0:00:02 > 0:00:04This is essential for a Highland Games.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06OK.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Now.
0:00:08 > 0:00:09Specs off.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16In behind the ears.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17And excuse me.
0:00:19 > 0:00:20HE CHORTLES
0:00:23 > 0:00:27Round the kilt socks, because that's where the midges gather.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31They're not nice people.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34And then my make-up.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35WOMAN LAUGHS
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Now, I'm ready for the fray.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Before every games...
0:00:46 > 0:00:47Have a nice day, Robbie.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Meldrum, here we come!
0:00:58 > 0:00:59I'm ready!
0:01:02 > 0:01:05This man has been on our radios for years.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07It's nice to put a face to the voice.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Hello! How are you? You're fine?
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Are you Robbie Shepherd?
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- Aye, Robbie Shepherd, aye. - Pleased to meet you.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17INDISTINCT CONVERSATION
0:01:18 > 0:01:23Robbie has provided commentary here since 1968.
0:01:23 > 0:01:2645 summers, in rain or shine.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31This is probably tempting fate but it is a sunshine sport.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Yes, the dapper Mr Shepherd now.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Where is the nearest sawmill?
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Oldmeldrum holds a special place for Robbie.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48It was here he made his debut after being spotted,
0:01:48 > 0:01:52or rather heard, commentating at a local stock car race.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55With no hesitation, he threw himself into the task
0:01:55 > 0:01:59and has been the voice of the games ever since.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01What an effort from Elgin!
0:02:02 > 0:02:07His enthusiasm and love of the Highland Games has never waned.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10As the season progresses
0:02:10 > 0:02:13he builds his knowledge of the regular competitors.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Robbie is meticulous with his preparation for each games,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20and he needs to be, as in just three months' time,
0:02:20 > 0:02:24he'll be in the company of royalty at the Braemar Gathering.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27I like to familiarise myself with any newcomer
0:02:27 > 0:02:31and, before I'm ready for Braemar, I know them all.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34And I don't have to be beside, excuse me...
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Gentlemen, that was a good effort there!
0:02:37 > 0:02:40That was young Greg Walker again, Greg Walker.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42By jings, he's having a good day, two firsts
0:02:42 > 0:02:46and he's had a great event, attempt there, on the caber.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Every year, Oldmeldrum Sports
0:02:51 > 0:02:54are formally opened by a guest of honour.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59This year, it falls to ex-Aberdeen and Scotland manager, Craig Brown.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03He's got an infectious enthusiasm, first and foremost.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07You know, you think, without having met him you think you know him,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09and I think that's a wonderful quality.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12There was no airs and graces, he was down to earth,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14he was friendly-sounding,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17and when I did eventually meet him,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20I thought, the guy is just as you would expect.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25When I started on radio, they just heard my voice and they said,
0:03:25 > 0:03:30"Ah, here's one of those athletes from the north-east of Scotland.
0:03:30 > 0:03:37"Six foot seven, red beard, red hair, kilt and raring to go."
0:03:37 > 0:03:40And when they discovered who I was, "Oh, is that the wee drochle?"
0:03:45 > 0:03:49This year, Robbie was asked to undertake other formal games duties,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53but politely declined, preferring to keep his focus on commentating.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56My job is to commentate.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58And they say, "Oh, but it'll help."
0:03:58 > 0:04:02And I say, "Well, I don't care who it helps. I'm not doing it!"
0:04:02 > 0:04:04I've had a long day.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09And I don't want to spoil the day by saying or doing something wrong,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11making the wrong posture and not...
0:04:11 > 0:04:13I hear the pipes a-calling!
0:04:15 > 0:04:17He combines his busy games commitments
0:04:17 > 0:04:21with hosting his popular Scottish dance music programme,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Take The Floor, on BBC Radio Scotland.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28In over 40 years of broadcasting, Robbie Shepherd's name has become
0:04:28 > 0:04:30synonymous with Scottish music and song,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33along with his mother tongue, the Doric.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36It was through his love of music that he met his wife, Esma,
0:04:36 > 0:04:41both members of folk group the Garlogie Four, so named
0:04:41 > 0:04:45as they regularly met in the Garlogie Inn near Aberdeen in the late '50s.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Robbie played the moothie and Esma played piano.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Well, he claims to be the second moothie player.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Ronnie Massie was the first moothie player.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59Robbie played second, as he says, because he only played every second note.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Which is nearly true!
0:05:03 > 0:05:04He was OK.
0:05:04 > 0:05:11I don't see anything up here, memorabilia of my mouth organ.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15No, no, but he sang lots, and he was very popular.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18But you can't put my voice up there, you could've put my moothie!
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Robbie and Esma married in 1961.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26They moved to Bridge of Don, where son Gordon came into their lives.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Gordon now lives in London,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32which means the Shepherds can play their music as loud as they want.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34One of Robbie's favourite tracks is
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Shetland air, Margaret Ann Robertson,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39played by the legendary Ian Powrie.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Recorded in 1967.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58The way he attacks it, the way he drives into it.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Och, it just lifts it up.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- Been played a lot, that one.- Eh?
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- Been played a lot, that one. - It certainly has!
0:06:27 > 0:06:32Take The Floor is the longest- running programme on Scottish Radio,
0:06:32 > 0:06:37dating back to the '30s, when it was called Scottish Dance Music.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Right, Jennifer.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Robbie's been presenter since 1981
0:06:41 > 0:06:46and today he's in BBC Aberdeen with his producer, Jennifer Cruickshank,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48to plan content for this week's show.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Take The Floor runs 52 weeks a year.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Every week we feature a band,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56and three or four of them in the month are studio-based sessions
0:06:56 > 0:06:59where the band come into the studio and record a session for us,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02and once a month, we take the programme on the road and we visit
0:07:02 > 0:07:05places from right in the north of Scotland, right down to the Borders.
0:07:08 > 0:07:09Coming up, then.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19Ha-ha, hello there!
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Robbie Shepherd bidding you welcome once again
0:07:22 > 0:07:24to Take The Floor with us here on BBC Radio Scotland.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26His voice is so distinct,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29which is a huge selling point for Take The Floor.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31How many situations have I been in with Robbie
0:07:31 > 0:07:36that someone's comes up and said, "You're the man that does the Scottish dance music programme!"
