Glenbuchat Heritage

35 Laurie Walker at Strathdon 2022

,Laurie Walker at Strathdon 2022

In May 2022, Laurie Walker from Connecticut USA made a visit to Strathdon.
Laurie is the Great Granddaughter of Alexander Walker, the Gardner and Fiddler and composer from Newe

Click for the Alexander Walker Album

Pictures above show:
1 Laurie at the grave of Janet Walker
2 Alexander Walker’s cottage at Newe
3 With Johnny Hardie looking at the Walker Manuscript.
4. At Corgarff home of Jane Shaw
5. At the ruins of the Walker Farm in the Cabrach
6. Presentation of Photo of Alexander Walker

Laurie’s grandfather was George Walker, Alexanders’ Son.

Click for the Alexander Walker Family Tree

Despite the rather cold and damp weather for May, Laurie visited the Old Kirk at Glenbuchat and the grave stone at the Strathdon Kirk of Alexander’s 4-year-old daughter Jane who died at Newe in 1866

The pilgrimage then took her to the site of Newe Castle and to view the cottage where Alexander lived, while he was the gardener at Castle Newe. There she was fortunate to meet with Johnny Hardie, who stays at Newe House, the home of the Forbes family after the Castle was demolished in 1927. Johnny is a direct descendant of Sir Charles, Forbes, Alexander Walker’s employer and is also a well-known fiddle player. Laurie was delighted when John invited her into Newe House to see the original edition of the publication of 180 Alexander walker Tunes from 1866

Laurie then visited Corgarff the site of the family home of Jane Shaw, Alexanders wife

Finally, the trip took her through Rhynie, past Tap O’Noth and through the Cabrach Forest to the family farm at New Forest. Initially, it would have been in moorland with a clear view of Tap O’ but now it is hidden in the middle of a dense forest.

Before leaving Laurie was presented with an original framed photograph of her great grandfather Alexander, signed on the back by himself in 1869. He probably had it taken to leave behind with the family of is wife Jane Shaw. Laurie was also presented with the original photos of Alexander in the USA to take back to the family in the USA for safe keeping. These photos were kindly donated to the family by John Pirie of Westhill Aberdeen who has been researching the Shaw family for many years