Annotation:Bonny Braes of Skelmorly (The)

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X:1 T:Bonny Braes of Skelmorly, The M:C| L:1/8 R:Reel B:John Riddell of Ayr – Collection of Scots Reels, Minuets &c. B:for the Violin (1782, p. 44) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:C (F|ED)CE cGGc|GEcE D(dd)e|cGGc GEc(E|FD)GF ECC:| g|Te>dcg ecgc|BGdG eGdG|Te>dcg ecgc|A/B/c (.G.c) e(cc)g| Te>dcg ecgc|TB>AGd BGdG|ceGc AcE(G|FD)GF ECC||



BONNY BRAES OF SKELMORLY, THE. AKA - "Bonny Braes of Skelmorlie." Scottish, Reel (cut time). C Major (Riddell): D Major (Kennedy). Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. Glen finds the tune first published in 1782 second collection (p. 44) of blind amateur Ayrshire fiddle-composer biography:John Riddell (1718‑95), said to have been of the family of Glencarnock (although this has been disputed). Skelmorlie/Skelmorly is a manor in Ayrshire, and was the inheritance of Lilias Montgomery, who had the estate from her grand-uncle, Sir Hugh Montgomery, in October, 1735. Sir Hugh had been one of the first merchants in Glasgow, and was a Commissioner for the Treaty of Union (between Scotland and England). Lilias married Alexander Montgomery of Coilsfield, with whom she had eight children, including Hugh Montgomery, 9th Earl of Eglinton. She died in 1783.

Printed source:

Additional notes

Source for notated version: -

Printed sources : - Kennedy (Traditional Dance Music of Britain and Ireland, vol. 2: Reels and Rants), 1997; No. 9, p. 4. Riddell (Collection of Scots Reels, Minuets, &c.), 1782; p. 44.

Recorded sources: -



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