A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gow, Neil

GOW, Neil, [App. p.819 "first name should be spelt 'Niel' (on the authority of J. Cuthbert Hadden, Esq.)"] was born at Strathband, Perthshire, in 1727 [App. p.653 "March 22"], of humble parents. At a very early age he showed a taste for music, and at nine began to play the violin. He was self-instructed until the age of thirteen, when he received some lessons from John Cameron, a retainer of Sir George Stewart, of Grandtully. He became distinguished by his performance of Scotch tunes, particularly strathspeys and reels, in which he has probably never been excelled or equalled. His fame soon reached London, and his assistance was long sought at fashionable balls and assemblies. He had an uncommonly powerful bow hand, particularly in the up stroke. He was ably supported by his brother, Donald, on the violoncello. Gow died at Inver, near Dunkeld, in 1807 [App. p.653 "March 1"]. He published several collections of Scotch tunes, including many of his own composition. He had four sons, all excellent violinists in the same style as their father. The eldest, Nathaniel, published 'The Beauties of Neil Gow,' in six books, and several other collections of Scotch melodies. [App. p.653 "Nathaniel Gow, born at Inver, May 28, 1766, died in Edinburgh, Jan. 19, 1831, wrote the song 'Caller Herrin'.' He held a position in the fashionable world of Edinburgh similar to that held by his father, and in his later years had received a pension from George IV. His brother, Neil, composed the songs 'Flora Macdonald's Lament' and 'Bonnie Prince Charlie.'"]

[ W. H. H. ]