0:07:36 > 0:07:39His voice is instantly known.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40He is very meticulous.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42He never goes to the studio without being prepared.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45He's always got a script, he's always got a running order
0:07:45 > 0:07:47and he's got a great awareness of time.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51I've known him for many years,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54because I worked for the BBC in Aberdeen in the '70s
0:07:54 > 0:07:59early '70s, when he first started broadcasting in local radio.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02There's quite a good story about that, actually.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Arthur Argo was producing his local radio programme
0:08:04 > 0:08:07and Robbie, of course, had never broadcast before.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10On his very first programme, he had it all scripted,
0:08:10 > 0:08:11everything written down
0:08:11 > 0:08:15and, of course, they had to opt back into the main channel, main network.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17I can't remember if it was even Radio Scotland back then,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20must've been even the Home Service. I can't remember now.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21But Robbie had it all scripted
0:08:21 > 0:08:23and he had to come out at a certain time,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26but Robbie had his eyes down on the script
0:08:26 > 0:08:28and at two minutes past two,
0:08:28 > 0:08:35Arthur comes in and goes, "What you haverin' aboot, laddie?", he says. "We're aff the air!"
0:08:35 > 0:08:39Robbie was born in 1936 and raised in Dunecht.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42The middle child of three, his childhood was happy.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45His father was the estate's cobbler, or souter,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47and his mother played piano.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51But it was his father's monthly visits to Aberdeen to buy
0:08:51 > 0:08:56the latest 78s from Jimmy Shand, Kenneth McKellar and Adam Rennie
0:08:56 > 0:09:00that fuelled the young Robbie's enthusiasm and love of music.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05His love of music remains, but other things have changed.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Ah, that's new, that's different, really.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Wisnae there.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12That there, it is...
0:09:14 > 0:09:16..the bathroom and the kitchen.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20It's that kitchen window I'm sure that I was looking out at
0:09:20 > 0:09:24and listening to the sound of Jim Cameron...
0:09:26 > 0:09:30..from the window of the hall. A fine summer's night, it'd be open,
0:09:30 > 0:09:34and there is the music wafting out,
0:09:34 > 0:09:39and, me, a young lad, about 10-12 years old.
0:09:39 > 0:09:40Yeah.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Majestic.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Village Hall.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52My jings. Proud of this place.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54All the panelling and what have you.
0:10:05 > 0:10:11Ah. Ha-ha! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Dunecht Hall!
0:10:11 > 0:10:12ACCORDION FLOURISH
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Showing academic promise, Robbie was encouraged to apply
0:10:18 > 0:10:21for a scholarship to Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25with a bursary provided by local Aberdeenshire farmers.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30Despite initial reservations, he sat the entrance exams.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33I passed and went into Robert Gordon's College,
0:10:33 > 0:10:40which was fine, but after a month there, I was reading something.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Geography or History. Shows my knowledge now!
0:10:43 > 0:10:46But the teacher asked me,
0:10:46 > 0:10:51asked each of the pupils to read out a wee bit of a book
0:10:51 > 0:10:55on roads, buildings and railways in South Africa.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56So, it come to me.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59And I say, "Cee-cil Rhodes".
0:10:59 > 0:11:05And the teacher tapped his desk and said "CEH-CIL, my dear boy!"
0:11:05 > 0:11:09And I said, I couldn't speak to him, but I thought to myself,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12the butcher next door to my dad at Dunecht was called Cecil
0:11:12 > 0:11:15and why the hell your name should change
0:11:15 > 0:11:17from Dunecht to Aberdeen, I don't know!
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I sensed that that gave me the first,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23I'd say chip on my shoulder.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25It's long since gone, cos I couldn't care now.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28INDISTINCT CONVERSATION
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Robbie and Esma are both keen gardeners.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Their speciality is growing sweet peas.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41It's a hobby once again influenced by Robbie's father.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45My dad was a very keen amateur gardener.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49And he used to show at the big one in Aberdeen,
0:11:49 > 0:11:53the Aberdeen show, and I took it off him.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56That's why I'm so fussy in the garden, and Esma says,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00"Och, I cannae rake, but you're too fussy with your raking!"
0:12:00 > 0:12:04And I say, "Well, my dad taught me."
0:12:04 > 0:12:09Esma has developed a novel way of protecting the young shoots from garden pests.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13They're really very reflective in the sun.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15All the different colours are reflected
0:12:15 > 0:12:19And we think, we read that it scares the birds,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21and the doos,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25doves, had been eating the leaves.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28And you took that black marker pen
0:12:28 > 0:12:31and just in case it spoiled my reputation
0:12:31 > 0:12:33as which discs I played on radio,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- you've scored out all the names! - I know!
0:12:36 > 0:12:40This one says black, black, black, "Black Rose Ceilidh Band".
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Oh, cannae be the Black Rose Ceilidh Band! Oh, no, it cannae, no!
0:12:56 > 0:13:01Broadcasting, to me, is all to do with preparation.
0:13:02 > 0:13:03I spend...
0:13:03 > 0:13:08Folk say to me, "Hi, Robbie, you only do a weekend programme.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10"Do you just go in on the Saturday?"
0:13:10 > 0:13:11I say, "I'm there every day!"
0:13:11 > 0:13:16You know the wide spectrum that I cover. I cover the song,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19I cover music hall, Scottish dance music, the soul of it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24If you are prepared and then walk into that studio,
0:13:24 > 0:13:28well, you've got to spout it - spout what you've prepared.
0:13:28 > 0:13:29That's it!
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Robbie has attended the Keith Festival,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39held every June for the last 35 years.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43The three-day event celebrates artists from the North-East
0:13:43 > 0:13:46alongside invited musicians from further afield.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49He regularly comperes at concerts and ceilidhs
0:13:49 > 0:13:53but this evening, he's just going along to enjoy the music.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01How you doing there?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03What a man you are!
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Well, I hope I'm a man, ha-ha!
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- So, I'm told, then! - ROBBIE CHUCKLES
0:14:11 > 0:14:13# Oh, oh, the rattling bog
0:14:13 > 0:14:15# Rattling in the valley, oh
0:14:15 > 0:14:17# There goes the rattling bog
0:14:17 > 0:14:20# The bog down in the valley, oh! #
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Encouraging the next generation to keep up the music
0:14:23 > 0:14:26is an important aspect of the festival.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32# The bog doon in the valley, oh! #
0:14:32 > 0:14:34APPLAUSE
0:14:43 > 0:14:47# Busk, busk, bonnie lassie
0:14:47 > 0:14:53# And come awa' wi' me
0:14:53 > 0:15:00# And I'll tak ye tae Glen Isla
0:15:00 > 0:15:06# Near bonnie Glenshee. #
0:15:12 > 0:15:13After you.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19Robbie met up with his old friend Lona Thompson, who co-founded
0:15:19 > 0:15:24the festival back in 1975, along with the late singer Jim Reid.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26It's flourished and become a mainstay
0:15:26 > 0:15:29in the Aberdeenshire folk festival circuit.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31It's a real community event
0:15:31 > 0:15:34with many of the local pubs buzzing with music and chat.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43For Robbie, an important aspect of his trips to Keith
0:15:43 > 0:15:45was dropping in to local care homes.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Lona reminds Robbie of one such visit.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Now, Robbie, I must tell you this.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57One year, and it was in Weston House,
0:15:57 > 0:16:01and there was this really old lady
0:16:02 > 0:16:05and she really didn't speak.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Oh, I've been thinking about it.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12You went down on your knees beside her.
