For half a century John Grant corresponded with individuals who one would find listed in the “Who’s Who” of Scottish and British nobility. From time to time I will post transcriptions or photographs of the more interesting ones.
- 1893-9-28: Letter from Rev. John L. Brown, Dallas Church recommending John Grant for employment.
- 1905-2-13: Letter from John-Stewart Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl, the Marquess of Tullibardine, secretary of the Highland Society of London, confirming the delivery of Grant’s piobaireachd collection to the Society.
- 1905-4-21: Letter from Alexander McKay on behalf of Lord Tullibardine acknowledging examination of Grant’s bagpipe collection by the Highland Society of London.
- 1905-5-8: Letter from James A. Chisholm, Assistant Secretary of the Highland Society of London, officially informing Grant that the members of the Society examined his collection of bagpipe music and were very impressed.
- 1906-7-27: Letter from Sir Dighton Probyn, VC, GCB, GCSI, GCVO, ISO (21 January 1833 – 20 June 1924). Sir Dighton was Keeper of the Privy Purse for Edward VII for his entire reign (1901-10). The letter is to acknowledge the “pibroch” [sic] “Edward VII’s Salute was lasid before the king.
- 1906-8-25: Letter from Charles H. Taylor, secretary to Alexander William George Duff, 1st Duke of Fife, KG, KT, GCVO, VD, PC (10 November 1849 – 29 January 1912). The Duke was married to Princess Louise, the third child and eldest daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The letter thanks Grant for his piobaireachd in The Duke’s honor, and provides advice on how to pass on a placard to Edward VII.
- 1907-1-15: Letter from Major William Stewart of Ensay (31 August 1852 – 26 December 1907), a charter member of the Piobaireachd Society, who was in need of having some tunes written out. A mutual friend of his and Grant’s–noted piper John MacDougall Gilles (20 May 1855 – 17 December 1925)–put Stewart in touch with Grant.
- 1907-1-21: Letter from Major William Stewart thanking Grant for writing out tunes for him (Stewart) and looking forward to seeing Grant’s own compositions.
- 1907-1-26: Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur John Bigge, 1st Baron Stamfordham GCB, GCVO, GCIE, KCSI, KCMG, ISO, PC, (18 June 1849–31 March 1931). Bigge was private secretary to Queen Victoria from 1895 until her death in 1901, then served her grandson, Prince George (later George V), in the same capacity until his own death. This letter thanks John Grant for a copy of “Old Sword’s Lament” he had sent to the Prince of Wales.
- 1907-1-30: Letter from Sir Dighton Probyn acknowledging receipt of Grant’s piobaireachd “Lament for Queen Victoria,” with an admonishment to send no further works.
- 1907-3-15: Letter from Major William Stewart thanking Grant for the copies of piobaireachd he had made for Stewart and suggesting the piobaireachd he wrote in Stewart’s honor be dedicated instead to the Piobaireachd Society.
- 1907-3-28: Letter from Major William Stewart thanking Grant for the piobaireachd he dedicated to him, and for lowering the cost of his services as copyist.
- 1907-6-8: Letter from Grant to Major William Stewart requesting the Piobaireachd Society accept Grant’s piobaireachd “The Piobaireachd Society of Scotland’s Salute.”
- 1907-7-9: Letter from Malcolm Murray, Equerry to Arthur William Patrick Albert KG, KT, KP, GCB, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, VD, TD (1 May 1850 – 16 January 1942), seventh child and third son of Queen Victoria, styled “Duke of Connaught and Strathearn,” thanking Grant for his piobaireachd “The Duke of Connaught’s Salute.”
- 1907-8-25: Letter from Major William Stewart notifying Grant that his “The Piobaireachd Society’s Salute” was accepted by the Piobaireachd Society and that they will purchase eight copies of his The Royal Collection of Piobaireachd.
- 1907:9-5: Letter to Major William Stewart from Grant concerning the contents of The Royal Collection of Piobaireachd, and particulars of his physical statistics and interest in obtaining a new position. Very informative letter.
- 1908-5-11: Letter from Grant to David John (D.J.) Tolmie, Secretary of the Piobaireachd Society from 1907-1913, thanking the Society for supporting his The Royal Collection of Piobaireachd and hoping for more assistance.
- 1909-4-19: Letter from Grant to D.J. Tolmie requesting the official acceptance of his “The Piobaireachd Society’s Salute.”
- 1909-7-6: Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Bigge (see above), thanking Grant for his original piobaireachd, “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales’ Salute.” This is the only referenced composition of Grant’s for which we have no music.
- 1910-9-31: Letter from Grant to D.J. Tolmie announcing Grant’s intention of publishing a 2nd edition of The Royal Collection of Piobaireachd.
- 1934-11-22: Letter from Lord Chamberlain Rowland Baring, 2nd Earl of Cromer, thanking Grant for the Duke of Kent’s Wedding March. (See and hear the tune here.) Cromer was Lord Chamberlain of the Household from 1922-1937.
- 1934-11-23: Letter from Ulick Alexander, Comptroller to H.R.H. the Duke of Kent, informing Grant of the Duke’s acceptance of his wedding march.
- 1937-7-6: Letter from Alan Lascelles. Sir Alan “Tommy” Lascelles was Private Secretary to King George VI and later, Queen Elizabeth II. When George VI and his wife Elizabeth visited Edinburgh in 1937, Grant composed a 4-parted 2/4 march in their honor (see and hear the tune here) and sent them a beautifully-illustrated copy. This letter is to thank him for his gift.
- 1937-8-23: Letter from Alan Lascelles letting Grant know it would not be possible for him to perform before the King at this time.
- 1945-6-21: Letter from Eleanor Roosevelt. On V-E Day John Grant wrote a piobiareachd for President Franklin D. Roosevelt in appreciation for the United States assistance to Europe to end the tyranny of Hitler. Unfortunately, FDR died before he received it but this letter arrived from Eleanor. (Music to follow soon.)
- 1945-5-26: Letter from Michael Adeane. Michael Edward Adeane was Assistant Private Secretary to George VI, and later Queen Elizabeth II. Adeane sent this letter thanking Grant for his “brochure” of Highland bagpipe music entitled “The Battle of Britain.” (Music to follow soon.)
- 1945-12-28: Letter from Lettice Bowlby. Lettice Bowlby was a lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother for many years. She penned this letter to Grant thanking him for a Christmas greeting he had sent to the Queen.
- 1946-6-5: Letter from Alan Lascelles. Grant had sent the King and Queen a collection of bagpipe music, and this letter was sent to thank him for the gift.
- 1947-11-15: Letter from Margaret Egerton. Lady Meg Egerton Colville was a lady-in-waiting to Princess Elizabeth from 1946-49. This letter to Grant thanks him for the wedding gift he sent to Princess Elizabeth. The gift was an illustrated brochure of his original 4-part, 2/4 march entitled “Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth’s Wedding March.” (see and hear the tune here.)