Annotation:Perthshire Hunt (The)
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PERTHSHIRE HUNT, THE. AKA "Perth Hunt." AKA and see "The Boyne Hunt [1],” "Highland Skip [2]," "Molly Maguire [2]," "Niel Gow's Reel [1]," “The Popcorn,” "Richmond Hill [2]," “The Sailor’s Trip to Liverpool.” Scottish, Reel. A Major (most versions): D Major (Miller): C Major (Jones). Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Surenne): AAB (most versions): AABB (Honeyman): AABB’ (Athole). The melody was composed by Miss Magdalene Stirling (1765-1846) of Ardoch, Perthshire, around 1788. The Stirlings were an old Perthshire family, a branch of whom held lands in the parish of Muthill. Magdalene was a friend of Niel Gow and his son Nathaniel, who published a few of her compositions in their publications. She also published compositions under her own name. Caoimhin Mac Aoidh (1994) maintains the tune was commissioned for the Perthshire Hunt Ball. Hunter (1988) notes its opening "is one of the best examples of the use of the upstroke beginning to reels." As "Richmond Hill" the melody appears in George P. Knauff's Virginia Reels, volume II (Baltimore, 1839). In Ireland the tune goes by the title “The Boyne Hunt.”
This from George Penny’s Traditions of Perth, Containing Sketches of the Manners and Customs (1836, pg. 41).
Horseracing and archery were formerly much practiced in this quarter. It is a well authenticated fact, that the affair of 1745 [i.e. Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite rebellion] was concocted at the Perth races, which, prior to that period, were attended by noblemen from all parts of the kingdom. The disastrous events of that year put a stop to these amusements, and scattered the Scottish gentry to different parts of the continent; the effects of which were felt for 30 years. About 1784, the exiled families began to return, and many of the forfeited estates being restored, a new impulse was given to the country. Many of the gentlemen formed themselves into a body, styled the Perth- shire Hunt, and a pack of fox hounds was procured, and placed under the management of an experienced huntsman. Their meetings were held in October, and continued for a week, with balls and ordinaries every day. When the Caledonian Hunt held their meetings here, the assemblies continued for a fortnight. The present excellent racecourse was formed after the enlargement of the North Inch, and for a time the Perth Turf was among the best frequented in Scotland. Although races have continued to be held pretty regularly, they have lately greatly declined in point of attraction; seldom extending beyond two days, where they formerly occupied a week.
Source for notated version:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/scottskinner/display.php?ID=JSS0091
Source for notated version: Hector MacAndrew [Martin].
Printed sources: Anderson (Anderson's Budget of Strathspeys, Reels & Country Dances for the German Flute or Violin), Edinburgh, 1820; p. 27. Glen (The Glen Collection of Scottish Music), vol. 2, 1895; p. 5. Gow (The 2nd Collection of Niel Gow’s Reels), 1788; p. 2. Honeyman (Strathspey, Reel and Hornpipe Tutor), 1898; p. 34. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 247. Jones [Ed.] (Complete Tutor Violin), c. 1815; p. 4. Kerr (Merry Melodies, vol. 1), c. 1880’s; Set 10, No. 2, p. 8 (appears as "The Perth Hunt"). MacDonald (The Skye Collection), 1887; p. 19. Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; p. 124. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 1977; vol. 3, No. 4. Preston (24 Skinner (The Scottish Violinist), 1900; p. 29. Skinner (Harp and Claymore), 1904; p. 104. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; p. 4. Surenne (Dance Music of Scotland), 1852; p. 62.
Recorded sources: IRC Records, Michael Coleman - “The Musical Glory of Old Sligo” (1967).