Christmas was No Big Deal in the Highlands in 1812

Old book with pen, on old wooden desk

I just remembered a tiny detail about Sir John Macgregor Murray that didn’t make it  into my recent Folk Music Journal article!

213 years ago today, we’d have found him at his writing desk, Christmas Day or not.  He was writing to Lewis Gordon about,

‘inspecting the Materials collected by the Society.’

This was in connection with the Gaelic dictionary project.  In fairness, they didn’t make a big splash of Christmas then. At least he was doing something he enjoyed!

***

‘Sir John Macgregor Murray: Preserver of Highland Culture, Music and Song’. Folk Music Journal vol. 13 no.1, pp.50-63. 

Season’s Greetings! Even Research Fellows Take a Break …

So, the book was published. What next, you ask? Well, I’ve recently submitted a couple of articles, one about some women related to Scottish music publishers, and one about an 18th-19th century supporter of Highland culture. I’m patiently waiting to hear if either article finds a home – and impatiently waiting to see if the book gets decent reviews! I see a couple of libraries have already got it in stock, which is comforting.

Now, I have an article to write (about two famous Scottish singers) and then in January I’m off on a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Edinburgh. These are exciting times!

Twirling like a Top?

However, first it’s time for the crescendo of Christmas to reach its peak, and then a few days of diminuendo and rallentando to a graceful pause. I generally find that after I’ve recovered from organising the family festivities, I’m raring to get going on some writing, so hopefully I’ll get that article at least drafted before I embark on the Edinburgh adventure.

Meanwhile, I hope everyone gets just the right balance of rest, relaxation and fun. If it’s a quiet or subdued time for you, then I hope that you’ll find solace in the small things, and the comfort and companionship of friends.

Back soon!