Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of his 2nd Wife

Niel Gow, Perthshire’s most famous fiddler, was born in Strathbraan, west of Dunkeld and spent most of his live in Inver.

Teaching himself as a child, before receiving instruction from John Cameron of Grandtully in his teens, Niel showed tremendous aptitude on the instrument and went on to win first prize at an open competition in Perth aged only 18.

He became a sought after musician and received the patronage of the Duke and Duchess of Atholl (an annuity of five pounds!), regularly performing for them at Blair Castle and Dunkeld House.

Some 87 compositions have been attributed to Niel Gow, many of which have become often played Scottish fiddle ‘standards’. His reels and jigs such as ‘The Stool of Repentance’ and ‘Mrs Macleod’s Reel’ can often be heard at ceilidhs, whereas his famous slow airs such as ‘Niel Gow’s Lament for the Death of his 2nd Wife’ have been recorded by countless musicians worldwide.

#nielgow #Dunkeld #Inver #Perthshire #music