This is an appeal of sorts. I'm hoping to get a commemorative stone put up to the violin makers Matthew and Thomas Hardie in Greyfriars kirkyard in Edinburgh in the New Year. In 1826 Matthew Hardie, master violin maker of Edinburgh, died in poverty in St Cuthbert�s Poorhouse and was buried in a pauper�s grave in Greyfriars kirkyard. So good were Matthew�s violins that he later earned the nick-name "The Scottish Stradivari". There is however no stone to commemorate Matthew, nor one to commemorate his son Thomas, buried beside his father, who carried on the family business until his own early death in 1858.
I think that's a great shame. We commemorate writers, artists, scientists etc, but Scotland seems to have a number of first class instrument makers throughout its history and to the best of my knowledge these people have been ignored. There's no record whatsoever of the Hardies at Greyfriars - par for the course for those in unmarked paupers' graves. It would be nice if visitors to Greyfriars were made aware that a) great Scottish makers like the Hardies and their like existed and b) they are buried there. If anybody has a Hardie or other Scottish made fiddle, or would like more information on Hardie or the project please get in touch with me directly. I have set up a Treasurers Fund (with Iain Fraser) for the funds to pay for the stone. Incidentally Hardie's descendant Alastair (author of the Caledonian Companion etc) is very much behind the project. Any support appreciated Cheers Eric Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
