Niel Gow (1727-1807) was born in Inver, Perthshire, and became possibly the most famous Scottish fiddler of the 18th century. He composed a lot of dance music (and was, like many of his contemporaries, not above pinching good tunes by other composers to publish under his own name).
Many of his compositions are still played today at ceilidhs and country dances. He himself spelled his name Niel, although others sometimes spell it Neil or even Neal. (To add to the confusion he had a very musical grandson who did spell his name "Neil".)
NielGow (1727-1807) was born in Inver, Perthshire, as the son of John Gow and Catherine McEwan.
Of Niel's sons, Nathaniel is by far the most well-known and another fine composer of Scottish music, with nearly 200 tunes to his credit.
NielGow composed a lot of dance music - according to John Glen (1895) he put his name to 87 tunes, "some of which are excellent" - much of which forms the backstay of Scottish country dance music even today.
NielGow was born on 22nd March 1727 in Strathbraan, west of Dunkeld, to John Gow and Catherine McEwan.
NielGow was a man who was highly respected in all levels of society primarily as a musician but also as a straightforward, honest man with a pawky sense of humour.
NielGow had his portrait painted by Henry Raeburn and it was subscribed by the nobility and gentlemen at the Perth Assembly.
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