Hill of Lochiel

[themuse]

Hello,
I am new here & trying to find information about an old air. The lyrics & tune manuscript are posted on this site.
It is called the Hill of Lochiel
I am a musician & wondering if anyone knows the origin of the melody or the lyrics. Thanks to this site I have some of the history.
Any specifics would be appreciated.
Also I love playing the tune & am trying to find out whether or not it is in the public domain. My interests are personal (not commercial)
but I try to be careful not to violate anyone's copyright.
Cheers,
Auburn

[themuse]

Please, does anyone know the specific history of "The Hill of Lochiel"?

[themuse]

Thank you so much. Yes, "the reason it was created and the definitive inspiration." That is precisely my interest. I am just beginning to look into musical history. Do you know how widespread the song was
sung during the 18th century? I do not read Gaelic but would love to hear a recording if any is available.
Gaelic or English - any version would be great.
Thanks for your interest.
Auburn Steen

[ChrisDoak]

Hi Auburn and Sean,

I think that possibly the musical score for " Hill of Lochiel "given on our Archives,is maybe not the correct tune (but not our fault).

I have had a look at "The Jacobite Relics of Scotland",James Hogg (1821),from which it comes,and Hogg confirms that it was sent to him by a Captain John Steuart.

However,in a tiny wee erratta at the end of the book (which I came upon by chance),Hogg states that the air given for "Hill of Lochiel" is the wrong one.The air is,in fact,the popular tune to the Robert Burn's song "The Banks of the Devon".He says that the song with the correct air is apparently given in "The Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland",Captain Simon Fraser,1816.

I'll need to see if I can find that volume,and just find out exactly what is given for the song,and if there is a bit more background to it.

Regards,Chris.

Chris Doak,
Scotland.

[themuse]

What an interesting twist. I thank you for finding something so obscure.

[themuse]

Hello Chris,
Your post helps to explain why I could not pin down details previously.
Here is a note I found on the Burns air from Andrew Kuntz's Fiddler's Companion
BANKS OF THE DEVON. The tune was noted by Robert Burns near Inverness, Scotland, and appears in the Scots Musical Museum (1787, No. 157), although it was originally a Gaelic song called “Bhanarach dhonn a' chruidh” (The Brown Milkmaid), published in Patrick McDonald’s 1784 collection. The river Devon flows south of the Ochil hills, and the nearby residence of Harviestoun was the abode of Charlotte Hamilton, the subject of his song (he also wrote his last song, “Fairest Maid on the Devon Banks” in honor of her).