Annotation:Highlands of Banffshire (The)
X:1 T:Highlands of Banffshire, The C:Capt. Fraser M:C L:1/16 R:Strathspey B: Joseph Lowe - Lowe's Collection of Reels, Strathspeys and Jigs, B:book 3 (1844–1845, p. 16) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:F d|cF3c3B A3FFf3|cF3c3B A4 A2f2|cF3c3B A3Fc3A|B3G _EFGA B4 B2:| b2|a3fc3f A3fc3b|a3fcB3 A4 A2b2|a3fc3f A3fcA3|B3G _EFGA B4 B2b2| a3fc3f A3fc3b|a3fc2B2 Ac3f3g|(3a2f2a2 (3g2e2g2 (3f2e2d2 (3c2B2A2|B2G2 _EFGA B4 B2||
HIGHLANDS OF BANFFSHIRE, THE (Braigh Bhanbh). Scottish, English, Canadian; Strathspey. Canada, Cape Breton. England, Northumberland. F Major (Athole, Fraser, Hunter, Kerr, Skinner, Skye): G Major (Hall & Stafford, Johnson). Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB (most versions): AABB' (Kerr). MacDonald's (The Skye Collection) source for the tune was Captain Simon Fraser's Knockie Collection, and the editor notes it can be found in the Inverness Collection, where the composition is also attributed to Capt. Fraser. Lowe also believes the tune originated with Fraser, though he notes Fraser himself did not claim it in his collection. Banffshire is located in the North East of Scotland between Aberdeenshire, Moray and Inverness. "The Highlands of Banffshire, extending south of the Spey, have been long famous for the best dancers of the strathspeys, which must have been well performed to inspire them sufficiently. In this district also lie the most picturesque scenery, the finest sporting grounds and deer forests, perhaps in Great Britain, belonging to the Duke of Gordon, Earl of Fife, &c., long inaccessible to strangers, from the badness of the roads, and want of bridges" (Fraser). Scottish violinist J. Scott Skinner added variations to Fraser's melody. See also the similar Northumbrian tune "Black Cock o' Whickham (The)."