0:16:12 > 0:16:13And you were singing.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17And suddenly...
0:16:17 > 0:16:21I said to one of the committee,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23- I can't remember - said, "She's singing!"
0:16:25 > 0:16:28She was singing. She sung the whole song
0:16:28 > 0:16:34and she'd hardly spoken a word for... Oh, years!
0:16:34 > 0:16:35The enjoyment I got...
0:16:35 > 0:16:38As I said that night, that was my Robbie,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- that's just what it did for her. - Aye, enjoyment...
0:16:41 > 0:16:46She actually sang, and there wasn't one person that wasn't...
0:16:46 > 0:16:51Aye. It took her back, just for that moment, back to her youth.
0:16:51 > 0:16:52That's what it's a' aboot!
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Robbie has come along to enjoy the dance
0:17:14 > 0:17:18and the sounds of The Graeme Mitchell Scottish Dance Band,
0:17:18 > 0:17:22who he first heard as young lad in Keith many years ago,
0:17:22 > 0:17:27and as he did to so many others, Robbie provided great encouragement.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36Supposing I had been somebody at a concert, singing.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40The same encouragement would've been given because you were young
0:17:40 > 0:17:42and you were doing that sort of thing.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45The encouragement was always there, always there.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54After leaving school and completing his National Service,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Robbie embarked on a career in accountancy.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01However, in his early 20s, he started to compere
0:18:01 > 0:18:05and eventually produce variety shows in Aberdeen, with such luminaries
0:18:05 > 0:18:10as Callum Kennedy, Andy Stewart and many other stars of the time.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15Throughout the '60s and '70s, he juggled the day job
0:18:15 > 0:18:17with theatre shows and the games circuit
0:18:17 > 0:18:22and also presented music and request shows on BBC Aberdeen.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24It was this that led him to the attention
0:18:24 > 0:18:27of the BBC's Scottish Dance Music Programme.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31He was offered a small part in the show.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34How about you come in and do feature in the middle of what was
0:18:34 > 0:18:38effectively Take The Floor. Then, it wasn't called Take The Floor.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43Scottish Dance Music. David Findlay was the presenter.
0:18:43 > 0:18:49And I came in, and did maybe a memory on an old-time band,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52maybe something to do with accordion fiddle clubs,
0:18:52 > 0:18:54I had a feature every week.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Lord McConnell...
0:18:57 > 0:19:01When presenter David Findlay was tragically killed in 1981,
0:19:01 > 0:19:06the producers tried out a number of band leaders as presenters, but
0:19:06 > 0:19:11it was Robbie they asked to present the programme on a permanent basis.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14I was no competition to any of the musicians,
0:19:14 > 0:19:19because there was no hope of me leading a band on the programme
0:19:19 > 0:19:21but I was enthusiastic on it,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23and they let me try it.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28And there you are. 1981. And here I am still today.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30They haven't found me out yet!
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Take The Floor finds itself on its monthly trip around the country.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Robbie and the team are in St Andrew's in the Square -
0:19:38 > 0:19:42one of Glasgow's most popular dancing venues.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Robbie has a surprise visitor.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57An old friend and retired producer, Ben Lyons,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59has popped in to see him before the show.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- Hello, young man!- Hello, Dad!
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Hey, Ben! Great to see you!
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Robbie, it's my delight, I'm so pleased to see you.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10It's been a long time.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- It has indeed, since we worked together.- Yes, it is.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19Here, have a seat. I'm just preparing here. Are you coming tonight?
0:20:19 > 0:20:20Yes, please!
0:20:20 > 0:20:23'He really goes for it hammer and tongs'
0:20:23 > 0:20:26and I think that, were he not doing that,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29it could be the demise of Scottish Dance Music
0:20:29 > 0:20:32because there isn't another outlet.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34St Andrew's in the Square in Glasgow, hello there.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Robbie Shepherd bidding you welcome.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42This week's band is Iain Muir and his Scottish Dance Band,
0:20:42 > 0:20:45who first played on Take The Floor back in 1982.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Good afternoon, all!
0:20:49 > 0:20:50Good afternoon, Robbie!
0:20:50 > 0:20:52You're a' fine?
0:20:52 > 0:20:56'He always puts you at ease, he always has a blether. It's lovely.'
0:20:56 > 0:21:00And he's never changed. Never changed in these years.
0:21:00 > 0:21:05And he's still got that energy and just, love for the music,
0:21:05 > 0:21:09and that transfers to the bands that are playing,
0:21:09 > 0:21:12the guest artists, and, obviously, the audience as well.
0:21:12 > 0:21:18It's nearly showtime, and Robbie has adorned his trademark tartan jacket.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Have you spoken to Mr Lyon?
0:21:20 > 0:21:22I have indeed, I was just having a news with him down the stairs.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23What you doing?
0:21:23 > 0:21:31I always think it's important to dress so that you are in command,
0:21:31 > 0:21:36that you are on stage, in front of your audience.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Whether it be dancers, or whether it just be a listening crowd.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41I think that is important.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44So, I'll just check to see if everything's ready.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46As well as his weel-kent jacket,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50there's something else that's very familiar to the thousands of listeners -
0:21:50 > 0:21:53the theme tune that kicks off every show.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19It's a traditional reel and it's been going for years.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23In fact, I do remember at a point, I would've been in my teens,
0:22:23 > 0:22:27that the producer of the time changed the signature tune
0:22:27 > 0:22:29to, I think it was called The De'il Among The Tailors,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and there was an absolute uproar.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36People got petitions going round accordion fiddle clubs
0:22:36 > 0:22:39and I remember signing it, when I was so young,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41to take back Kate Dalrymple.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44And, each week, it's the band that's in session that records it.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46It's not one particular person that plays it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48It's the band that's in session.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51So, every band out there plays Kate Dalrymple, I can assure you.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10To hear Robbie's Doric tongue on the radio was refreshing,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13in a time of more clipped and refined accents.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17There were, however, a few complaints when he first came on air.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Sadly, we now come to the second-last dance on the programme,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25so, let me remind you of the band sharing the stage with me
0:23:25 > 0:23:27here at St Andrew's in The Square...
