Joe Aitken wins Rotary Elgin "Champion of Champions" Bothy Ballads for a record 7th Time!!

To view this years performences courtesy of Jasperimages click below

                                                                      

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Winner of The Macallan Porridge Bowl and Donald Ferguson Medal

Joe Aitken, Kirriemuir – singing “The Hearst o’ Rettie” a ballad from 1800’s.   This famous bothy ballad tells of the change over from the scythe to the back delivery reaper which took place in a big way in the middle of the 19^th century. 

Joe now holds the record number of wins in the Champion of Champions Competition – seven – he and Hector Riddell (Finzean) shared six wins going into Saturday night’s event.

The Judges (Pete Shepheard and Jimmy Hutchison) said Joe’s rendition was immaculate, sung with great feeling for the story line”.  The standard was exceptional and they could easily have given the award to any one of the 3 prize-winners.

 

2^nd Place – Doug Hay singing “Bogies Bonnie Belle”

 

3^rd Place – Hector Riddell with “The Hash o’ Benagoak”

Elgin Rotary Club President, Margaret Stenton, said   “It’s been another tremendous evening.  We’re delighted at the continuing success of Bothy Ballads, now in its 38^th year.  As a Club, we’re proud we can help to make sure this unique part of the cultural heritage of the north east of Scotland is kept alive in this very entertaining way”

Guest Artistes Charlie McKerron and Marc Clements duo provided fabulous music on fiddle & guitar. Charlie is one of Scotlands best known fiddle players, teachers and composers and Marc is a wonderful guitarist and singer who has player with many of the best bands and musicians around.