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The Source Of Spey strathspey

By Lachlan McPherson

Also known as Madhair Spea, Mathair Spe, Meg Mhor Na Lurachan.

There are 5 recordings of this tune.

The Source Of Spey has been added to 2 tune sets.

The Source Of Spey has been added to 39 tunebooks.

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One setting

1
X: 1
T: The Source Of Spey
R: strathspey
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Emin
B/|:G<EE>F G>AB<e|d<BB>A G>AB<e|G<EE>F G>AB<e|d<BB>G A2 A>B:|
|:e>fg>e d>eB<e|d<Bg>e d>e g2|1 e>fg>e d>eB<g|
d<BB>G A2 A>B:|2 e<Bg<B a>Bb>a|g>ed>B A>GA3/2||

Five comments

This Strathpey comes from the playing of the fantastic Scottish fiddler, John Martin, who recorded it with Ossian on their second album, St. Kilda Wedding, in 1978.

Lachlan McPherson of Strathmashy is said to be the author of the tune (or so the booklet says).

The Source Of Spey

From “The Airs & Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles…” 1816 (New Edition, 1874):

“This was acquired by the editor’s grandfather from Lachlan McPherson of Strathmashy…He lived near the source of Spey, and it has every chance of being his composition, as he was a genuine poet, and sung with taste and spirit.”

Funny…I was doing some research on the internet and ended up with exactly the same information…

So the booklet seems to be right, then.

There is also a lovely recording of it by McGregor, Brechin and O’headhra on the album Sonas.

It goes by the name “Meg Mhor na Lurachan” in the Athole Collection of 1884.