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Probably had difficulty in getting over the North-East accent,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32some of the words I was using, I don't know.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34I don't think it was the words.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37It was maybe my delivery at that time, you know?
0:23:37 > 0:23:41There was one crit in a paper to do with accordion and fiddle music
0:23:41 > 0:23:47that just blasted, that there's no way that my voice should be heard
0:23:47 > 0:23:49on a great programme like this.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52So, I've outlived that, and I couldnae care now!
0:24:34 > 0:24:38# Fen I was only ten year old I left the parish squeel... #
0:24:40 > 0:24:44An important tradition barer of his native bothy ballad culture,
0:24:44 > 0:24:45he released an album,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49The Best of the Cornkisters, in the late '70s.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52The songs, sometimes melancholy, often humorous
0:24:52 > 0:24:56reflected the life of farm workers across Scotland.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59# ..She five and forty, and I'm but seventeen
0:24:59 > 0:25:04# She clocks a muckle piece tae me with every kinds of jam
0:25:04 > 0:25:08# And she tells me ilkie nicht that she admires me Nicky Tams
0:25:09 > 0:25:14# I started oot fae Sunday, the kirkie for tae gang
0:25:14 > 0:25:17# My collar it was unco ticht, my breeks were nane ower lang
0:25:17 > 0:25:21# I had ma Bible in ma pooch, likewise my book o' Psalms
0:25:21 > 0:25:24# Fen Annie roart, "Ye muckle gype! Tak aff yer Nicky Tams!"... #
0:25:28 > 0:25:33Robbie has called in on old pal and bothy ballad singer Joe Aitken,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36who is in Tarland for a concert.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40# It was inside of Huntly toon
0:25:40 > 0:25:43# 'Twas there I did agree
0:25:43 > 0:25:48# Wi' auld Bogieside, the fairmer,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51# A sachsmans for to see
0:25:51 > 0:25:56# Auld Bogie was a silly cow
0:25:56 > 0:25:59# And this I knew fu' well
0:25:59 > 0:26:04# But he had a lovely daughter
0:26:04 > 0:26:09# And her name was Isabel. #
0:26:09 > 0:26:12My father was on the land all his days.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16He started on the farms when he was 14.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19That's where I got a puckle of the bothies, ken, like
0:26:19 > 0:26:22The Dying Ploughboy, and Nicky Tams
0:26:22 > 0:26:26and songs like that, ballads like that.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31Eh, as I say, he, maybe after he had a dram or twa at the New Year
0:26:31 > 0:26:33you would get him to sing in the hoose,
0:26:33 > 0:26:37although there was a puckle folk there, like,
0:26:37 > 0:26:41but you would never have got him up on a stage,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43like what I do the nicht, like, ken?
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Robbie's heading to the local hall
0:26:47 > 0:26:49for a night of music and song
0:26:49 > 0:26:53where the Doric language will be very much to the fore.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Robbie has brought the Doric to the national airways
0:26:56 > 0:27:01and his influence on its preservation cannot be understated.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03The whole of our culture in the North-East of Scotland
0:27:03 > 0:27:07and everything that goes with it has been promoted along
0:27:07 > 0:27:11for the last 40, 50 years, for what Robbie Shepherd has done for it,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13and, really, we owe so much to him for that.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17He has co-written two books on Doric humour,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20has a weekly Doric column in the Press and Journal
0:27:20 > 0:27:24and his expertise in his mother tongue resulted in him being awarded
0:27:24 > 0:27:29a Masters from Aberdeen University for services to Scottish culture.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31Yes, indeed.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33We got here eventually!
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- Where are you sitting down?- We're sitting down there. What are you?
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Take that bottle with you and give them dram from me
0:27:39 > 0:27:40and tak a drop, please.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Robbie knows the importance of nights like this
0:27:43 > 0:27:46in preserving the local language and culture.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49A language like the Doric has been watered down over the years,
0:27:49 > 0:27:52so every effort needs to be put in there to keep it alive,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56and Robbie has been a key factor to keeping it alive.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18An accent like mine's probably quite difficult to shift
0:28:18 > 0:28:20but, I think, you're better to be yourself
0:28:20 > 0:28:22because you could try and lose it
0:28:22 > 0:28:26for the sake o' trying to get on in the world
0:28:26 > 0:28:28which, I think folk from the North-East
0:28:28 > 0:28:31have been very guilty o', themselves.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35- You looking at me? - Yeah, yeah, I'm looking at you!
0:28:35 > 0:28:40Speaking properly is perceived as a way of getting on
0:28:40 > 0:28:42and if you speak in your native tongue,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45that it's kind of a bit too rustic and parochial,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48and provincial, and that you're nae getting away from the shams
0:28:48 > 0:28:52and dubs of the fairm close, so for me, that's nae been an issue.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55I think that it's an important part o'...
0:28:55 > 0:28:57You've never felt it an issue?
0:28:57 > 0:29:00Absolutely nae. Personally, it's never been a problem
0:29:00 > 0:29:04but, I think, folk see you through you if you're being fake.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Three cheers again, Aberwell,
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Will, Norman, Alec and the Dominie,
0:29:08 > 0:29:11please, take the floor!
0:29:11 > 0:29:12CHEERING
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Comedy performers Scotland The What?
0:29:15 > 0:29:19took the Doric language to a much wider audience.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21# The midnight bells have rung
0:29:21 > 0:29:24# And New Year dawns another east
0:29:24 > 0:29:27# And hope it springs eternal... #
0:29:27 > 0:29:30On one occasion, Robbie appeared, not only as compere,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33but in a different role.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36And I did a programme for Grampian TV
0:29:36 > 0:29:38and I got starring role.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40I was an actor.
0:29:40 > 0:29:41What's this queue for?
0:29:41 > 0:29:42For drink, eh?
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Quite right, too.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46- You want to get in, you got a bottle on ye?- Naw!
0:29:46 > 0:29:49HE SPEAKS DORIC
0:29:49 > 0:29:52If you havnae got a bottle, you're no' getting in!
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Why they never followed me up, I don't know at all!
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Ah, get your pass oot, lads!
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Oh, if you're coming back in, you'll need your pass oot.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04# Oh, faloora-li-do... #
0:30:04 > 0:30:08Back at the concert, Joe Aitken, Geordie Murison
0:30:08 > 0:30:11and Jim Taylor are in full swing.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14# I'm happy as a lark, fae dawn tae dark,
0:30:14 > 0:30:16# Singin' a' the day
0:30:16 > 0:30:19# Oh, lotta faloora-li-do
0:30:19 > 0:30:23# Toora-loora-lay! #
0:30:31 > 0:30:32# Twelve and a tanner a bottle
0:30:32 > 0:30:34# At a pound I'm sellin' tae you...
