another tradtional Scottish tune connection with this estate through William Marshall-see note for "Mr. John Stewart's Reel--of Bombay." This melody first appeared in print in Captain Simon Fraser's (1773-1852) Airs and Melodies peculiar the the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles, originally published in 1816.

Source for notated versions: Angus Cameron (Scotland) [Hunter]; J. Murdoch Henderson, 1902-1972 (Aberdeen, Scotland) [Hardie].

Printed sources: Fraser (The Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles), 1874; No. 158, p. 64. Hardie (Caledonian Companion), 1986; p. 25. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 103. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 3; Set 28, No. 1, p. 17. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; p. 102.

Recorded sources: Lismore Recordings LILP5044, Ron Gonella - "Fiddle Gems" (1976). Brian McNeill - "Monksgate" (1977).

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