Annotation:Miss McLeod of Colbeck (2)

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MISS McLEOD OF COLBECK [2]. Scottish, Strathspey. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'B. Composed by Edinburgh musician and music publisher Biography:William Shepherd (c. 1750-1812). The tune is perhaps named for one of the five young daughters of Colonel John MacLeod of Colbeck, whose family wealth derived in past generations from shipbuilding, trading, and the Colbeck Estate Plantation and slave holdings on the island of Jamaica. Many sources say that in 1782 he married his first cousin, Jane (or Jean) Macleod, a daughter of John Macleod 10th or 11th Laird of Raasay (Western Isles), but there seems to be some confusion in various accounts whether it was Colonel John or his father "Planter" John, who married Jane. MacLeod raised a troop under and became Colonel of the Princess Charlotte of Wales or MacLeod Loyal Fencible Highlanders, which helped to garrison Ireland from the time it was embodied and inspected in Elgin by Major-General Leith Hay, in June, 1799, till it was reduced at Tynemouth early in 1804. MacLeod and his wife were ranked among the “fashionables” in London, resided in Cheltenham, and were considered sociable hosts, with their “lovely amiable daughters”; Mrs. Colbeck was described by Charles Edward Horn (1786–1849) as "a very delightful musician and singer." John Colbeck died in 1823 ; the Piobaireachd "MacLeod of Colbeck's Lament/Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck" is said to have been composed for him.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Shepherd (A Collection of Strathspey Reels), 1793; p. 11.

Recorded sources:

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