Product Description

Belle Stewart (nee MacGregor) was born in 1906 in a bow tent on the banks of the river Tay, into a travelling family of tinkers and pearlfishers. When she was seven months old, Belle's father died, and the family was no longer able to travel full-time. They settled in Blairgowrie, scraping a living picking fruit and potatoes. Growing up, Belle was surrounded by stories and songs that had been passed down over centuries through the generations of Scottish travellers. She continued learning, singing and writing songs as she travelled around Scotland and Ireland with her piper husband Alec Stewart, who she married in 1925. Perhaps her best known song, "The Berryfields o' Blair", spread amongst the travellers and was collected by Hamish Henderson in the 1950s. He managed to track down Belle as the writer of the song and so began to record the songs and stories of her family. The 'Stewarts o' Blair', as they were known, became stars of the folk scene, performing in concerts all over Europe and the United States. Belle's performances were compelling. Dazzling audiences with her warmth and elegance, she was awarded a BEM by the queen for her contribution to folk music. She died in 1997. In "Queen of the Heather", Sheila Stewart tells the moving story of her mother's life and career. Interspersed with the Stewarts' songs and stories told in Perthshire cant, this biography is an insightful and personal tribute to one of Scotland's most renowned folk singers, as well as to the rich culture of the travelling people.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38563 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-02
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 194 pages

About the Author
Sheila Stewart is the last in the line of the Stewarts of Blair. She spent her childhood travelling all over Scotland and working on farms with her family. From 1954 she sang in concerts with her parents and her sister Cathie. An acclaimed story teller and ballad singer, she also lectures on the oral culture of the travelling people.

Customer Reviews

Queen Amang the Heather
Once in a while a classic book appears which will outlive us all, and this is one. It tells the story of Belle Stewart, one of the finest folk composers and singers Britain has ever seen, who had a lowly beginning in a tent. She was a 'tinker' and the whole world was against her and her people. Yet she went on to write outstanding folk songs and to be recognized as an oustanding musician, one of the 'Stewarts of Blair'. The book is packed with sadness and humour as she struggled to be recognized for the natural talent she had. It makes it a thoroughly readable book (by her daughter. Massively recommended for anyone to read, and would make a fine gift for someone special.

Book about Belle
I recently read this book,and I couldn't put it down. It is a great insight into the life of a traveller woman born at the start of the century. Sheila tells the story of her mother Belle and also the rest of her family wonderfully. The stories,songs and poems made it more enjoyable than the average biography.I would recomend this book to anyone, it's well worth reading.

Queen Amang the Heather.
This book is fantastic, its kept me hooked from the first page to the last and Sheila's style comes across beautifully. The book is a beautiful mix of biography about the life of Belle and her family, songs, stories and poems and it really is a gem. Words can't fully explain so your all just going to have to get a copy and see for yourselves.