0:30:35 > 0:30:38# Twelve and a tanner a bottle... #
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Come on in.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43# Man, it taks a' your pleasure away
0:30:43 > 0:30:46# And afore ye can get a wee drappie
0:30:46 > 0:30:51# Ye have to spend alL that you've got
0:30:51 > 0:30:55# Oh, how can a fella be happy
0:30:55 > 0:31:02# When happiness costs such a lot? #
0:31:02 > 0:31:03THEY LAUGH
0:31:06 > 0:31:10It's the fourth Saturday in August and it's the Lonach gathering.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13I look like a laird here!
0:31:13 > 0:31:14ROBBIE LAUGHS
0:31:15 > 0:31:19The event features the unique march of the Lonach Highlanders,
0:31:19 > 0:31:23and Robbie took part in the annual tradition for many years.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27Once you hear a pipe band striking up and you see them striking up,
0:31:27 > 0:31:32it still gives me the same, straight back and, aw, it's great.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34This is my day, my busman's holiday.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39On the field, Robert Lovie is in charge of proceedings.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59The march ensures the men are ready for the long day
0:31:59 > 0:32:04and they're in good spirits for their entry onto the games field.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Aided by several stops, for a spot of Highland refreshment.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21The Lonach Highland and Friendly Society was founded in 1823,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24and today, the society continues to fulfil
0:32:24 > 0:32:29its original mission of preserving Highland Dress, the Gaelic tongue
0:32:29 > 0:32:33and supporting loyal, peaceful and manly conduct.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45In the last few years, Robert Lovie has shown himself
0:32:45 > 0:32:47to be a very capable commentator,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50and is more than ready to pick up the mantle.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53Robbie feels confident for the future.
0:32:54 > 0:32:59Robert is excellent, a safe pair of hands, and I've tried to be the same.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Oh, no. I've no fears at all.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06My time will probably come very shortly, I don't know.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08But Robert is the man, he's excellent.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11We get on great together.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15We often do dual commentaries, as we will be at Braemar
0:33:15 > 0:33:19but, as a young lad, he'll do all the running about
0:33:19 > 0:33:21and I'll just sit there like Lord Muck!
0:33:21 > 0:33:22HE LAUGHS
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Robbie has long had an association
0:33:40 > 0:33:43with the music of the Shetland Isles.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45The late, great fiddler, Willie Hunter,
0:33:45 > 0:33:48is one of his all-time favourites.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51He was a true master of the slow air.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59Now, I'm supposed to be an expert at this, Esma. It's my job, you see.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03Just forward one, just want to go to track two. There it is.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07Och, away! Thank you very much for that.
0:34:07 > 0:34:08Yeah, Leaving Lerwick.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13I can do all this now, you can do the playing.
0:34:28 > 0:34:29Powerful playing.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52To think Willie recorded that
0:34:52 > 0:34:54just a matter of weeks before he died.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57He was determined to do this session with Violet.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Willie Hunter and Violet Tulloch.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04Every time I listen to it I think of Willie - really lovely.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15It's been a good summer so far.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21They've been very successful.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Yeah, but you'd better boast
0:35:23 > 0:35:27about your entry. SHE TUTS
0:35:27 > 0:35:31I opened the 80th anniversary flower show at Echt
0:35:31 > 0:35:34a fortnight ago
0:35:34 > 0:35:36and I used to show there a lot.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40My dad showed there before me, and Esma said "Why don't we put in
0:35:40 > 0:35:44"an entry for old time's sake, just to show we still have the interest?"
0:35:44 > 0:35:46I said, "Well, it's got to be in your name,"
0:35:46 > 0:35:49because this year, I must admit, you've done all the work.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52- Mmm-hmm.- So - da-da-da-da-daa..!
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Two prizes!
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Got a third for three vases,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00that's three separate varieties,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03and a first for a mixed bunch.
0:36:03 > 0:36:07Which was a bonny blend of red and white, wasn't it?
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Aye.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Now, to another notable garden in Aberdeenshire,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17as Robbie drops in his old friend, Jim McColl,
0:36:17 > 0:36:22who has been involved with Beechgrove Garden since 1978.
0:36:22 > 0:36:23Ever the gardener,
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Robbie's attention is drawn to the sweet peas.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Checking out the competition.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31- They'll last a year or two if you look after them.- They do well.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33But we're no' here to talk about gardening.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Aye, when did we first meet?
0:36:35 > 0:36:37I've got it about '74, '75
0:36:37 > 0:36:40when I first started going about the BBC,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43but I've often thought we were dained to be pals
0:36:43 > 0:36:45because your first love, shall we say -
0:36:45 > 0:36:47you spend a lot of time in Scottish music
0:36:47 > 0:36:50and in your pastime, it's gardening.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54My job is gardening
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and my pastime is music,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58Scottish music in particular.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05When we first met through television, it was the Beechgrove,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08and George Barron was as broad as you like.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Indeed. Another early influence on me,
0:37:11 > 0:37:12as far as the Doric was concerned,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15and we had a whale of time, didn't we, in the Barron days?
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Because we were let out now and again
0:37:17 > 0:37:20to go in a community garden somewhere.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32You're away.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34- Best of luck, lad.- Cheerio!- Cheers!
0:37:38 > 0:37:41That's him off to have a look at a typical garden
0:37:41 > 0:37:42in this part of the world.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45I don't know if he's going to pop in and see Cameron of Locheil or not,
0:37:45 > 0:37:48but you never know what he'll get up to once he's on that bike.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51The style of it was that he would look at one garden,
0:37:51 > 0:37:52I would look at another garden,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55then we'd meet up for a question session in the hall,
0:37:55 > 0:37:57and who was the master of ceremonies?
0:37:57 > 0:37:58- Yes.- Mr Shepherd.
0:37:58 > 0:37:59APPLAUSE
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Hello, and welcome to the first
0:38:01 > 0:38:03of this season's Beechgrove Gardeners' Roadshows.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07We're here in the Memorial Hall at Ardgour, North Corran,
0:38:07 > 0:38:09and I think it's probably the smallest hall
0:38:09 > 0:38:11that we've been in with the Roadshows,
0:38:11 > 0:38:13but nice and comfy. It's full up here.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15There may be a lot of gardening problems,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17but certainly none with the decor tonight.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Beautiful layout in the wee hall.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22'We did three or four in a season each year,'
0:38:22 > 0:38:24and we had some great times, great places,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27and, of course, wherever we went, as soon as he started to speak,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30they knew who he was from his radio.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32It's all complementary, isn't it?
