Fochabers is set to host a celebration of one of its most famous sons on Saturday 26 September, 1998. The music of William Marshall will be celebrated during a day of fiddle and dance workshops and talks at the Fochabers Institute, High Street, Fochabers between 10.00 am and
5.00 pm. The event will culminate at 7.30 pm with “Mr. Marshall’s Welcome” when the audience will be entertained by The Fochabers Fiddlers, Douglas Lawrence, Carmen Higgins and James Alexander. The Lyndsay Weir Band will provide music for dancing.
The event has been organised by the University of Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Institute in collaboration with The Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust and supported by W.A. Baxter & Sons Ltd, Chivas Brothers Ltd. and Christies (Fochabers) Ltd, The Nurseries.
William Marshall was born in Fochabers 250 years ago. At the age of 12, he entered the service of the Duke of Gordon where he later became butler and house steward to the family. Marshall had a love of learning which encompassed many things from astronomy to clock making but he is best remembered for his music.
During his lifetime, the poet Robert Burns described him as the “first composer of strathspeys of the age” and many of Marshall’s tunes are still well known today.
Ticket costs are:
Day tickets £1.50
Workshops £5.00 or £8.00 for those attending both
Evening Event £5.00/£3.00
Further Information from: The Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen,
Tel: 01224 272996