Glenbuchat Heritage

103 Alexander Murdoch Fiddle Maker Glenbucket

Alexander Murdoch Violin Maker Glenbucket.

Alexander Murdoch, was born at Glenbucket, Strathdon in 1815, and began to make violins there in 1852; he moved to Aberdeen about the year 1867.

The pictures above show a sample of his violins and an advertisement for his instruments in 1855 while he was living at Bridge of Bucket.
Text of the above advertisement:

TO MUSICIANS. —VIOLINS.
THE Subscriber begs to intimate to the Musical Public and others, that he has for some time past devoted 'considerable attention to the making of VIOLINS, and, from practical experience in construction of the Instruments, on improved principles, he has the satisfaction to intimate that he has made a number that have exceeded in quality and brilliancy of tone at least the most sanguine expectations of those who have honoured him with their patronage. Amongst many others, who have approved of his Instruments, as well as become possessors of the same, he has the permission to refer the public to the undermentioned parties, in Strathdon; —Messrs Walker, Castle Newe; Wattie, Bellabeg; McGregor, Parkvilla; Cran, Glencuie; Don, Heughhead, &c., &c., whose judgment and practical ability in performing on the Violin is well known in this and other parts of the country. moderate charges for approved new Violins, as well repairs or alterations on old Instruments, he hopes to merit continuance of Patronage from all those wishing a Good Fiddle, or Bad one made Better. Orders will be promptly attended to, by calling personally at, or by letter to, ALEXANDER MURDOCH, Castletown, Glenbucket, by Bridge of Bucket, Aberdeenshire. Inspection of Instruments invited. March 17, 1855.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 28 March 1855

The following are comments written about his life and instrument making.

Alex Murdoch was born in Glenbuchat, Strathdon, in 1815, the son of an agricultural labourer, and died in Aberdeen 26 November 1891. Murdoch was a very prolific, if somewhat uninspiring maker, and many of his robust instruments are in regular use today. He was originally in business with a partner as a musical instrument dealer with premises in the Aberdeen Market. Latterly his workshop was in Minister Lane, which ran from Kidd Lane to Skene Street.


Alexander Murdoch, Aberdeen, was born at Glenbucket, Strathdon, 1815, and began to make violins there in 1852; he removed to Aberdeen about the year 1867. Nearly all the works of Murdoch which I have seen are of the coarsest description ...

Murdoch Violin
From “Scottish Notes and Queries”

My old acquaintance Sandy Murdoch, of the Upper Kirkgate of Aberdeen, who belonged either to Strathdon or Glenbucket, was a violin-maker of some reputation in his day. When times were dry Sandy would make a fiddle in the course of a forenoon out of part of an old soap-box or herring barrel, or any kind of wood that came to his hands. One he showed me was alleged to be constructed from the ribs of a superannuated meal "girnal." The artist priced these instruments at 5/-, and he always got the money. His best fiddles, however, though not famous for the quality of their tone, are said to be worth at least £3. J.F.G.

From David Rattray Violin Making in Scotland 1750-1950

Alexander Murdoch
Violin Aberdeen 1879

A prolific but often derided maker, Alexander Murdoch was the author of ‘The Fiddle in Scotland’. He was born in 1815, the son of an agricultural labourer at Glenbuchat, Strathdon, and dies in Aberdeen in 1891. By 1865 he was working independently in Aberdeen, when he is first listed as a musical instrument maker. In 1875 his shop was at 9 Minister Lane and around 1880 he became a partner in the business of Murdoch and Dingwall, Violin makers at the Market Gallery. By 1885 Alexander Dingwall, probably a former pupil, was working in Glasgow

Apart from violins, Murdoch’s output consists of small violas, cellos and double bases. He is described as a self-taught maker and his idiosyncratic style almost caricatures the early Aberdeen school, although the formulaic construction of his instruments suggests some training. This may have been with the earlier Aberdeen maker, Thomas Jamieson, whose working methods and finish compare with Murdoch’s and whose dates overlap. Shared characteristics of their work include the rib construction, narrow mitres ending flush wit the corners, bulbous arching and elongated heads with hollow cheeks and forward-thrust volumes. Murdoch was one of a group of Aberdeenshire makers of the mid to late 19th century, including Bothwell Williams, Thomson, and Watson. That firmly embraced regional traditions, perhaps taking a stand against imported instruments. This notion is supported by William C. Honeyman’s classic report of an acquaintance who called on Murdoch and criticise his work, saying: ‘Man thae sound-holes are no like the sound-holes of Stradivari.’ Maybe no,’ answered Murdoch sharply. ‘buts that’s no hinder me to improve on Stradivari’s.’

He violin of 1879 represents Murdoch’s upmarket handiwork. His lower grade work includes unpurfled instruments, often made with bird’s eye or plain simple backs and covered with grey blue varnish; nevertheless, these instruments are said to produce
a fair tune.


