The Stewarts are a proud family of Scots travellers who claim descent from the Royal House of Stewart and who have music in their bones. Belle Stewart was one of the great traditional ballad singers and her daughters, Sheila and Cathie, inherited the family talent in full measure. Belle’s husband Alex Stewart was a fine exponent of the Highland warpipes. For The Travelling Stewarts album the family were joined by many of their relatives, including Jeannie Robertson, Lizzie Higgins and Davy Stewart.
“You’ll never see me laughing or shouting at a Pakistani or anybody like that; no, never… Long, long years ago when I was a wee boy. My auld mother told me that all travellers came from the same place as these people. and so I never do anything that might offend them. Anyway, they`re having a hard time of it. just like the travellers…” – Davy Stewart, itinerant singer.
1 Johnnie, My Man Lizzie Higgins
2 Willie’s Fatal Visit Jeannie Robertson
3 The Battle’s O’er; Scotland the Brave; The 51st Division in Egypt Played by Donald and Isaac Higgins, pipes
4 Bogie’s Bonnie Belle Jane Stewart
5 McGinty’s Meal and Ale Davy Stewart
6 My Bonnie Tammy Christina Stewart
7 MacPherson’s Lament Maggie McPhee
8 The Drunken Piper; Brig o’ Perth; Reel o’ Tulloch Played by Alex Stewart, pipes
9 Loch Dhui Belle Stewart acc. Alex Stewart, goose
10 The Dawning of the Day Cathie Stewart, acc. Alex Stewart, goose
11 Donald’s Return to Glencoe Sheila Stewart
Recorded in Scotland by Bill Leader, 1967
First Issued by Topic 1968
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