0:38:32 > 0:38:36It all works and it hangs together so beautifully.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38And we come to our first question tonight
0:38:38 > 0:38:39and it's from a young girl of 12.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Would you mind standing up and just letting the panel know your query?
0:38:43 > 0:38:44Your name, for a start.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46- Lorna Baldwin. - And, what's your query?
0:38:46 > 0:38:47Well, I've got an Easter cactus,
0:38:47 > 0:38:51and I'm wondering why it's flowering now and not at Easter.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53An Easter cactus flowering now and not at Easter...
0:39:01 > 0:39:06Robbie is making his way to the West Coast for a surprise visit
0:39:06 > 0:39:07on a long-time musical friend.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13TRADITIONAL MUSIC
0:39:26 > 0:39:31The first time I met Fergie, he was on a tour of our area.
0:39:31 > 0:39:37I compered the concerts and I must have been in my 20s.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Is there anyone at home?
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Is there anyone at home?
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Hello! Hello!
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- Is there anyone at.. Hi, Maureen!- Hello! How are you?
0:39:58 > 0:40:01- Fine, how's yourself?- Grand, yes. - Fine to see you.
0:40:01 > 0:40:02- It's nice to see you.- Aye.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04What a day to come and visit.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08- Oh!- Ah, ken.- There's a man here.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Impromptu visit.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11How are you, sir?
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- Well!- How are you, Fergie?
0:40:14 > 0:40:15I can't believe it!
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Robbie, what an Earth are you doing in this part of the world?
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Especially in this weather.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27Wait till I get up and say hello to you.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29- I can't believe it. - Aye, but I'm here.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31What an Earth are you doing here?
0:40:31 > 0:40:35Well, we had a wee moment to spare
0:40:35 > 0:40:39and I says, I must go and see you.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42This is my version of your Beechgrove Garden.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Fergie's Beechgrove!
0:40:45 > 0:40:48I think that cabbage is as good as McColl's any time, eh?
0:40:48 > 0:40:53'He's a history-maker. He'll go down in history'
0:40:53 > 0:40:57for decades, yes,
0:40:57 > 0:40:58maybe centuries.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01He's a unique character.
0:41:01 > 0:41:02Totally unique.
0:41:04 > 0:41:05Where's Robbie there, can you see him?
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Yes.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Where was that taken, Robbie?
0:41:09 > 0:41:11- Oh, my God.- What's it say on there?
0:41:13 > 0:41:16In his own Scottish dance music sphere,
0:41:16 > 0:41:19you are looking at his command
0:41:19 > 0:41:24in Border music, East Coast music, as we say, West Coast,
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Orcadian, Shetland.
0:41:27 > 0:41:33He's got a broad, broad spectrum of the whole scene.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Here, look. Look, Kintore.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41- What's that?- Kintore Public Hall. The one we're speaking about.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45- Never!- Look, concert and dance, 1964. There we are!- '64...
0:41:45 > 0:41:47You should read your own bills.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49I can't believe that!
0:41:49 > 0:41:51- 60 years.- Aye, yes.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Can't believe that, Robbie.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57You can't believe that's happening.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- My goodness me.- 50 years.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- 50, you said.- Take a ten off.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08On a particularly wet West Coast day,
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Robbie arrives in Mallaig,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12A place he often visited in his days
0:42:12 > 0:42:15as an accountant in the fish industry.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17He catches up with Jimmy and Jessie Hepburn
0:42:17 > 0:42:20to reflect on those early days.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22It'd be the '50s.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24When did you two meet?
0:42:24 > 0:42:26Because you're an East Coaster and you're a West Coaster.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Therein lies a tale, because here we met.
0:42:30 > 0:42:31Not to be told truthfully.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36I was west, and they say, "East is east, west is west."
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Neither shall the twain meet, but we did,
0:42:40 > 0:42:42for good or for bad, I'm not sure.
0:42:42 > 0:42:47My specific job was managing the Walkers' office...
0:42:48 > 0:42:53..but quite frankly, I wasn't an awful good figure man
0:42:53 > 0:42:57but I preferred to be auctioning on the pier and that.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00Now, you're asking me, my friend, the questions.
0:43:00 > 0:43:01What was your job?
0:43:01 > 0:43:07Well, I was Francis Clark's accountant and, as such,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10he put me in charge of the sale offices
0:43:10 > 0:43:12and it's the best job he could have given me,
0:43:12 > 0:43:15because I able to go round all the different offices.
0:43:15 > 0:43:20East, as you know, down by you, George McKay at Lochember,
0:43:20 > 0:43:24Sandy Duffy at Ullapool, and then, to you at Mallaig.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27As soon as I heard your voice the first time I came across,
0:43:27 > 0:43:29I says, "This is my type of mannie."
0:43:31 > 0:43:32"I'll get on fine with him."
0:43:34 > 0:43:37SHE SINGS
0:44:06 > 0:44:09- And that's after eating! - You've still got it!
0:44:11 > 0:44:12The Gaelic to the Doric.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15# In me they see a funny lookin' chap
0:44:15 > 0:44:17# Some folks think I dinna care a rap
0:44:17 > 0:44:20# Some folks think they're awfa clever
0:44:20 > 0:44:23# But they're mair need o' their mither
0:44:23 > 0:44:25# A' day a chap came up to me and said
0:44:25 > 0:44:27# Man, you've a fine rid heid
0:44:30 > 0:44:33# I says, "Hey, you've muckle hair yersel'
0:44:33 > 0:44:35# "Would you like some of mine for shade?"
0:44:35 > 0:44:38# I'm nae sae green as I may seem
0:44:38 > 0:44:40# Dae ye think I'm saft as candy? #
0:44:40 > 0:44:43I'm nae singing any mair, I'm oot a' pech.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46There's the Gaelic and the Doric side by side.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48Thank you, Robbie Shepherd!
0:44:48 > 0:44:50APPLAUSE
0:44:52 > 0:44:57Robbie's another old haunt - The Glenfinnan House Hotel,
0:44:57 > 0:45:01a regular stop-off point in the old days on his way back to Aberdeen.
0:45:01 > 0:45:06It's a fine evening of West Coast music and song.
0:45:06 > 0:45:09Listening to Robbie on the radio
0:45:09 > 0:45:11is like sitting next to a lovely warm fire
0:45:11 > 0:45:16full of peats and a nice dram beside you.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18It's that kind of voice he's got,
0:45:18 > 0:45:21I think everyone in the nation warms to that voice.
