‘still crossing the Queensferry in a miserable sailing boat, and the Tay at Inver for the last time in the large flat boat. When next we passed our boundary river the handsome bridge was built over it at Dunkeld, the little inn at Inver was done up, and Neil (sic) Gow was dead, the last of our bards – no one again will ever play Scotch musick as he did.’

Travellers heading north from Edinburgh invariably passed over the ferry at Inver and many stayed at the inn. They too, like Elizabeth Grant, must have thought that: ‘it was pleasure to return to the quiet inn at Inver to dine and rest, and have Neil Gow in the evening to play the violin.’

Others who came to visit the Hermitage and enjoy the beauty of Atholl also enjoyed Gow’s magical fiddle, including Robert Burns. During a post-chaise tour Burns records in his diary: ‘Neil Gow plays; a short, stout-built Highland figure, with his greyish eyes shed on his honest social brow – an interesting face, marking strong sense, kind open-heartedness, mixed with un-mistrusting simplicity – visit his house.’ At this time Burns wrote the lyrics to the tune ‘Loch Erroch side’ and further requested Gow to play his ‘Lament for Abercairney’ and ‘McIntosh’s Lament’.

Gow lived from 1727 – 1807, 80 years of great change in the Highlands, all spent in the same area of Strathbraan and Inver where his cottage still stands today. Born to a farming family it was intended that he should become a weaver but his early skill with the fiddle marked him out for a career in music.

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