Crathie School
William Blair
Crathie, 1793–1884
Celebrated traditional Scots fiddler, popularly known as ‘The Queen’s Fiddler’, often playing for Royal Family in Balmoral. Taught violin making by Matthew Hardie in Edinburgh, although his achievements in this field were modest. — John Dilworth
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
BLAIR, William Born 1793, died 1884 Crathie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland UK. Celebrated traditional Scots fiddler, popularly known as ‘The Queen’s Fiddler’, often playing for Royal Family in Balmoral. Taught violin making by Matthew Hardie in Edinburgh, although his achievements in this field were modest.
William Meredith Morris+
He made several instruments on various models. The workmanship is fairly good, but the tone is very indifferent. He baked his wood, and used a hard spirit varnish. He was a noted character, well-known in the North as ” The Queen’s Fiddler.” The fiddle of his own make upon which he played for many years at Balmoral is now in the possession of the author. I have given full biographical particulars in my sketch of this worthy in another volume.
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