Letter on Alexander Grant's 'Rondello', 22 March 1928, page 1

This copy letter dated 22 March 1928, from Thomas Macdonald to D. Morison, Assistant Leader of the Highland Strathspey and Reel Society, refers to the 'Rondello', a disc-shaped violin invented by Alexander Grant, Inverness. It appears that in a recent copy of the 'Ayrshire Post', a fiddle-maker by the name of Nash has been laying claim to the invention of the 'Rondello'. Mr. Macdonald suggests the article be brought to the attention of the Highland Strathspey and Reel Society.<br /> <br /> Alexander Grant (1856 - 1942) was a native of Battangorm, Carrbridge, which gave rise to his familiar name - 'Battan'. As a boy he was exposed to what were to become his two great passions - fiddling and fishing. He went on to excel in both areas; as an angler by inventing his own unique fishing rod known as the 'Grant Vibration Rod', and as a fiddler by leading the Highland Strathspey and Reel Society for almost forty years and by becoming an expert in fiddle making techniques. He also invented a unique disc-shaped violin known as a 'Rondello'. An example of Grant's fishing rod, fiddle and Rondello can be seen at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (IMAG)