Captain Simon Fraser


1773 - 1852

Fiddler, collector and composer of folk tunes. Born in Ardachie (Highland). He entered the army and on retiring farmed at Knockie. His main contribution was researching and compiling his Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles (1816), which contains 235 tunes and remains an important reference today. However, experts are divided as to the extent to which he rewrote these or faithfully reproduced indigenous music. Carefully not to court controversy, and protect his weak financial position, Fraser omitted many songs which could be construed as supporting the Jacobites. Fraser corresponded with Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832).


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