Letter to Grant from Scott Skinner (front)

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).<br /> <br /> Grant was a great friend of fellow musician and composer James Scott Skinner, (1843-1927), a major figure in the development of Scottish traditional music, often referred to as 'The Strathspey King'. This letter (undated) was sent to Grant by Skinner from his new home in Monikie, by Dundee, which cost £900. With the letter, Skinner encloses music for his 'favourite air to Lord Byron's undying words'. This is probably 'Dark Lochnagar', a poem written by Byron in 1807. On the back of the letter Skinner has added 'I sold over 500 of your march!'