0:45:23 > 0:45:26Old Hector's side was winning
0:45:26 > 0:45:27The fact was plain to see
0:45:27 > 0:45:31This night is the beginning of victory at sea.
0:45:31 > 0:45:35It's Charlie MacFarlane's turn to take the floor
0:45:35 > 0:45:39and entertain the room with his own inimitable Highland blas.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42..for Churchill, his name I proudly call
0:45:42 > 0:45:46But the burgh politician is the grandest of them all.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48LAUGHTER
0:45:56 > 0:46:04WOMAN SINGS: "Soraidh Leis An Ait'"
0:46:05 > 0:46:08In the 2001 New Year's honours list,
0:46:08 > 0:46:10Robbie was appointed MBE
0:46:10 > 0:46:15for his services to Scottish music and culture.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18Greatly deserved because these people saw that what Robbie had
0:46:18 > 0:46:22been giving his whole life needed to be recognised.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24Today is a very important day for Robbie and Esma
0:46:24 > 0:46:28as they attend the annual prize-giving ceremony
0:46:28 > 0:46:32at the charity he supports - Easter Anguston Farm.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34Hey, Leslie, look who's here to see you!
0:46:36 > 0:46:38Hello, my laddie!
0:46:41 > 0:46:42- How are you doing?- Fine.
0:46:42 > 0:46:47Today is about the achievements of our service users throughout the year.
0:46:47 > 0:46:49They are all in different groups.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51So, each year they learn new skills,
0:46:51 > 0:46:55so today is the day they get their certificates for that.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58Robbie is such an integral part of that, frankly, most of the guys
0:46:58 > 0:47:01would want their certificates in the post if he wasn't coming,
0:47:01 > 0:47:05because they are so excited to see him, do you know what I mean?
0:47:05 > 0:47:07They are excited cos their family are here,
0:47:07 > 0:47:09and their friends and whoever they wanted to invite,
0:47:09 > 0:47:12but the main thing that they speak about is "Robbie's coming"!
0:47:12 > 0:47:14He just means so much to them.
0:47:16 > 0:47:21I'll see what you get today, I'll be looking out for your certificate.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23Hi, Russell, how you doing?
0:47:23 > 0:47:29- How are you doing?- Fine.- Fine? How's it going?- Fine.
0:47:29 > 0:47:31..Back up what you were saying.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34Because there is a mass of certificates here,
0:47:34 > 0:47:38but it's all hard work and there's As and Bs here galore -
0:47:38 > 0:47:40so, Russell, for a start.
0:47:40 > 0:47:41Russell.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44APPLAUSE
0:47:45 > 0:47:48Easter Anguston offers vocational training
0:47:48 > 0:47:52and the charity makes a real difference to people's lives.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55It's a great day for everyone concerned
0:47:55 > 0:47:58and holds a special place for Robbie.
0:48:09 > 0:48:13Early September and the pinnacle of Robbie's games calendar
0:48:13 > 0:48:17is upon him - the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21It's a big day with members of the royal family in attendance.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25In the meantime, there's the small matter of commentating
0:48:25 > 0:48:27on the actual events on the field.
0:48:28 > 0:48:34Commentating duties are shared by Robbie and Robert.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36Robert has done this now...
0:48:36 > 0:48:39He's been my assistant now for about six years.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41We get to know each other.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46I get excited about something over there, a record being broken
0:48:46 > 0:48:50and Robert gets excited about something in the tug-of-war.
0:48:50 > 0:48:55If we hear each other we go "Oh, sorry!" and on we go again.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59A round of applause, ladies and gentlemen. Well done, Invercauld.
0:48:59 > 0:49:00The runners up. Balmoral...
0:49:00 > 0:49:05As the crowd waits in anticipation for the arrival of the royal party,
0:49:05 > 0:49:08another well-known face is in attendance.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11I've been trying to do some pieces to camera
0:49:11 > 0:49:14but there is this continual noise in the background
0:49:14 > 0:49:18which is someone on the Tannoy and I did ask, "Who is that?"
0:49:18 > 0:49:23And they said, "Have you never heard of Robbie Shepherd? That's him!"
0:49:23 > 0:49:24And I said, "Does he ever stop?"
0:49:24 > 0:49:27And they said, "No, there will be no gaps!"
0:49:27 > 0:49:31And a woman behind me said, "He is much more famous than you are."
0:49:31 > 0:49:33So, now I know.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35I've been a fan of yours for years.
0:49:35 > 0:49:37Hello, there. It's very nice to meet you.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39I'm sorry I was trying to talk over you!
0:49:39 > 0:49:42Well, I thought you were here to take the mickey out of me...
0:49:42 > 0:49:44- No, sadly.- ..for over-speaking.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50- That would be pretty rich coming from me.- I just wondered.
0:49:50 > 0:49:52THEY LAUGH
0:49:52 > 0:49:55- You do the presentation to the Queen, don't you?- Yes.
0:49:55 > 0:49:59They told me that and I'm making a programme about Queen Victoria
0:49:59 > 0:50:01and I thought, "I wonder if he did that for her?"
0:50:01 > 0:50:03Thank you very much.
0:50:03 > 0:50:07This is typical you coming back now, I thought I wouldn't get off easy.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12And then I thought, "No, that's just stupid."
0:50:15 > 0:50:20Robbie and Esma's son Gordon has travelled home for the games.
0:50:20 > 0:50:24Despite perhaps being a reluctant attendee in his youth,
0:50:24 > 0:50:28he now appreciates what a day like Braemar means.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31I know. I thought Mum said bring the wellies but don't need them.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35Oh, no. Wellies at Braemar?!
0:50:35 > 0:50:38- Sun cream. - Where's your upbringing, man?
0:50:38 > 0:50:42'Most years from about age three or four, I would get dragged along
0:50:42 > 0:50:44'to the Highland shows'
0:50:44 > 0:50:46and all the rest of it.
0:50:46 > 0:50:50I got to my teenage years and I guess you grow out of it a little,
0:50:50 > 0:50:52start to listen to a strange kind of music
0:50:52 > 0:50:56and the Highland scene isn't so trendy. But now,
0:50:56 > 0:50:58I'm older and wiser, hopefully,
0:50:58 > 0:51:01and I enjoy it a lot more and tend to come every year.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03Especially to Braemar.
0:51:03 > 0:51:08There is a pressure, I will say, that's unlike the rest
0:51:08 > 0:51:12and that pressure is the build-up to the royalty coming in.
