The Mowat family of Craigmaud Farm north of New Pitsligo [ch#] is very interesting. The name first caught my eye because John Mowat Senior gave songs to Gavin Greig, and John Junior was recorded both by J M Carpenter and KG. When I saw the KG Ole Miss listings they were under the heading 'Mowat Family' so I naturally assumed there were direct family relationships. between John Mowat, Emily Sinclair, Helen Scott and Mrs Stuart.
However, when I checked Tobar an Dualchais I learned that Emily Sinclair was the farm housekeeper, and that Helen, known as Ella, was also recorded at Little Burnthill Farm along with William [Wullie] Scott, who I assumed was her husband, and her maiden name was Mowat. Oh no!
The Scotts lived near Fraserburgh, so I tried the Broch Facebook page, and struck platinum. Ella Scott was still with us, aged 97, her brother Wullie had died some years ago, Ella Sinclair had been her aunt.
Julie Campbell, the wife of Ella's nephew Robert phoned me. Ella still lived independently, 'up a stair' in Fraserburgh, where she and Wullie had moved after the death of their father.
Natalie Chalmers, herself a Brocher, and Scott Gardiner, agree to visit and interview Ella when they were in the area, but when that became possible I found Ella had had a fall and was hospitalised., phone to check, Ella in hospital, a visit not a good idea. After seven weeks I checked again, and now Ella had been transferred to FB hospital, and was much improved. Natalie & Scott visited after all, on 20th April.
Details of their visit and discussion will be added here later.

Ole Miss lsting of some songs recorded at John Mowat's farm [give date##]

Description

Down on the Farm; The [indecipherable] Poets / Mrs. Sinclair and Mrs. Stuart; Barnyards o' Dilgaty / Mr. Howat; [indecipherable] / Mr. Mowat; Jamie Raeburn / Helen Scott; The Scottish Immigrant Farewell / Helen Scott; The High Roads of Pennan / Mrs. Sinclair; The Tinkers Wedding / Mrs. Sinclair; [indecipherable] / Mr. Howat

Description

This Cronie o' Mine / Mr. Howat; [indecipherable] River Banks / Mr. Howat; Bogieside / Mr. Howat; The Boghead Crew / Mrs. Sinclair; When the Chap Come Home / Mrs. Sinclair; Nancy Whiskey / Mr. Howat; The Gleamin' Star / Mrs. Stuart; The Bonnie Irish Boy / Mrs. Sinclair; Captain Wedderburn / Mr. Mowat

FROM Wilma Tait
Willie Scott is 3rd from left, Ella Scott is 4th from left and their sister Alice Campbell (nee Scott) 5th from left (she also played piano and accordion. This was taken at a party at Alice’s house(I’m the baby)