"To be kept in it's natural idiom for all time" Gavin Greig M.A.
The Society was founded in March 1984 by our Founder President
Mr James M Duncan, in order to keep alive in a fast changing world
all the old and true traditions of Buchan in Music, Song, Verse, Drama
and Olde Tyme Dance.
With this in mind, Mr Duncan initiated monthly concerts every third
Wednesday throughout the year. These concerts were, and continue to
be, very popular. They consist mainly of performances and appearances
of some of the most talented people from Buchan and this North East
corner of Britain.
With a view to involving the younger people in these old traditions,
the Society decided to hold an Annual Festival of Music, Song, Verse
and Drama with competitions in different sections, for all age groups.
Strichen, with its large public hall was found to be the perfect venue.
To produce a Festival on this scale by a handful of people was a big
step. It was after all just a small society of some 130 members with
hardly any funds. However, with a lot of determination and hard work
it was a complete success and continues still to be so.
After the re introduction of the Old Tyme Dance at our Festival, the
Old Tyme Dancing flourished in the area and a number of groups started
up and have continued to be very popular.
Mr James Duncan was instrumental in initiating the production of
the Society's Annual Magazine called 'Heirskip'. 'Heirskip' is an
old Scottish word for heritage or inheritance. This is an excellent
magazine unique of its kind and much sought after by the folk of the
North East, lovers of the Doric Language, and those who enjoy reading
about the "old days" . The aim of 'Heirskip' is to reflect
in print the aims of the Society and to preserve the heritage which
is ours, a heritage which will be lost without some expenditure of
effort on our part.
It has always been the aim of the Society to keep ever fresh the
memory of those who were greatly talented and highly acclaimed in
the area in the past. From time to time a special concert is held
featuring many of our best musicians, entertainers, scholars, members
and supporters to commemorate these people. Our first special evening
was for John M Henderson - Fiddler, New Deer, and was followed by
similar evenings to commemorate the memories of Gavin Greig Collector
of Folk Song and Music, Whitehills, J C Milne Poet, Memsie, Peter
Buchan - Poet, Peterhead, Charles Roy Skinner Life Member, Fraserburgh.
In April 2002 Ian Middleton of Arradoul was the subject of our next
special evening which was held in Longside Parish Church Hall where
compere Robert Lovie performed some of Ian's poems to perfection.
In October 2003 the society presented a complete set of "The
Greig Duncan Folk Song Collection " to Aberdeenshire Schools
Library Service for the use of youngster all over the north east.
The presentation was made by Mrs E Watt, Gavin Greig's last surviving
grandchild, at a special concert held in New Deer
In November 2005 Rev. Charles Birnie, founder member, past chairman
and society chaplain was presented with a CD and framed score of a
tune entitled "Rev Charles John Birnie which was specially composed
and played by James Alexander at a tribute concert held in the Ritchie
Hall Strichen in his honour.
The Society has erected a small plaque in memory of the late Hector
MacAndrew in the grounds of Fyvie Castle, where for so many years
he was the gardener. We also established a Gavin Greig Memorial Competition
Fund, which awards prizes to schoolchildren. This award is usually
made at the Festival in May.
In September 1997 a Rowan tree was planted in the grounds of Aden
Country Park Mintlaw in memory of our Founder President James M Duncan.
In September 1999 a Young Entertainer of the Year Competition was
introduced to promote and encourage our younger generations and has
proved very successful. The aim of the competition has its emphasis
more on entertainment value than perfect performance but proficiency
obviously plays a large part.
