The proceeds from an album of tracks played on a violin which is over 200 years old are going towards funding a statue of the instrument’s legendary owner.
Work on the statue of Dunkeld fiddler Niel Gow is under way, with hopes it will be unveiled at next year’s eponymous Niel Gow Festival.
Now in its 16th year, the 2018 festival will be held at Birnam Arts Club next month.
Set up to memorialise the 18th century violinist, the festival has almost reached its goal of raising enough money to build a statue of the Dunkeld musician in his home town.
The fund is being topped up with money raised from local musician Pete Clark, who has recorded a special album of tracks performed on Gow’s favourite fiddle.
Pete said: “We started running the festival 16 years ago and it’s been running as a charity for the last five or six.
“We’ve been putting the money aside for this project and we’re about two thirds of the way there.
“After I was on television talking about Niel Gow, I was contacted by a man from the Scottish Borders who owned Gow’s last fiddle.
“I was able to borrow it again for a couple of days, and as it’s in such brilliant condition, I’ve been able to record an album of tracks in Dunkeld. Some of them are solo and some are with Muriel Johnstone from Pitlochry.”
Pete is aiming to unveil the statue at the 2020 festival.
He said: “We’re hoping to get permission to locate the statue on a paved area near The Cross in Dunkeld. Gow lived in the village for 80 years and the festival will continue as a living memorial after the statue is finished.”
Cupar-based artist David Annand has been tasked with immortalising the fiddler in bronze.
David said: “Niel Gow lived a long time ago and performed for the likes of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Robert Burns.
“I started working on the statue a while ago and it’s beginning to take shape now. The head is nearly done, but I’m going to revisit it before I finish.
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“The statue is a three quarter size scale model, and is being based on two paintings – one forward facing and one side profile.
“His music is wonderful, and that certainly makes the sculpting a lot easier!”
The artist, who created the famous Nae Day Sae Dark statue on Perth High Street, and Jimmy Shand memorial in Auchtermuchty, has experience in creating sculptures for historical musical festivals.
He added: “Nine years ago, I created a sculpture of Rory Gallagher in Ballyshannon, Donegal for a similar type of festival. There’s a festival held over there with tribute bands that’s great fun.”
Tickets for this year’s Niel Gow Festival, starting on March 15, can be bought online or from Birnam Arts Club.
