Sally-Anne Scott is the 2012 recipient of Clan Currie’s harp scholarship
Sally-Anne Scott a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow has been selected to receive the annual Col. William McMurdo Currie Memorial Scholarship for the Clarsach.
The scholarship, sponsored by the Clan Currie Society, was launched in 2009 as part of Scotland’s first Year of Homecoming at a public reception at Glasgow City Chambers. The scholarship is named for the founder of the Clan Currie Society, Col. William McMurdo Currie.
The clarsach is a small harp and all students studying it as part of the Glasgow-based Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Scottish traditional music degree program will be eligible to apply.
About Sally-Anne Scott
Born in Lancaster, Scott lived in the little village of Silverdale. Her family moved from Silverdale to the Scottish Borders and finally in 2006 to the Isle of Harris. Scott reflects, “I would say I grew up on Harris, both as a person and as a musician.”
In her last year of primary school, Sally-Anne took up the keyboard and accordion and I took part in singing competitions. In her second year at Secondary school, she took part in the Duke of Edinburgh award, teaching clarsach and accordion to youngsters in the community. She also joined the Gaelic choir (which took her away to the annual National Mod Competition across Scotland). She was also involved with a variety of folk groups where she gained experience in both backing and improvisation on the clarsach and accordion.
It was while was in her second year, that she decided to study the clarsach. She joined the Lewis Harp Group and began having lessons once a month with Wendy Stuart and Alison Kinnaird who both influenced her greatly. She soon set her sights on a career in music and she made it her goal to get a place at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she starts her studies this month.
Scott added, “I am delighted to be the recipient of the Clan Currie Clarsach Scholarship. I am looking forward to many doors being opened to me. I am beginning to feel that I will be able to live my dream of being a part of this huge musical world.”
About Col. William McMurdo Currie (1916 – 1992)
The son of John Currie of Balilone and Helen Currie [nee McMurdo], Col. William McMurdo Currie led an illustrious life, highlighted by a distinguished military service during the Second World War and a lifelong commitment to sharing his extensive knowledge of the Clan Currie, anciently the Clan MacMhuirich.
Col. William McMurdo Currie, founder of the Clan Currie Society
He was raised in Glasgow and attended the Royal College of Science and Technology, as well as the Glasgow Art School. In 1939 he joined the British Special Services. Cited for numerous acts of bravery, Sir William was recipient of a host of military honours including among others the Tunisian Order of Glory [1943], the Polish Virtuti Militari [1944] and the Croix de Guerre de Allies [1945].
An avid historian, author, and genealogist, he was a Fellow of the Royal Celtic Society and the Society of Antiquitaries of Scotland. His publications included A History of the Curries of Cowal [1973], With Sword and Harp – The History of the Clan Currie [1977], and An Historical Description of Loch Lomond and District [1979].
The Clan Currie harp scholarship was established in 2009
Clan Currie Society president Robert Currie (left) is joined by the Rt. Hon. Bob Winter, Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow, to announce the establishment of the Col. William McMurdo Currie Memorial Scholarship for the Clarsach in July 2009.
Currie is also joined by “Pipes of Christmas” harpist, Jennifer Port of Golspie, Scotland. Port is also a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.