Family History
Partly from Patricks People

Murdoch, Robert
born: about 1775
died: 10 April 1824, Belnaboth, Glenbucket parish, Aberdeenshire,
buried: 1824, Glenbuchat churchyard, Aberdeenshire,
spouse
McKenzie, Jean
Children:
Murdoch, Margaret
Murdoch, John
Murdoch, Robert
Murdoch, Alexander violin maker
Murdoch, James

Robert married Jean McKenzie, daughter of John McKenzie and Jean Thain. (Jean McKenzie was baptised on 8 February 1784 in Glenbucket parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, died on 8 April 1822 in Belnaboth, Glenbucket Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland and was buried in Glenbuchat Churchyard, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.)

"The above-mentioned Robert Murdoch and his wife, Jane McKenzie, had the following children:
Margaret, who married Harry Reid;
John in Belnaboth, who married Christian, daughter of Angus Macbean;
Robert in Craigielea, who married Isabella, daughter of William Brodie;
William, who died young; and
Alexander in Dalfrankie, house carpenter and violin maker, who married Isabella Ingram, and had one son and eight daughters.
William Murdoch, brother of the first-mentioned Robert Murdoch, married Jean Milne, and had, with three daughters, a son. William, who married Jessie McDonald, who, with others had a son, John, who is married to Mary Beattie. Margaret, sister of the first-mentioned Robert Murdoch, married John Glennie, who died at Leochry, Glenkindie, survived by numerous descendants."
From ‘Aberdeenshire Epitaphs’,


Alexander Murdoch
Birth Abt 1815 in Glenbucket, Aberdeenshire
Death26 Nov 1891 in 92 Summer Street, Aberdeen,
Parents
Robert Murdoch1779 – 1824
Jane McKenzie1784 - 1822
Spouse
Isabella Ingram1821 - 1896
Children
Margaret Murdoch1844 - 1887
Isabella Murdoch1846 –
Jean Murdoch1848 –
Mary Murdoch1851 - 1928
Helen Murdoch1853 –
William Murdoch1856 –
Ann Murdoch1858 –
Lydia Murdoch1859 –
Elizabeth Murdoch1862 –


1851 Census

Alexander Murdoch
Age: 36 Estimated Birth Year: 1815
Spouse: Isabella Ingram
Where Born: Glenbucket, Aberdeenshire
Address: Belnaboth
Occupation: Cart & Plough Wright
Household Members: Name Age
Alexander Murdoch 36
Isabella Ingram 28
Margaret Murdoch 6
Isabella Murdoch 4
Jean Murdoch 2
Mary Murdoch 2 Mo

1861 Census

Alexander Murdoch
Age: 45 Estimated Birth Year: 1816
Spouse's Name: Isabella Murdoch
Where Born: Glenbucket, Aberdeenshire
Address: Delfrankie
Occupation: House Carpenter (Master)
Household Members: Name Age
Alexander Murdoch 45
Isabella Murdoch 39
Jean Murdoch 12
May Murdoch 10
Hellen Murdoch 8
William Murdoch 5
Ann Murdoch 3
Lydia Murdoch 1

1871 Census

Name: Alexr Murdoch
Age 56 Estimated Birth Year: 1815
Spouse's Name: Isabella Murdoch
Where Born: Glenbucket, Aberdeens
Town: Aberdeen
County: Aberdeenshire
Address: 8 Minister Lane
Occupation: Fiddle Maker
Household Members: Name Age
Alexr Murdoch 56
Isabella Murdoch 49
Robert Stewart 23
Jane Murdoch 22
Mary Murdoch 20
Helen Murdoch 18

1881 Census

Name: Alexander Murdoch
Age: 65 Estimated Birth Year: 1816
Spouse's Name: Isabella Murdoch
Where Born: Glenbucket, Aberdeenshire
County: Lanarkshire
Address: 23 Blackburn St.
Occupation: Violin Maker, Master
Household Members: Name Age
Alexander Murdoch 65
Isabella Murdoch 60
George Williams 28
Lydia Murdoch 21
William Thom 8

1891 Census

Name: Alexander Murdoch
Age: 74 Estimated Birth Year: 1817
Spouse's Name: Isabella Murdoch
Where Born: (Glenbucket), Aberdeenshire
Address: 52 Summer St Aberdeen
Occupation: Violin Maker
Household Members: Name Age
Alexander Murdoch 74
Isabella Murdoch 69
George Clack 21
William Show 17


1892 Nellfield Cemetery, Aberdeen

Stone B416. 1865. Erected by Alexr. Murdoch house carpenter in memory of his dau. Ann Walker d. 10 Mar. 1865 aged 8, his son William d. 3 May 1867 aged 12. Above Alexander Murdoch d. 2 Nov. 1892 aged 76. Isabella Ingram wife of above Alexander Murdoch.