0:51:14 > 0:51:20This will see my commentator Robert Lovie take on a different role
0:51:20 > 0:51:27very shortly as he will be singing the national anthem.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31I'm there to acknowledge the presence of the royal family
0:51:31 > 0:51:35and I don't know until the morning of the gathering
0:51:35 > 0:51:36as to who is coming.
0:51:36 > 0:51:42- Do you think, Robert, we have a good view?- A grand view(!)
0:51:51 > 0:51:54This year, Her Majesty The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh
0:51:54 > 0:51:56and Prince Charles are present.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58HE HUMS A NOTE
0:52:02 > 0:52:03Robbie, I see him.
0:52:17 > 0:52:22# God save our gracious Queen
0:52:22 > 0:52:27# Long live our noble Queen
0:52:27 > 0:52:32# God save the Queen
0:52:32 > 0:52:37# Send her victorious
0:52:37 > 0:52:42# Happy and glorious
0:52:42 > 0:52:48# Long to reign over us
0:52:48 > 0:52:55# God save the Queen. #
0:52:55 > 0:52:57APPLAUSE
0:52:57 > 0:53:00'Then I start. That's it.'
0:53:00 > 0:53:06I mean, I'm not the tallest of guys, but if I can do my speech
0:53:06 > 0:53:10jumping up and down, then I might make a better job of it.
0:53:10 > 0:53:18Your Majesty, your Royal Highnesses, my lords, ladies and gentlemen,
0:53:18 > 0:53:23once again on behalf of the Braemar Royal Highland Society,
0:53:23 > 0:53:26it is our privilege to welcome you to the gathering here,
0:53:26 > 0:53:30in the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park.
0:53:31 > 0:53:37We are delighted this year to extend congratulations on another role -
0:53:37 > 0:53:40that of a doting great-grandmother.
0:53:40 > 0:53:44I'm sure you wouldn't agree with...
0:53:44 > 0:53:48APPLAUSE
0:53:48 > 0:53:53I'm sure you wouldn't agree with the father's comments - albeit
0:53:53 > 0:53:57with a wide grin - describing the young prince as
0:53:57 > 0:53:58"a wee bit of a rascal"
0:53:58 > 0:54:03or as we would say here in the north-east of Scotland,
0:54:03 > 0:54:05a wee el trickit nickim.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08That is the one moment,
0:54:08 > 0:54:10that I do this when I'm finished.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14"Thank goodness that is over and I haven't blundered!" You know?
0:54:23 > 0:54:27With royal duties complete, it's back to commentating.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35I'm proud today, I must say,
0:54:35 > 0:54:37I'm very proud to have been asked,
0:54:37 > 0:54:40to be privileged to have done it for 40 years.
0:54:52 > 0:54:59INDISTINCT
0:54:59 > 0:55:01..And goodbye, thanks again.
0:55:03 > 0:55:07I think that went really well, it was great! I think I sang OK.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10Robbie's speech was wonderful - a wee bit of Doric humour in there.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14The crowd was with it, so it was fine, was great. Loved it!
0:55:14 > 0:55:19ROBBIE SPEAKS IN BACKGROUND
0:55:22 > 0:55:27It's mid-November and another games season has come and gone.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31Robert and Robbie reflect on a successful year
0:55:31 > 0:55:36where their traditions and culture seem as strong as ever.
0:55:36 > 0:55:41A lot of people said to me, years ago, when you were a young lad watching me,
0:55:41 > 0:55:47"Doric's dead. Doric's dead - just dinnae bother, Robbie. You're wasting your time."
0:55:47 > 0:55:50I never felt I was wasting my time.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52Someone would ask, "What is Doric, anyway?"
0:55:52 > 0:55:56It's the tongue my father used, my grandfather used and that before,
0:55:56 > 0:55:59and you follow that same kind of principle as me.
0:55:59 > 0:56:03Definitely. What I learned growing up as you come up from a little loon,
0:56:03 > 0:56:07entertaining and singing cornkisters and bothy ballads.
0:56:07 > 0:56:11When I was learning, I was always listening to what other folk were doing,
0:56:11 > 0:56:13what I learned quickly was all the people I looked up to -
0:56:13 > 0:56:15you included so much, Robbie -
0:56:15 > 0:56:17one of the greatest assets was that all people
0:56:17 > 0:56:21I tuned into were speaking the Doric, they were speaking the language.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24And I thought, "This is going to be a great asset to use."
0:56:24 > 0:56:27And I learnt it, I didn't hide it, didn't put it behind.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30Use it to your own benefit, and it has been one of the greatest assets.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32Because wherever I've gone in the world to entertain,
0:56:32 > 0:56:35I've used my tongue and it has always been greatly appreciated.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38Because folk love to hear a dialect and an accent.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40It's so very distinguishable.
0:56:40 > 0:56:45People love it and you've found that. It's been a great part of your job as well.
0:56:45 > 0:56:49Meanwhile in Lonach Hall, there is a special evening of music
0:56:49 > 0:56:51arranged for Robbie.
0:56:51 > 0:56:56He knows something's afoot, but is not quite sure what.
0:56:56 > 0:57:00- Well, should we be moving up the road, Robbie? - Aye, you're taking me to Lonach.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02- Aye, we're heading up to Lonach. - You know what's happening?
0:57:02 > 0:57:06- I'll come with you because it's getting chilly here. - Come on, let's go!
0:57:06 > 0:57:08MAN: One, two...
0:57:13 > 0:57:16PIPERS BEGIN
0:57:26 > 0:57:27How are you?
0:57:30 > 0:57:32Oh, my God!
0:57:34 > 0:57:36Oh, my God!
0:57:36 > 0:57:39CHEERING
0:57:46 > 0:57:48Robbie Shepherd MBE.
0:57:49 > 0:57:53It is testament to the regard in which Robbie is held
0:57:53 > 0:57:57that the room tonight is filled with family, friends, musicians,
0:57:57 > 0:58:00and even a special guard of honour by the men of Lonach.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07Robbie Shepherd, we will always be looking for you.
0:58:10 > 0:58:11Come on, join in.
0:58:11 > 0:58:15# When the horse are in the stable
0:58:15 > 0:58:20# And the kye are in the byre
0:58:20 > 0:58:24# And the hard day's work is over
0:58:24 > 0:58:29# And the auld folks roond the fire
0:58:29 > 0:58:33# I go slipping through the heather
0:58:33 > 0:58:37# Tae the fairm ahint the hill
0:58:37 > 0:58:42# Jist tae see ma bonnie lassie
0:58:42 > 0:58:50# By the auld meal mill. #
0:58:50 > 0:58:52APPLAUSE AND CHEERING