The ancient ballad of the Laird of Drum will be brought to life for children and their families from throughout the North-east at a special one-day event at Drum Castle on Sunday, September 12.
Youngsters from the age of eight will be able to take part in workshops with such well-known local celebrities as ballad singer and storyteller Stanley Robertson, musician and member of the popular band HallyRacket, Lorna MacLaren, and Sheena Blackhall, Creative Writing Fellow in Scots at the University of Aberdeen.
The Ballad of the Laird of Drum is a major ballad, which tells the story of Alexander Irvine, the 10th Laird of Drum from 1638-1687. In 1682, at the age of 63, he married his second wife Margaret Coutts, the 16-year-old daughter of a shepherd. The five-year marriage, which gave rise to the ballad, was looked down upon by his family who did not approve of the class difference.
Stanley Robertson, nephew of the late Jeannie Robertson who used to perform the ballad, will launch the event by telling the story of the Laird and the Shepherd girl who became his wife. To mark the event, Sheena has also written a new ballad called Elphinstone’s Salute tae Drum, which has been put to music by Mary Anne Alburger, Peter Hall Fellow of the University’s Elphinstone Institute.
Twenty-four Irvine lairds have lived in Drum Castle, one of the loveliest castles on Royal Deeside, from the time of Bruce. By a curious co-incidence, Sheena Blackhall’s ancestor, General John Middleton defeated Alexander Irvine, the 10th Laird, in a minor battle during the wars of the Covenanters and Royalists, in 1646. At that time the Laird’s wife was Lady Mary Gordon. Members of the public who will like to attend the event should contact Sally Atkins at the Elphinstone Institute on 01224 272996.