The Glenbuchat Image Library
10 Fiddle making Glenbuchat connection
Alex Murdoch was born in Glenbuchat, Strathdon, in 1815, the son of an agricultural labourer, and died in Aberdeen 26 November 1891. Murdoch was a very prolific, if somewhat uninspiring maker, and many of his robust instruments are in regular use today. He was originally in business with a partner as a musical instrument dealer with premises in the Aberdeen Market. Latterly his workshop was in Minister Lane, which ran from Kidd Lane to Skene Street.
From “Scottish Notes and Queries”
My old acquaintance Sandy Murdoch, of the Upperkirkgate of Aberdeen, who belonged either to Strathdon or Glenbucket, was a violin-maker of some reputation in his day. When times were dry Sandy would make a fiddle in the course of a forenoon out of part of an old soap-box or herring barrel, or any kind of wood that came to his hands. One he showed me was alleged to be constructed from the ribs of a superannuated meal "girnal." The artist priced these instruments at 5/-, and he always got the money. His best fiddles, however, though not famous for the quality of their tone, are said to be worth at least £3.
Picture added on 26 January 2010 at 22:55
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He was born in Glenbuchat on 27 August 1815 and died in Aberdeen on 2 November 1892 (he is buried in Nellfield Kirkyard). His parents were Robert Murdoch and Jean MacKenzie. On 18 August 1842 he married Isobel (Isabella) Ingram, a native of Rothiemay, Banffshire, at Glenbuchat. Much of their married live was spent in Glunbuchat and at 8 Minister Lane, Aberdeen, but the 1881 census finds the family at 23 Blackburn St, Govan, Lanarkshire. On 18 Aug 1842 at Glenbuchat he married married Isobel Ingram. Their daughter, Mary, married James Lawson from Durris, Kincardineshire. He is my second cousin four times removed.